Winchell Lake is a 40-acre area with the surrounding lands owned by the Provincial Government and the County, located south of Water Valley on Range Road 52. The area is a popular fishing spot and offers great wildlife viewing opportunities. The lake is approximately 12-acres located 30 km NW of Cochrane and consists of a small day-use area that provides access to good sport fishing opportunities. A boat launch is available for public use. The lake is stocked annually by AEP with trout and aerated in the winter through ACA’s Lake Aeration Program. Wooden pallets are placed along the shoreline. We recommend rubber boots as the shoreline is boggy and wet.
Winchell Lake is also known for its great wildlife and birding area.
Some background information, provided by Mountain View County on the signage at the lake talks about Frank and Elizabeth Winchell, who built their log home just west of the lake around 1910. The home became known as Winchell’s Stopping House as their home was open to the many travelers who were visiting or passing through the area.