North Buck Lake

In late September, we took a trip north towards Lac La Biche. Our first stop was North Buck Lake, about 30 minutes west of Lac La Biche, near Caslan. There is a provincial park on the south end of the lake with a campsite and a day-use area.

The day-use area has pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits. The boat launch is a cement ramp with a dock and the water was very clear, even this late in the season. North Buck Lake is a big lake and it was a bit rough to the north (where the main lake is located). We decided to go west and south to stay out of the wind. A trop around the SW reach is about two or two-and-half hours of paddling.

It warmed up while we were paddling--you can see Jenn shucking layers as the photos progress.

The water was very clean and the bottom was sandy. The shore was reedy with sandy bits that give away to a mixed forest. While the "beaches" at the campsite were terrible, there were some large paddle-in beaches that were nice. There must be road access to them given the number of ATV tracks in the sand.

The water had weedier sections. There were very few birds to be seen, given the season.

We had a very nice paddle here and I'd go back in the summer. There is also nearby Chump Lake that looked good.

Below you can see one of the "beaches" for the campground. Mostly weeds with the swimming area buoys pushed ashore.

The campground gets super mixed reviews on google. It was clean but seems like a bit of a local party spot. I hear Chump Lake is more secluded.