August 31, 2022
By David A. Brown
The undeniable surge in fishing participation spurred by pandemic-related limitations will no doubt carry into this year’s summer fishing season, and Saskatchewan’s pristine waters offer bountiful opportunities to indulge new and well-seasoned angling interests.
Abounding with trophy northern pike, whopper walleye, lunker lake trout, yellow perch, and whitefish, this landlocked province beckons the intrepid to revel in the natural splendor where black bears and bald eagles make their homes. The scenery is stunning, the fishing spectacular; and those willing to make the trip are typically rewarded with lifetime memories of personal bests.
Photo courtesy of Davin Lodge Travel commitments are typically significant, with a major airport several hours away; but that’s just the point—blissful detachment from the day-to-day hustle and bustle. With vast waters and willing fish replacing the daily grind with a daily wind, anglers depart with memories of amazing angling action and a deep sense of soulful relaxation.
Here’s a sampling of where you’ll find your natural nirvana.
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T&D Amisk Camp Dating back to the 1950s, T&D Amisk Camp traces its beginnings to a pair of simple cabins and a lodge house. Today, this fish camp on Amisk Lake’s south shore offers 10 modern cabins, a sheltered marina and fuel service— the ideal start to a big-fish adventure.
Cindy Oullet, who operates the camp with husband Nick, said the fishing is so good that their optional catch-and-release contest typically yields several incredible entries. Basically, anglers catching a northern pike over 29 1/2 inches and/or a walleye over 21 1/2 can photograph the fish against a measuring board and present the photo to the lodge.
T&D Amisk Camp “A 48-inch northern and a 32-inch walleye usually ends up winning (awards presented in October),” Cindy said of the photo-based contest. “Pike and walleyes are the main species, but you might also catch perch and whitefish. And in the winter, you may catch burbot.”
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With the first part of its name honoring two of the former owners—a father/son duo, Ted and Dean—the Amisk part is Cree for “beaver,” so it’s not uncommon to hear locals refer to these waters as Beaver Lake. Expanding on the area’s personality, the owners offer periodic presentations on local culture and history.
With the camp located on a limestone bedrock, the Oullets take guests on local fossil tours to find giant gastropods and cephalopods. There are also several Cree pictographs on exposed rock walls.
There are plenty of big northern pike at T&D Amisk Camp Cindy said guests should plan on bringing sleeping bags, towels, food, beverage and tackle. Cabins are equipped with inside kitchens and barbecue grills on outside decks.
Boat rentals are available, but private boats are welcome in the secure marina. A cleaning station, ice maker and deep freezer allows guests to prepare their catch for the trip home. Open year-round, T&D Amisk Camp also offers ice fishing packages with ice shack rental.
T&D Amisk Camp walleye fishing is also outstanding. Distant guests can fly into Saskatoon and rent a vehicle for the 6-hour drive, or continue on to Flin Flon Airport for an hour drive.
Here is more information about rates and packages .
Contact Info:
TD Amisk Camp
(639) 699-7171; tdamisk@gmail.com
Davin Lake Lodge The neighborhood’s lovely, but the lack of neighbors make this property particularly appealing. Danica Hodgson, who owns and operates Davin Lake Lodge alongside husband Matt, said guests enjoy fishing for big northerns, walleyes and lakers in pleasant solitude.
“We are the only lodge on our waters; we don’t have any competition on our lake, there’s no other access,” Danica said. “We’re exclusive and secluded. With 800 miles of shoreline, it’s pretty much untouched scenery.”
Davin Lodge features numbers of large northern pike. “Because we are the only lodge on our lake, we fall under Saskatchewan general catch limits and we have large take-home opportunities,” Danica said. “You can take home five pike, four walleyes and three lake trout.”
Noting the area’s historical elements, Danica points out that Davin Lake used to be part of the fur trade route. First Nations culture is also reminiscent in the indigenous pictographs found on the nearby Wathaman Outpost Lake.
Davin Lodge allows for a lifetime worth of memories. All you have to do is get there. Visit Davin Lodge! Family owned and operated, the Hodgson’s kids are on-site year-round and assist with various guest services on the dock, in the filet house, etc. The fishing’s all self-guided, but there’s plenty of advice and direction for those unfamiliar with the lake.
“We don’t have hired hands, or guides; we would rather save people the guide fee,” she said. “We provide good (verbal) guidance, and we have an excellent color-coded lake map. If someone needs us to go with them for a bit, that’s what we’ll do.”
The closest major airport, Saskatoon, is 8 hours south, but an 1,800-foot runway accommodates private plane arrival. Some take the daily flight from Saskatoon to La Ronge, then make a shorter drive, or board a charter flight into Davin Lake Lodge.
Here is more information about rates and packages .
Contact Info:
Davin Lake Lodge
(306) 700-5821; DavinLakeLodge@Outlook.com
Three Lakes Camp The potential for 30-pound northern pike and walleyes in the 7- to 9-pound range attracts anglers to this cozy camp on the shore of Doupe Bay. Named for its home waters of Jan Lake, along with Pelican and Mirond lakes, the property is idyllically located.
“Jan Lake is located on the Canadian Shield, so it’s full of islands and bays—lots of good structure for walleyes and pike fishing,” said Jasmine Hughes, who co-owns Three Lakes Camp with Ryan Cherny. “Jan Lake is actually located in a Saskatchewan ecological reserve, so there’s a small community on Doupe Bay, and there’s no other development on the rest of the lake.”
Three Lakes Camp As Hughes explained, Three Lakes Camp was built in the 1960s by an outpost pilot who saw the need for local lodging and the opportunity for a fishing destination. With the adjacent bodies of Jan, Pelican and Mirond pretty close in size, the “Three Lakes” name fit from Day 1.
The camp offers 13 units (cabin and motel options) fully furnished with linens, towels, complete kitchenettes and outdoor barbecue grills. Boat rentals are available, but with good local roads, private boats are welcome. Three Lakes Camp does not offer a guide service, but first-timers can request a free familiarization tour.
Three Lakes Camp walleyes are plentiful. Guests typically bring their own tackle, but a local bait/tackle store can address any on-site needs. A well-kept fish plant offers filleting services or the DIY option.
Three Lakes Camp is about 6 hours from Saskatoon, but flying into Winnipeg, then up to Flin Flon shortens the drive. Alternatively, the camp’s grass airstrip accommodates private plane arrivals.
Here is more information about rates and packages.
Contact Info:
Three Lakes Camp
(306) 632-4500; info@threelakescamp.com
