Saskatchewan fishing holes

Curling might be Saskatchewan's official sport, but provincial and international anglers give fishing in Saskatchewan two enthusiastic thumbs up. This province boasts nearly 100,000 lakes, mostly in the north of the province, most connected by the provincial river systems.

“Many of Saskatchewan's northern fly-in lodges have a significant number of clients from the United States,” says Daryl Demoskoff, media relations coordinator for Tourism Saskatchewan, “while the drive-in lodges and other fishing destinations are frequented by both in-province fishing enthusiasts and northern-tier and midwestern U.S. fishermen.”

When you're talking about the fishing season, Saskatchewan splits off into three separate management regions: Northern, Southern and Central.

“There are many great areas for beginners to fish in the province," says Demoskoff. "In the southern part of the province, some of the more popular waters include Lake Diefenbaker, Last Mountain Lake and the fishing lakes of the Qu'Appelle Valley, Tobin Lake, and the Saskatchewan River. As you move further north, the lakes along the Hanson Lake Road, Lac La Ronge and lakes in Meadow Lake Provincial Park are quite popular.”

Southern Saskatchewan
Fishing season in the southern part of Saskatchewan runs from May 6, 2006, to March 31, 2007. The lakes here are easily accessible with provincial parks offering great fishing opportunities for the whole family. Southern Saskatchewan fishing gems include Lake Diefenbaker, Last Mountain Lake, Tobin Lake, and the lakes of the Qu'Appelle Valley. Walleye, perch, stocked trout, pike and carp are the fish of choice in this area.

Central Saskatchewan
This year's fishing season in central Saskatchewan runs from May 20, 2006, to March 31, 2007. Central Saskatchewan has some of the best drive-in and fly-in fishing in the world. Walleye, trophy pike and lake trout are plentiful here.

Northern Saskatchewan
The season in the northern part of the province runs from May 25, 2006, to April 15, 2007. Northern Saskatchewan is home to more than 200 fly-in and drive-in fishing camps and it's in this part of the province that you'll find the more remote fishing spots. It's here that seasoned fishermen and women come to hook the prized Arctic grayling, a fish found in the coldest and clearest waters.

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