Amongst the sprawling open prairies and the heavily forested areas of the province of Saskatchewan lie thousands of lakes and ponds with more than 60,000 square kilometres of fishable waters.
Some lakes are noticeable, and some are hidden, but all offer up the calm and peace that anglers are looking for. There is nothing more satisfying during the coldness of winter than to pull up a walleye, northern pike, perch, whitefish, lake trout, or burbot while soaking up some of the best of the Canadian wilderness. Even some of the most popular places to drop a line in will provide you with the chance to witness the beauty of silence and the uniqueness of this province.
Ice fishing has long been a popular winter sport in the province, so there are plenty of places where locals have set up fishing huts for the season.
Before you head out, you should ensure that you carry the right equipment and gear and are prepared for unpredictable winter weather.
If you don’t have your own equipment, never fear; we have included some outfitters that will provide you with everything you require to spend some time on the ice. Don’t forget that if you are over 16, you will need a valid fishing license for the province.
On Family day weekend, you can ice fish for free without a license.
Tobin Lake
Named one of the top ice fishing spots in Canada, Tobin Lake is well known for its trophy fish. It still holds the record for the largest walleye pulled out during the winter months. Fisherpersons can find themselves catching walleye, perch, pike, burbot, whitefish and goldeye here. Be aware that the ice thickness can vary, as there is flowing water in parts of the lake. Ice fishing shacks are available for rental, and accommodations can be found at several local resorts.
Lake Diefenbaker
Whether you are fishing in summer or winter here, the experience is exceptional. The lake, a large reservoir, is considered one of the best fishing spots in the province. A variety of fish can be caught in this vast lake, including walleye, northern pike, perch, whitefish, lake trout and burbot.
Because of the length of the lake at 225 kilometres, there are multiple areas in which to set up your ice fishing operations and you will be able to see loads of fishing shacks set up for the season, but there is plenty of room for everyone who wants to throw a line into the water.
There are opportunities to rent shacks or tents if you want or take advantage of using an operator to give you the best experience (see next listing). There is even a chance to glam camp and icefish!
For summer road trip featuring Lake Diefenbaker: Grasslands National Park to Prince Albert National Park
Fishing Geeks
This is not a place to fish but a company you can count on to provide you with an incredible ice-fishing experience. They primarily work on Lake Diefenbaker and hold several records for amazing catches.
The family-owned and operated business has been around for more than 60 years, so you know that they have already sussed out the very best fishing spots on the Lake. They will take care of everything you need to have a fantastically fun and successful ice fishing experience.
Swede Lake
This is one of those lakes that is potentially not as well known as some of the others on this list, but if you are looking for a true off-the-beaten-track place to ice fish, then this is the lake for you.
Swede Lake is right across the road from Nesslin Lake, and during the winter you need to either have a snowmobile to get down and across the lake or be willing to hoof it on foot or snowshoes down the hill and out to a good fishing spot. You will have to leave your vehicle on the road, as there is nowhere specific to park. The entrance is on the left-hand side of the road, across from the entrance to Nesslin Lake campground.
Though a good place to catch both walleye and northern pike, if you head to the north end of the lake be aware that the ice thickness may vary as there is some flowing water.
Directly across from the summer boat launch, on the other side of the lake near the shore is a great place to set up a fishing tent and drill some holes. You most likely won’t see anyone else here, and the quietness of the wilderness is a much-appreciated bonus. A great place to stay in the area is Ness Creek, just a short distance down the road.
Last Mountain Lake
Many locals agree that Last Mountain Lake is a favourite ice fishing spot, so while you may think that this may be a crowded space, in reality, there is tons of room for everyone to get a great spot to drill a couple of holes and throw some lines in.
At 93 kilometres long, the lake has plenty of space for everyone who wants to try their hand at ice fishing for giant walleye, pike, perch and carp.
If you’re after walleye, local anglers suggest heading out near the stone barn at Grandview Beach just after the first ice or try near Sarnia Beach. A healthy population of fish almost guarantees a great catch every time you go out.
Book with a local operator to get the best of local knowledge and experience, as well as make the most of getting every detail taken care of.
Buffalo Pound Lake
An excellent place to drop a line for perch, this is a good family-friendly lake that never disappoints. There’s a chance to catch walleye as well if you are patient, and there are northern pike in the lake to be caught too.
This is a stocked lake that tends to be very popular in the winter months, and you don’t even need to go far out from the boat launch area to be successful. Being located close to Regina makes this an easy place to get out just for the day if you live in the area.
Qu’Appelle Lakes (Pasqua, Echo, Mission and Katepwa)
A series of four small lakes, some people overlook these when they are considering heading out for ice fishing. However, the lakes are extremely accessible, making them an excellent destination for those who want someplace easy to get to, but they also hold a lot of fish, so successful fishing is decently accessible.
There is an impressive number of species to be caught in these lakes, including walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, whitefish, burbot, ciscoes, channel catfish, rock bass, bullheads, big mouth buffalo, and carp, among others. If you want to stay in the area, try the Valley Cabin Rentals in Fort Qu’Appelle.
Delaronde Lake
A huge lake that provides excellent fishing during the summer, this lake also allows an incredible number of northern pike and walleye to be caught during the winter months.
It is possible to drive onto the lake, and you will see both trucks and snowmobiles making their way across the ice in search of a great spot. Double-check to make sure the ice is thick enough if you are driving past the existing ice shacks or follow the tracks of vehicles that have already been exploring.
On a nice day, you won’t even need a tent or a shack – just drill some holes, set up your chair and line, and sit back, ready to catch all you can.
Waskesiu Lake
Located within Prince Albert National Park, the little resort town of Waskesiu makes a perfect base for some time out on the ice. This large lake hosts walleye, yellow perch and northern pike, and some good sizes of fish can be pulled out of the water here. You can stay in the town itself and easily get out onto the ice for some fishing with little effort.
During the winter months, it is a lot quieter here than during the summers, so it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy some peace and quiet while you are waiting to catch a big one. Not to mention that it is amazingly beautiful and you can catch sight of the northern lights on clear evenings.
Cree Lake Lodge
A bit more off the beaten track, Cree Lake Lodge may be known to some as a fantastic summer fishing lodge, but in reality, you can get some great ice fishing time out here as well. A family-owned and operated business, the details are taken care of for you, including finding the best place to drill your holes.
This world-class fishing destination is just that – a destination. You need to dedicate the time to spend at this remote fishing lodge, as it is not just a day trip out. Comfortable private cabins and good food await you on this fishing adventure.