Whitetail Lake lies in a valley in the Purcell Mountains about 28 km from Columbia Lake in the East Kootenays.  Access is by the Findlay Creek Forest Service Road near Canal Flats.    The final section is on the Whitetail FSR to the Whitetail Lake recreation Site.   The lake is a destination for camping and fishing, but we traveled out there to paddle the lake in our kayaks.

The lake had the clear blue-green water from marl shoals.

Surrounding the lake are forested hills with snow-mantled higher peaks of the Purcell Mountains providing a scenic backdrop.

We paddled the 9 km lakeshore on a calm and sunny day, enjoying the peaceful mountain lake.

Whitetail Lake is managed by the Ministry of Environment as a trophy lake, stocked with Gerrard trout and brook trout.   We spotted many of the fish in the clear waters below our kayaks.

We had good access for launching and parking at the Whitetail Lake Recreation Site.   For recreational paddling, this is a recommended destination while visiting the East Kootenays.