20 SASKATCHEWAN HOT SPOTS FOR WORLD-CLASS PIKE FISHING

SASKATCHEWAN: NORTHERN PIKE

Why this is one of Canada’s must-have fishing experiences

If you like toothy critters, start planning a visit to Saskatchewan. That’s because the province’s vast, roadless north country, with its innumerable lakes surrounded by scrubby boreal forest, offers the perfect conditions for producing pike in such quantities and of such gargantuan sizes that it beggars belief.

Without question, northern Saskatchewan offers the best pike fishing in Canada and, arguably, the world. Farther south (and north) of this magic region, pike—even the ones stretching to trophy lengths—are often snaky creatures, all teeth and head. These northerns, however, are long and thick, with bulging, powerful bodies that perfectly balance their great, fearsome maws.

Even better, thanks to the chilly water temperatures, northern Saskatchewan’s mighty pike inhabit shallow water for much of the season. That means the most effective fishing tactic is also one of the most fun: casting simple, classic lures, sometimes even to individual fish. And it’s heaven for fly anglers, too, offering those of even modest skills a chance to battle a truly large fish on the fly. The way a huge Saskatchewan northern explodes on a lure or fly in 18 inches of water is an experience unlike any other in Canadian fishing. And it’s one we should all be lucky enough to have.

WHEN TO GO: June to September

HOT TACTIC: Sight-casting flies or hardware in the shallows

LEARN MORE: www.tourismsaskatchewan.com

THE HOT SPOTS

1. Cree Lake
2. Cree River
3. Doré Lake
4. Hatchet Lake
5. Jan Lake
6. Lake Athabasca
7. Lake Diefenbaker
8. Last Mountain Lake
9. North Saskatchewan River
10. Qu’Appelle River
11. Rafferty Dam Reservoir
12. Reindeer Lake
13. Scott Lake
14. Selwyn Lake
15. South Saskatchewan River
16. Tazin Lake
17. Tobin Lake
18. Turtle Lake
19. Wapata Lake
20. Wollaston Lake