Lloydminster and District Fish and Game Association member Joe Miazga caught this northern pike at Amish Lake over Easter weekend, which also marked the final weekend of ice fishing this season. Supplied Photo
It’s nearly hook, line and sinker time in Saskatchewan lakes and rivers for members of the Lloydminster and District Fish and Game Association.
Association president, Dwayne Davison, is already visualizing his catch of the day when the season opens on May 5 in the southern management zone covering the Lloydminster region.
“Walleye are probably the most targeted fish along with northern pike, perch and whitefish,” said Davison, who noted members don’t have to go that far to find a good fishing hole either.
“If you go 30 miles out, you’re at quite a few lakes. Turtle Lake is a big attraction for fishing. It’s a big lake, with lots of cabins around it. There’s walleye, pike, perch and whitefish,” he said.
For those who don’t mind travelling further, the 2024 season opens in the central zone on May 15 and the northern zone on May 25, according to this year’s Saskatchewan Anglers Guide.
The new guide details the regulations, policies and practices that guide recreational fishing in the province, including a comprehensive listing of water bodies with specific catch limits and special regulations.
“Saskatchewan is lucky to be home to some of the best freshwater fishing in Canada,” said Environment Minister Christine Tell in a statement.
“With the 2024-25 guide now available, we encourage all anglers to review the guide to ensure your fishing activities are compliant with the regulations.”
Davison fishes from his family cabin at Loon Lake in the summer and sometimes at Keeley Lake, north of Meadow Lake where he successfully closed out the ice fishing season on Easter Sunday.
“We did pretty good. The weather cooperated quite well. There was a little bit on the wind for the most part, but temperature-wise, it was pretty good,” he said.
Davison says from all accounts, ice fishing was pretty active this past winter.
“Overall, everybody would say it was pretty good other than that cold snap we had in January with that -40 stuff,” he said.
Attention now turns to the association’s upcoming Fish Fry at the Moose Lodge on April 18 with commercially caught e-boned jackfish or northern pike on the menu.
Doors open at 5 p.m. with supper served at 6 p.m.
“It’s not a big fundraiser for us. We don’t make much money at it. It’s just for members to come out and the general public,” said Davison.
“We sell 200 tickets for it and it pretty much sells out every time.”
Tickets are $25 each from Wildside Outdoors, but Davison doubts there are many left by now.
In the meantime, members can download the new anglers guide and bone up on catch-and-release practices, preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species and information on how to measure your catch and properly package it for transport.
Anglers aged 16 and older are required to purchase an angling licence to fish in Saskatchewan, except for Saskatchewan resident seniors aged 65 and over.
Saskatchewan and Canadian resident Armed Forces veterans who were honourably discharged are eligible to receive a free angling license, subject to verification.
Angling licences are available online 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be stored on a phone or other digital devices.
