You may be familiar with their names – Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Arctic Grayling, and Walleye – but you’ll be shocked by their size. Home to some of the worlds largest and best tasting freshwater fish, Reindeer Lake is the best lake in Saskatchewan. This glacial lake has 5,700 miles of shoreline, so anglers are delighted by the endless supply of weeds; the ideal habitat for fish. Due to the colder waters, fish live longer in Reindeer Lake and grow to legendary sizes.
Why the Fall?
In the fall, temperatures drop slightly, so fish swim closer to the surface. Arctic Lodges is centrally located on an isolated island, so you can explore new parts of the lake each day while fishing in Saskatchewan. Fall fishing is more for serious anglers, as the weather can be more unpredictable and waters are much rougher.
That being said, fishing in the fall is very rewarding. Lake Trout come to the shallows to spawn, which creates a feeding frenzy. This is the perfect time to find the big ones without have to troll in the depths. Trout always have a lot of strength and fight in them, so regardless of the time of year they’re a great catch to get.
As for the Northern Pike, they’re large and always ready to eat. Spawning season is no exception, and they’re more vicious as they stalk for smaller baitfish and other spawning fish. Northern Pike are very reactive to water temperature changes, especially in the fall. This makes them a tricky target to catch in some locations. Although, they like to stay hidden in the green, lush weeds and Reindeer Lake is full of them, making it much easier to catch here than on many other lakes.
Fall is always a great time for fishing, but it’s also an amazing time for eating. In the fall, fish are bulking up for the winter months during fall feed. This creates juicer, more tender meat, and is a great time to enjoy many species!
Know Your Canadian Fish
Let’s review the best tasting freshwater fish before you book your Canada fishing trip.
- Northern Pike is a flaky, white meat fish. They are typically larger than perch or walleye, so some find them to taste fishier. However, their size makes for thicker, meatier fillets. Try it battered, pan-fried, and stacked on a sandwich with your favourite fixings. We recommend tomato, lettuce, and tartar sauce; a classic!
- Lake Trout is a member of the salmon family, so they are typically orange in colour but can range from white to red. They are 7-12 pounds on average, but the Arctic Lodges record catch was 73 pounds. Lake trout is often eaten smoked.
- With its large, colourful dorsal fin, the Arctic Grayling is a striking fish. Like Lake Trout, the Arctic Grayling is a member of the salmon family It has light, white meat. These fish are best fresh, so wrap your catch in tin foil and roast it over the fire or grill.
- Walleye are commonly regarded as one of the best tasting freshwater fish. They have 2 dorsal fins, making them easy to recognize. While they are native in other northern regions, they grow to impressive sizes here at Arctic Lodges. Walleyes sweet flavour is delicious however you cook it, so try it baked, fried, or even spit-roasted over a fire.
Best Canadian Fishing Trips
Fall fishing is one of the many seasons that can be enjoyed at Arctic Lodges, especially if you’re looking for some of the best fish around. Of course, Reindeer Lake holds several other species of fish, but these four popular Canadian fish are both a fun fight and delicious!
While fish, lemon, and garlic are a tried and true combination, you’ll catch so many during your stay, we hope you’ll experiment with some new recipes to bring back home with you. Are you ready for the trip of a lifetime?