Fishing in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada

Bill's Lake - Northern Saskatchewan Fishing at its Best

When it comes to fishing in Northern Saskatchewan, I can only think of one place, Bill’s Lake. Bill’s Lake, actually on Baxter Lake, is 150 miles North of Otter Lake by air, and can be flown into from either Otter Lake or if you choose to save some money on air fare, you can drive four to five hours north and fly from Points North Landing. When you arrive at Bill’s Lake, you are on your own, no other cabins on the lake, just you and a couple of friends. The cabin will sleep six guests comfortably, but could squeeze in a couple of more if need be.

Once you’re unpacked, walk down to the dock, slide your boat in and get fishing. The 16ft Lunds are matched nicely with Honda and Yamaha 4-strokes which are easy on fuel (important at any place where fuel is a premium), and the lack of smoke makes sitting in a boat with the motor idling more enjoyable. In my experience, it doesn’t matter where you go, most guests will leave the dock and boat as far away as possible. At Bill’s, you only need to run the boat around the point behind the cabin (you will actually be looking at the back of the cabin) and drop a line. From there you can target Walleye, Northern Pike or Trout.

The Walleye will take a typical jig, I prefer a 3/8 oz yellow or white head and tail, or throw on the “go to” five of diamonds and hook them up on that as well, but expect the Pike to smack it as well or even the odd trout. Walleye are typically in the two to three pound range but don’t be surprised if you happen to hook a couple in the six to eight pound range.

The Northern’s seem to hit almost anything. They typically run in the five to eight pound range with the larger Pike in the 20-plus pound range hanging out in the mix. I like to use a six foot rod, Shimano spinning reel, 30lb Stealth Spider Wire as a main line with no leader, I prefer it for presentation. Five of Diamonds are a staple diet for the Pike with Rapala’s and Storm baits working very well, but at around $10 to $15 a pop, Rapala’s take a pretty good beating after a few fish and are sometimes retired.

Now for some fun, grab a 6wt. fly rod and toss a line. I’ll take a 4 piece (it fits in our Cessna 185 much easier) St. Croix rod and prefer to use a reel with a cartridge system for quick line changes. I use a BFR reel with Cortland’s 444 dry lines and leader loops as I like to change up leaders of different lengths. Casting poppers into the weeds is always intense as you wait for the water to explode, but I enjoy casting a dark coloured leech pattern and stripping it in letting the Pike chase. One huge disadvantage of catching those monster Pike on the fly is that one to one ratio on your reel and all that backing you have to haul back in when the Pike takes that big run.

When you’re done getting beat up behind the cabin, start the boat and take a five minute boat ride to where the McArthur River runs out of Baxter Lake, walk the shore and take a cast at the Grayling. Use a really small spinner and light gear. If you are into catching them on the fly, a 5-6wt takes away from the fight some, so I would choose to use a 3 wt if you have one handy. A floating line and dry fly are the way to pick them off the surface while they are feeding. Try a humpy or Mayfly, and if you hook up on one, it’s going to be a fight.

Early in the season, taking a run to the far end of the lake is a trip worth while. Walleye are feeding frantically where the McArthur river runs into Baxter (about a 20 – 25 minute run), and you will have some insane fishing. After you have tired from the Walleye, tie on a deep diver, something that will take you down 15-20 feet and try trolling for the Lake Trout. Bait with yellow in the mix seems to work well. You may have to work some different depths and a portable fish finder defiantly gives you an advantage.

The Trout hit hard and will take a couple of runs. Baxter Lake is one of those lakes where if you’re not big, you’re likely going to be a meal. The trout range up to 25 lbs, but most common are the trout in the 8-15 pound range.

I think if I had to put together a trip to remember, I would have to start at Thompson’s Camps Otter Lake Resort in early June, catch my hockey team winning the Stanley Cup on the big screen down in the Ottering Hole Lounge, spend the night in a hot tub cabin, then fly out to Baxter for 5 or 6 days with a group of buddies.

Although Baxter Lake is a favourite of mine, depending on what species you are targeting specifically, you have many choices flying out to one of our many remote outpost camps and day fly-ins. If you want a package where you have everything looked after for you, try a package at Twin Falls or our Trophy class fishing resort Selwyn Lake Lodge on the Saskatchewan/NWT border.

Written by Ron Striker of Adventure Destinations International