History
The Chilanko Forks settlement was established in 1947. In 1982, Chilanko Forks officially became a BC community.
The Chilanco Forks Post Office was opened on September 1st, 1907, and closed on July 31st, 1918. It reopened on October 3rd, 1963 as the Chilanko Forks Post Office.
Location
Chilanko Forks is the site of a crossroad on Hwy 20, about 35 miles (60 km) west of Alexis Creek. There are two important recreational areas to explore in the area: the Chilanko Forks Wildlife Management Area and Puntzi Lake.
Places to See
- Chilanko Forks Wildlife Management Area
The Chilanko Forks Wildlife Management Area is a protected marshland on Hwy 20 that is home to more than 52 species of birds.
- Puntzi Lake
Just north of Chilanko Forks is the renowned Puntzi Lake, a feeding area for white pelicans in the spring and summer, and for trumpeter swans from fall to winter.
Things to Do
- Bird Watching
Bird watching in the Chilanko Forks Wildlife Management Area is best from May through early September. Waterfowl species include Green-winged, Blue-winged and Cinnamon Teal, Northern Shoveler, Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead and Ruddy Duck. Edge areas are visited by Sharp-tailed Grouse, Common Snipe, Marsh Wren and Yellow-headed Blackbird. From May to mid-September, American Beaver and Muskrat are visible. Moose visit the area in winter from mid December to March.
- Fishing
You can fish for trout and kokanee at Puntzi Lake, which features a fishing derby on the last weekend in June. The ice fishing is also good, particularly for whitefish in January. Much effort has gone into Puntzi's Kokanee and Rainbow enhancement program. As a result, Puntzi is a consistent producer of 1 1/2 lb (and better) Kokanee and Rainbow from May through October. Fly fishing meets with good success in the early and late part of the season, while spinning and trolling gear do well all the time, and are the most popular method.
- Camping
There is a lightly-used, open-site BCFS campsite available at Puntzi Lake.
- Hunting
Hire an experienced guide and journey into BC's Caribou-Chilcotin area to hunt mountain goats, grizzly bears, black bears, moose, mule deer, and cougars.
- Hiking
There are trails at Puntzi Lake, and hikers can explore the badlands of the Chilcotin Plateau on trails in the vicinity of Farwell Canyon.
- Winter Sports
Punti Lake freezes during the winter, allowing visitors to go skating or ice fishing. The surrounding area also has many trails for snowmobiling or cross-country skiing.
Events
- Puntzi Lake Fishing Derby
Kids love the annual Puntzi Lake fishing derby because they can catch fish by the pound. The derby accepts coarse fish, which are easy to catch, and the winner is measured by the total pounds caught. Adult prizes are awarded for the largest rainbow and largest kokanee caught.
The event runs July 7 to 9.
