Fishing in Northern Saskatchewan

Enjoyed the last week of July with my son Chris at a great fishing camp in northern Saskatchewan named Scott Lake Lodge. The fishing takes place in both northern Saskatchewan and the North West Territories. The goal is trophy fish; pike over 40", trout over 35", and arctic grayling over 15". The lakes are all leased from the government and the fishing in those lakes is exclusive to the guests of the lodge (maximum 26 guests).

The camp is lovely with well appointed pine cabins, a great spa, a lovely dining room and a fantastic deck wrapped around the dining area.(There is a hot tub too!) This is fishing in style.

The day starts about 8:30 a.m. at which time you head to a location that you and your guide discussed the previous night...it could be a 'fly out' to one of several choice locations. The advantage of not flying out is that you can fish on the very large local lake and experience some fabulous shore lunches.

Day 1

What a fantastic day ....we started with sunshine. Chris hooked the first fish, which was about 28 inches long. 




The first fish was destined to be our lunch so the pressure was off.....we knew we wouldn't be hungry! I then hooked a big pike - about 33 inches long.

 

 

Our lunch was amazing - freshly fried chips and our first pike of the day.

 

 

The seagulls became interested in our meal since it smelled so good.

 

After a hearty lunch, we were back at it. We caught several small pike, then I landed a 28 inch trout. Chris then hooked one. Rain blew in and we donned our rain gear...

 

 

Our guide Graham (above)...all suited up.

 

Then the sun returned and so did our luck... our last fish of the day was a 37 inch pike, 3 inches short of trophy size.  

Celebratory drinks to end the day.

Day 2

We woke to a rather grey day but were hopeful for some breaks in the sky. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be and our flight to search for grayling was cancelled. Then it basically rained all day. Thank goodness for gortex.

We trolled for trout first and caught 2 reasonably-sized ones. Then caught some pike for lunch, which was again a treat! The afternoon saw more trout.

Total yesterday: 14 pike, 2 trout. 
Today's total: 6 pike, 4 trout.

 

 

 

Day 3 

 

Today we flew to Desmarais Lake where we searched for grayling, very successfully. Chris caught about 30 and I caught about 20.  In addition , we caught 2 trophy fish each. It was a great morning. In the afternoon it was back to pike fishing, which was most enjoyable in quiet bays with the sun shining. We got about another 10 fish but a trophy pike still eludes us...maybe tomorrow!

 

Day 4 - The pictures say it all

 

Chris caught over 30 pike with a trophy fish at 40 inches. I caught fewer, but did catch 2 trophy fish, one at 40 inches and the second at 42.5 inches.