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text
by George Gruenefeld
illustration by Robert Biron |
October - Northern Pike,
Tobin Lake, Saskatchewan
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Picture
this: A trophy-class pike lake set against a backdrop of blue
skies and blazing autumn cottonwoods, with aggressive northerns
cruising along a massive, flat weedbed—and there’s
not another angler in sight. For most of October that’s
pretty much the norm on Saskatchewan’s Tobin Lake, located
275 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon. Created in 1963 by the
damming of the Saskatchewan River, Tobin boasts more than 75,000
acres of sandy shoals, shallow bays and submerged timber—more
than enough structure to make any pike hunter’s heart
race. The reservoir earned its reputation early on as a monster-pike
fishery after producing plenty of northerns weighing 15 to 24
pounds (not to mention one 38-pound brute). While heavy fishing
pressure took its toll in the late ’70s and early ’80s,
the imposition of slot limits and the resurgence of primary
baitfish have helped Tobin retain its rep as one of Saskatchewan’s
top road-accessible pike destinations. The only difference today
is that virtually all the large pike are released, allowing
them to grow even bigger to fight again on a beautiful October
day.
TACKLE
AND TECHNIQUE
| BEYOND
PIKE |
| Tobin
Lake is legendary for its walleye fishing, both
in numbers and sizes. Prime spots are Pemican Point,
Carroll’s Cove, Pruden’s Point and along
the old riverbed. Yellow perch are also abundant
in the shallows of the main lake, and in many of
the bays. |
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Try casting
spoons and crankbaits in the bay just around the corner from
Eagle’s Nest. Or try fishing large deer-hair jigs at the
drop-off across from Tobin Bay Resort Village. Trolling large
minnow imitations along the shore around the corner from the
resort, as well as from Pruden’s Point to Reimer’s
Landing on the west side of the lake, is also productive. For
true trophies, try casting large spoons and big minnow-imitation
cranks in the shallow, weedy waters of Petaigan Bay.
GETTING THERE
From Saskatoon, take Highway 41 to Melfort, then Highway 3 to
Tisdale. Next go north on Highway 35 through Nipawin (the highway
eventually follows the northwest shore of Tobin Lake). Route
255 provides access to the southeastern shore, while Route 123
runs along the shore downstream to the E.B. Campbell Dam.
BEYOND
TOBIN LAKE
Looking
for more local pike hot spots? Also try:
•
Codette Lake
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Saskatchewan River |
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LOCAL
EXPERTS
• Garry
Debienne, (306) 862-5954
•
Gary Simon, (306) 768-2886
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Lawrence Sochaski, (306) 277-4530
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FOR
MORE INFO
• Town
of Nipawin, 1-877-647-2946;
www.nipawin.com
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Tourism Saskatchewan, 1-877-237-2273; www.sasktourism.com
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Saskatchewan Environment, www.se.gov.sk.ca |
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| BACK
TO HOT SPOTS |
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