Our family did this trip in the end of April 2012. We were looking for a spring trip and a southerly location to escape the endless spring in Smithers...
Normally I would not venture on to this lake in the summer months as the temp is ++ and the use of the lake by motor craft is also ++.
However, spring we found was very quiet and so I assume would be late fall.
We spent 13 days and paddled 110km.
Our trip began at Newport Beach near the N end of the N arm.
Camping along the route was 90% at rec sites and prov parks. Prov parks were great as there was always playgrounds for the kids and hiking for exploring. We even found a few great lake side campsites with no homes nearby.
Here is a list of the campsites from N to S: (#1-5 W side - #6-8 E side)
1) Evely rec site
2) Fintry Pro Park (excellent location with cool pioneer history and hiking)
3) Bens Cove (14km south of Fintry and just south of Reid Cr - a un-marked camp on a great little point)
4) Bear Cr Prov Park
5) Boucherie Point (privately run campground - we crossed over to the E side (Okanagan Mtn Park) after this camp)
6) Reluctant Dragon Cove rec site
7) Commando Bay rec site
8) Lake side camp-just south of Chute Cr and N of Naramata

Overall this was a great early season trip. The only challenging water we paddled was getting caught in a squall S of "Squally Point" in the early afternoon when the winds routinely picked up.
Would also be an excellent trip for folks/families starting out canoeing as the climate is easy, warm, bug free and lots of established camping options.

Learnings from the trip:

* again realized that even though the location is no where near remote...we enjoyed and excellent trip as early spring (pre may long weekend) most lakeside cabins are empty and so is the lake
* prov parks are a nice option - especially the play grounds for the kids
* early morning crossings are usually calmer
* winds pick up in the afternoon
* using a sail is limited to mod winds...low wind the sail was slower than paddling and stronger winds we found we wanted our paddles in the water for stability
* bogg or muck style boots are great for in/out of the canoe and around camp...

Next trip post: Stuart, Trembleur Lk, Tachie River loop Fall 2012...

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L&B Smithers BC