Williamson Lake, a popular destination for fishing and recreation, had been under a strict fishing ban, with signs posted warning of the dangers of fishing with swimmers in the area. However, this has been a problem for many residents, who value the lake as a family-friendly venue for both fishing and swimming. • In July 2020, a resident named Jennifer-Lyn Bowden was informed that her son Jayden had been denied access to the lake due to a sign posted by the caretakers, stating that fishing was no longer allowed due to a recent incident where a child’s foot had been hooked by a fishing line. • The lake had previously been closed to fishers due to the incident, and later partially scaled back to prohibit fishing whenever swimmers were in the lake. • Bowden, a lifelong resident of Arrow Heights, was concerned about the loss of her sons’ fishing opportunities and the potential impact on her community. • She remembered her own childhood fishing experiences at the lake and the joy it brought her family. A local organization, the Revelstoke Rod and Gun Club, has been actively involved in promoting fishing and providing opportunities for children to learn how to fish. The club’s Father’s Day fish event is a popular annual event, where children can learn to cast a line and spend quality time with their fathers. • The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC brings 500 rainbow trout up to the lake every June, along with perch that already inhabit the lake, to provide an opportunity for children to learn and practice their fishing skills in a safe environment. • The club supplies rods, bait, and other tackle for the event, making it accessible to children of all ages and skill levels. • The event is a great way for children to develop their angling skills while spending time with their fathers and enjoying the beauty of the lake. In an attempt to find a solution to the conflict between fishers and other lake users, the Rotary Club of Revelstoke donated a dock to the lake. However, this did not resolve the issue, as fishers and other users still had competing interests and concerns. • The Rotary Club’s donation was seen as a potential solution, but it did not address the underlying issue of safety and access for all lake users. • Bowden, a determined and resourceful resident, decided to take matters into her own hands and sought the help of the Freshwater Fisheries Society. • She approached the society’s Go Fish BC program, which provides recreational docks for lakes, and presented her proposal for a dedicated fishing dock at Williamson Lake. Bowden’s vision was to build a $25,000 L-shaped dock that would provide a safe and accessible fishing spot for the community. She organized a stakeholder meeting in 2021 to discuss the proposal and gather feedback from the city and the Splatsin tribe of the Salish-speaking Secwépemc Nation. • The meeting was a success, and the proposal was supported by the Revelstoke R&G Club, which agreed to install the dock in a location that would minimize interference with swimmers. • The lake’s existing swimming dock, which is slated for replacement, would be relocated to a more central location, providing more space for swimmers. • Bowden suggested that anglers try taking children out on small boats to improve access and safety. The project required land approval from the Crown, which took about a year to obtain. The land approval process was complicated by conflicting interests and concerns from various stakeholders. • Parks, recreation, and culture director Laurie Donato noted that the consultation process was not ideal, but it ultimately led to a solution that prioritized safety and accessibility for all lake users. • The dock has been built and is now ready for installation, but the Crown’s review process has taken longer than expected. • Donato is hopeful that the land tenure for the new fishing dock will be approved by the summer, and the dock will be installed soon after. Despite the delays, Bowden remains committed to her project and is excited to see her vision become a reality. She hopes that the new dock will provide a safe and accessible fishing spot for the community, and improve the overall recreational experience at Williamson Lake. The nearby Williamson Lake Campground is currently taking reservations and opens on May 9, offering a range of amenities and activities for visitors.

“I’m super happy with the fact that we’re going to end up with a dock whose sole purpose is for anglers,” said Jennifer-Lyn Bowden.