The fish to catch and the fine print
Saskatchewan's best catches
There are 68 species of fish in Saskatchewan's waters. Here are some of the most common catches:
Northern pike With an average weight of between one and 2.5 kilograms, northern pike are a good fishing bet in Saskatchewan. The record for a northern pike caught in the province is 19.41 kilograms!
Lake trout Native to Saskatchewan, the lake trout weighs in at an average of one to 1.5 kilograms.
Walleye Saskatchewan's provincial fish gravitates toward deeper waters.
Yellow perch This small fish, averaging 250 grams, hangs out near sandy bottoms.
Rainbow trout Stocked in Saskatchewan lakes, the rainbow trout weighs in at between 0.5 and 1.8 kilograms.
Brook trout This species has an average weight of 0.5 to 1 kilogram.
Arctic grayling Also called the “sailfish of the north," the Arctic grayling is found in northern Saskatchewan's cold lakes and fast-moving streams.
Suggested Saskatchewan stops
Tobin Lake
Located a half hour's drive from Nipawin, Tobin Lake is well-known for its walleye and pike fishing. On January 4, 2005, Father Mariusz Zajac, a Catholic priest known for his interpretation of "the good book", made his mark in the record books when he hauled in an 18.3-pound walleye, a world walleye record for ice fishing. Father Mariusz reportedly was reflecting on Luke 1:45-55 at the divine moment and now offers up those God-praising biblical verses as a tip to fellow anglers.
The Lakes of the Qu'Appelle Valley
Located about an hour northeast of Regina, the Qu'Appelle lakes are good bets for walleye and perch fishing. Collectively called the Calling Lakes, Katepwa, Mission, Echo and Pasqua are popular haunts for visitors and locals alike.
Don't forget the fine print!
For more information on Saskatchewan's fishing regulations and licences, visit the Saskatchewan Environment website.
2006/2007 licence fees
Saskatchewan resident: $30 annually, $15 for three days
Canadian resident: $60 annually, $30 for three days
Non-resident: $80 annually, $40 for three days
Saskatchewan seniors: $10.70 annually
(Three-day licences not available for the northern zone.)
2006/2007 opening and closing dates
Northern zone: opens May 25, 2006, and closes April 15, 2007.
Central zone: opens May 20, 2006, and closes March 31, 2007.
Southern zone: opens May 6, 2006, and closes March 31, 2007.
For more information on fun and fishing in Saskatchewan, take a virtual trip to:
Tourism Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Provincial Parks
Saskatchewan Outfitter's Association
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