Search for B.C.'s best lake: Round of 32

After competitions to find the bestneighbourhood in Metro Vancouverandsmall town in B.C., we're doing a contest that unites both groups heading to the best lake in the summertime.

Shawnigan vs. Cowichan. Skaha vs. Osoyoos. Christina vs. Kootenay. And can Trout Lake survive?

Justin McElroy CBC News Posted: Jul 25, 2023 9:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: July 25, 2023

A composite photo shows seagulls on the edge of a lake with rocky mountains in the background to the left and a path leading down to a forested lake with forested mountains in the background. — Alouette Lake, right, which has receded due to drought-like conditions, in Golden Ears Park in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022. Trout Lake, left, vs. Alouette Lake is one of the 16 matchups in the second round of the Search for B.C.'s Best Lake. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

When we asked British Columbians to tell us what the best lake in the province is, we received more than 600 submissions.

The lakes with the most nominations automatically advanced to the second round of our friendly competition, and they're a famed bunch, with ample opportunities for swimming, boating, or just finding a patch of sand and enjoying the view.

And then there's Trout Lake.

The trout people definitely have not ever left City of Vancouver
—@AliciaVPP

Trout lake isnt a lake, its a pond
—@Johnny_Tins

Why is trout lake on here? You like ecoli?
—@kokopolo

The East Vancouver lake might be part of one of the most beloved parks in the region, and a favourite spot for dog and farmers' markets alike, which is why it received over a dozen nominations.

However, at 0.04 square kilometres, it's by far the smallest "lake" left in the bracket. The water is frequently closed to humans due to high levels of E. coli. And the beach is frequently overrun by seagulls.

On a technical level, it would seem hard-pressed to defeat AlouetteLake, with its campgrounds and opportunities for windsurfing.

But what makes a good lake can mean different things to different people.

Recap of how it works!

After competitions to find the bestneighbourhood in Metro Vancouverandsmall town in B.C., we're doing a contest that unites both groups heading to the best lake in the summertime.

TheSearch for B.C.'s Best Lakebegan Monday, and over the next two weeks, we'll have a series of votes to (unofficially) determine which one is tops in the province.

A series of play-in votes narrowed the field down to 48 lakes, which we've divided into two sections, those in the southwest corner of the province (including Vancouver Island) and those beyond Hope.

In both sections, eight lakes received automatic byes to the second round including Trout Lake and they enter the competition today [July 25].

We'll go from32 lakes to 16, to 8, 4 and 2 until we crown a champion right before B.C. Day.

Voting will take place until 10 p.m. PT each day.

Happy voting and may the best lake win!

(If your vote is unable to go through on this page, click on the link below each ballot)