Big pike are the draw for trophy-hunting fly-fishing anglers in Northern Saskatchewan.
June 12, 2024
By David A. Brown
Wollaston Lake Lodge If you want to visit with fellow Wollaston Lodge anglers, you’d better plan on doing so at breakfast, or in the evenings—during the exquisite dinners, or casually relaxing in the spacious main lodge area. Sure, you can arrange to fish in groups for photos and camaraderie, but if you’re looking for a true Canadian escape, the lodge’s namesake lake is the place to be.
“Wollaston is big enough that even with (the lodge maximum) 50 guests in camp we can divide the lake and you won’t see anyone all day,” Lodge Manager Rocky Marcinkiw said of the 800-square-mile Wollaston Lake. “And with 15 exclusive fly-out lakes, that spreads us out.”
Walleyes are abundant and a popular species at Wollaston Lake Lodge. Indeed, whether you’re running to one of the countless angling hotspots, or hopping aboard one of two Otter float planes for an amazing adventure to those remote waters, Northern Saskatchewan’s Wollaston Lodge delivers lifetime memories. As Marcinkiw explained, the area that lodge guides target abounds with fish-friendly habitat.
“We have a major river (Geikie River) coming into the lake and it’s a big body of water with lots of structure—there’s 370 islands in Lake Wollaston,” Marcinkiw said. “We have a lot of weed beds, which make it a productive pike fishery.
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Big northern pike are absolutely world class at Wollaston Lake Lodge. “It’s not just a big bowl, we have tons of bays and creeks flowing into the lake. There’s also a good forage base with ciscos, burbot, and whitefish.”
Pike grow large in such prime habitat and Wollaston guests commonly enjoy multiple opportunities to engage giant fish. Bent rods are the norm, but he said the lodge seeks to secure legit bragging rights photos for all who fish these waters.
“Our goal is to get each guest at least one fish over 40 inches,” he said. “Our pike really love spinnerbaits—Mepps No 4 or 5 spinners, Buchertail 500 series. You can also finesse them with soft plastics like Lunker City Slug-Gos and flukes on EWG hooks.”
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Fly fishermen will appreciate the lake’s extensive shallow bay habitat, which provides incredible sight-fishing opportunities. Best part about it, the lack of fishing pressure yields abundant and cooperative fish.
“The pike are so aggressive to the fly that if you are just learning how to fly fish, you don’t have to cast a long way,” he said. “They’re not spooky, so you’ll get multiple opportunities. So, if you miss (a strike), you’ll have multiple opportunities to cast back to that same fish.”
Recommending a 9/10 weight outfit, he suggests floating line in the spring and an intermediate line later in the year when the weed beds grown taller. Six- to 8-inch black/red streamers are a popular choice, while red/yellow Deceiver flies also produce.
Downsize to a 5-weight and Wollaston offers unforgettable fly-out trips to small streams with multiple rapids full of sporty grayling. Seducers, Deceivers, and Reynolds patterns all produce.
Comfort is a big part of the accommodations at Wollaston Lake Lodge in Northern Saskatchewan. An Orvis-endorsed property, Wollaston Lake Lodge includes a well-stocked tackle shop where guests can pick up whatever they need. Anglers are welcome to bring their own gear, but the lodge includes the use of Orvis rods.
Also offering lake trout and walleye opportunities, Wollaston Lake Lodge offers 21 modern, comfortable cabins and 5-star cuisine. With more staff than guests, impeccable service shines like the Northern Lights.
Wollaston Lake Lodge coordinates charter flights for guests flying into Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.
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Arctic Lodges Two things you can’t overlook when visiting Arctic Lodges—the large, brick fireplace and a book published in 1976. While the lodge has been renovated to provide modern creature comforts, the original fireplace remains as a constant reminder of the property’s rustic origins.
Guest can read about that foundation in Deadline June 7, the story of author/ lodge founder Fred Lockhart, whose vision for a remote wilderness lodge came to fruition through raw, rugged determination. Located on Reindeer Lake, Arctic Lodges boasts a history sparkling with celebrities from President Dwight D. Eisenhower, to past Super Bowl champions, to Hollywood luminaries.
Airplanes deliver guests to Arctic Lodges weekly. Today, Andrea Littlechilds, who runs the lodge alongside her husband Kelly, said guests write their own stories. Not a difficult task when set against such a majestic backdrop where, eagle, moose, caribou, and black bear sightings complement tremendous fishing.
“Reindeer lake is (approximately 143 miles) long with over 5,500 islands,” she said. “There are endless bays to explore, and you can be out on the water all day and never see another boat.”
The accommodations at Arctic Lodges are fantastic, and the Northern Lights top it off! Located 60 miles from Reindeer Lake’s south end, Arctic Lodges offers a mix of lake trout, walleye, grayling, and giant northern pike action. The latter emerge with ice-out by early June and thrill anglers all the way through August or early September.
“During the early season, we find the pike in the shallows sunbathing because the water’s still cold,” she said. “You can roll up to a bay and see 12 30- to 40-inch pike laying there in the shallows.”
By mid-July, those big pike typically move to the mouths of the bays, where they’ll park in weed beds in 6-9 feet. Popular offerings include a No. 5 Blue Fox, the Lunker City Slug-Go (bubble gum color) on weedless hooks, Savage Gear pike swimbait, and a 1 1/8-ounce Len Thompson spoon in the 5 of Diamonds pattern.
“A 40-inch pike is considered a trophy,” Littlechilds said. “It’s very seldom someone does not get at least one over 40.”
Giant lake trout are caught with regularity at Arctic Lodges. Trophy northern pike offer plenty adventure for the trophy-pike hunters that visit Arctic Lodges. Littlechilds said big pike also readily gobble big streamers and bunny tail, along with Clouser minnows and Deceivers. Grab a 4/5 weight outfit with floating line and the beautiful arctic grayling are easily fooled with nymphs, caddies flies, and Parachute Adams flies.
An unforgettable option for families, small groups, or corporate retreats, Arctic Lodges honors its history, while celebrating the modern. As she said, the warm, welcoming atmosphere, for which the property is known ensures a restful environment that allows guests to prepare for another day of fishing.
“We’ve kept some of the original log cabins, which we’ve renovated, to give you that true northern fishing lodge experience,” she said. “Once people get out on the lake, they’re taken back by the beauty and all the islands.
“You can catch 100 fish a day per boat, if not more, so people are amazed by that experience, as well.”
Guests fly into Saskatoon, SK (direct flights available from Minneapolis, Minn.). From Saskatoon, Arctic Lodges staff coordinate the private charter flight to the 5,000-foot airstrip, from which the adventure of a lifetime begins.
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Tazin Lake Lodge Set within a region rich with mining history and accented by natural marvels, including vast sand dunes, Northern Saskatchewan’s Tazin Lake presents a visually stunning destination where a vibrant environment steadily cranks out big numbers of big fish.
As the host of the Tazin TV YouTube Channel, Bret Amundson has spent a lot of time getting to know this fishery. As he explains, a quintet of rivers flowing in and out of the lake keeps the water’s fresh and rich with nutrients that fuel the huge forage base responsible for giant pike and whopper lake trout.
“Tazin Lake is a unique destination when it comes to world-class fishing, scenic surroundings, wildlife sightings and a family run resort,” Amundsun said. “It's more common to see a moose or black bear than it is to see other anglers on the lake.
“Tazin is in a special management zone so there is no commercial netting allowed, there are high, rocky hills that surround the lake so it's hard to access and that keeps the pressure light.”
Tazin Lodge is a world-class lake trout destination! The Northern Lights are enjoyed often at Tazin Lake Lodge. A combination of in-line spinners, shallow diving crankbaits, topwater, and big spoons tempt trophy pike, but he suggests a strategic approach. Long blind casts, he said, can prove essential to triggering the giants.
“Sometimes, getting those big fish agitated is the key to more hook ups. There are other times where you might need to be more subtle. If you can see the fish, try to read the fish and see how they're reacting to your presentation.”
He said Tazin Lake Lodge also hosts anglers seeking to catch their first lake trout or trophy pike on a fly rod. Trevor Montgomery, who co-owns the lodge with Barry Prall, has plenty of insight and experience on both fronts and, while guests are welcome to bring their favorite gear, Tazin lodge has everything necessary for checking those trophies off the bucket list.
Tazin Lake Lodge is a true trophy-pike destination! The wildlife viewing is continuous at Tazin Lake Lodge. “We've had a lot of success using streamer flies in a leech pattern and also brighter colors like funky chicken,” he said. “Six-inch flies have historically been good, but shorter lengths can also mean the difference in tempting those bigger, older fish.
“Trolling has historically proven to be the most productive method for lake trout, but we will also target them jigging and casting.”
Tazin Lake Lodge guests fly into Fort McMurray, from which the lodge arranges the charter flight.
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Barry Prall: 306-812-8281 Trevor Montgomery: 306-291-3151 Box 22024 RPO Cornerstone Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada S6V 8A6 Tazin Lake Lodge Cree River Lodge Nothing wrong with a large property and finely appointed details, but when traveling anglers prefer a smaller, more intimate option; one where fireside chats and reflections of the day’s unforgettable fishing last long into the evening, Cree River Lodge perfectly fits that plan.
Located on Wapata Lake, the lodge specializes in giant trophy pike, with plenty of walleye available. Rapids trips offer thrilling encounters with the beautiful and acrobatic arctic grayling. Dwayne “Chip” Cromarty, who has guided local waters for 40 years, attributes Wapata’s big-fish reputation to the right neighborhood.
Giant trophy-class northern pike are abundant at Cree River Lodge. “Cree River Lodge is located in a part of the Canadian Shield called the Athabasca Sand Basin,” Cromarty said. “Our waters are more nutrient rich than is typical this far north, so this provides a fertile ecosystem literally teeming with life.
“Huge populations of walleye and whitefish along with many other species of forage fish provide a favorable environment for large pike to grow. Add to that our remoteness and you have a special place for trophy Northern pike.”
He said Wapata Lake anglers consistently find large pike mixed in with the walleye. In the early season pike are drawn to the warm shallow bays where the higher water temperatures aid in digestion. Later in the summer, weed beds provide both cover and food, so that’s your safe bet.
As for bait selection, he offered this: “Large pike are usually opportunistic feeders and the easy meal is often the best meal. We use a lot of easy-to-fish lures like spoons, spinners, and crankbaits. At times big pike can be particular, but that just adds a bit of challenge.”
Endless amenities exist at Cree River Lodge, including beautiful sunsets and Northern Lights. World-class trophy northern pike are eager biters at Cree River Lodge, and they're quite hefty! If fly fishing for giant pike is your thing, Cromarty is a good person to know. In fact, this passionate pursuit is what attracted him to Cree River Lodge, where guides spend much of their free time stalking pike with fly rods.
As he said, all guide boats have casting decks, while the lodge has a well-stocked fly-tying bench. The lodge tackle shop also offers a wide variety of locally appropriate flies.
“Good pike flies are durable, easy to cast, and swim with a lot of movement,” he said. “We have the Poor Man's Whistler and Chip's Baitfish in the tackle shop, but your guide will likely have a bunch of other flies that he has had success with as well.”
Whatever the focus, Cromarty said the lodge’s location bodes well for maximum angling enjoyment.
“Cree River Lodge offers a tremendous fishery that is relatively protected from weather,” he said. “A small lake means you are never far from a sheltered fishing area. It also means no long boat rides.
“Our staff are all enthusiastic outdoorsmen, they love fishing and hunting. As a guide, they see your success as their success. The small camp size with only a dozen or so anglers in camp allows everybody to get to know everybody. It doesn't matter if you are hardcore, or just looking to relax and enjoy the experience, we can definitely provide an outstanding experience.”
Guests fly into Saskatoon (direct flights from Minneapolis available) and transfer to the lodge’s partnering charter service, which slides right up to the main dock.
Contact:
Cree River Lodge Patrick Babcock PO Box 272, White Fox SK, S0J 3B0 306-276-7841 Cree River Lodge
