There are many lakes and rivers on Vancouver Island that offer swimming and picnic areas and sometimes fishing. Below are a list of some that are not too far out of the way. Included are the names of the towns or cities that they are close to for reference.
Thetis Lake - Langford
Spectacle Lake - Malahat area
Shawnigan Lake - Shawnigan Lake (A lot of thought went into naming that town!)
Westwood Lak - Nanaimo
Horne Lake - north of Qualicum (there are caves 1km down the road from this lake tours and self-guiding is available)
Englishman River Falls - north of Nanoose Bay south of Parksville
Thetis Lake - Langford
Spectacle Lake - Malahat area
Shawnigan Lake - Shawnigan Lake (A lot of thought went into naming that town!)
Westwood Lak - Nanaimo
Horne Lake - north of Qualicum (there are caves 1km down the road from this lake tours and self-guiding is available)
Englishman River Falls - north of Nanoose Bay south of Parksville