Saskatchewan covers 651,900 square kilometers more than a quarter million square miles. One half the province is covered by forest, one-third is farmland and one-eighth is fresh water – with over 100,000 lakes, rivers and waterbodies. Saskatchewan is located in Canada. Neighboring provinces of Manitoba and Alberta on each side, to the south it borders the American states of Montana and North Dakota and to the north are the Canadian territories of Northwest Territories and Nunavut

With more than 100,000 lakes alone the fishing in the province is spectacular. There are several species of fish to catch, but there are quite a few that are specifically targeted to catch and eat. In this section Know The Fish you will find the most common fish with picture identification,

Walleye – The most popular game fish in Saskatchewan. This fish has delicious mild tasting flesh and is found in almost every lake, river and resevior in the province. Walleye prefer deeper waters and in summer it is not uncommon to catch…See rest of information on Walleye.

Sauger or Saugeye -Very close cousin to the walleye and often mistaken for a walleye. Identical in every way except it has large dark splotches or patches on its sides and doesn’t have the white tip on it’s tail. Found mostly in the North and South Saskatchewan River Systems. Average weight: 0.5 to 1.5 kg (1 to 3 lb). See rest of information on Sauger.  

Here is an actual catch with both a walleye (top)and a sauger (bottom). Notice the size difference, the color differences, and lack of the white tip on the sauger’s tail.

Northern Pike – The fish of legends. Waterwolf, Hammer Head, Sloughshark, these guys are the scrappers of the freshwater fish world. The fish that has launched thousands of Canadian Fshing Trips and millions of trophy dreams. If cleaned properly you can have bone free fillets. Use various spoons, crank baits or line spinners. See rest of Information on Northern Pike.

Yellow Perch – The most sought after and really the only panfish there is in Saskatchewan. They are found in every fish holding water body. Have a great taste the same as walleye. These are the perfect fish to target when you Take A Kid Fishing. Average weight:approx. 250 grams (8 ounces), but Jumbo specimens well over 1 lb are regularly caught and quite often over 2lbs are caught. See rest of information on Yellow Perch. 

 Arctic Grayling – Found in the cold, clear lakes and fast-moving streams of northern Saskatchewan, "Sailfish of the North". As this name implies,a wonder to catch with it’s high colorful dorsal fin. The purples, greens, reds and yellows make this fish easily the most colorful of Saskatchewan’s fish. Use light tackle with very small spinners and jigs, or try dry fly-fishing with dark colored patterns. Average weight: under 1 kg (2 lb). See rest of Information on Arctic Grayling.

Saskatchewan is also home to a large selection of the Trout Family and they include the King of the north.

Lake Trout – This is one Saskatchewan’s native of the trout family. Lake Trout are common to the cool, clear and deep lakes and waters in the northern half of the province. This is the largest member of the trout family, with monsters in the 50plus pounds caught every year. In early spring and late fall, lake trout are in shallower water and closer to the surface aggresively feeding forpre-spawn and before winter.  At this time they can be caught by casting or trolling even flies work durring this period. However, in summer this fish stays deep, in water hundreds of feet deep, requiring the use of steel-line rigs or heavy jigs. Average weight: 1 to 3.5 kg (2 to 8 lb). See rest of Information on Lake Trout. 

Rainbow Trout – This is the only other true native trout of Saskatchewan. Anglers from across the world fish for this species and it is believed this fish and trying to catch it may be the reason the sport of fishing was born from. Early fishing equipment was long pole and fishing from the bank, then fly rods, then todays equipment. This fish has been successfully stocked in lakes, resivoirs, city ponds and rivers throughout the province. Best fished with light spinning or fly tackle, using worms or a variety of small spoons or spinners, or bank fished using cheese balls or colored mini marshmellows. Average weight: 0.5 to 1.8 kg (1 to 4 lb). See rest of Information on Rainbow Trout.

Brook Trout – Very prized fish by many anglers, but very few waterbodies or creeks have this species. Some stocking in very selected lakes throughout the province. These fish prefer cool, shady areas including deep holes, or behind rocks and logs. Use dry or wet flies, or light spinners or spoons. Fly-fishing recommended during insect hatches from mid-June to September. Average weight: 0.5 to 1 kg (1 to 2 lb). See rest of Information on Brook Trout. 

Golden Trout – Very rare in the province mostly fly in but a few lakes are stocked mostly in remote areas of the province. These are usually the only fish beside minnows in the lake. A very beautiful gold and red fish. Average weight: 0.5 to 1 kg (1 to 2 lb). See rest of Information on Golden Trout. 

Cut Throat Trout – Very prized fish by many anglers, but very, very few creeks or streams have this species. Some stocking in very selected lakes throughout the province. These fish prefer cool, shady areas including deep holes, or behind rocks and logs. Use dry or wet flies, or light spinners or spoons. Fly-fishing recommended during insect hatches from mid-June to September. Average weight: 0.5 to 1 kg (1 to 2 lb). See rest of Information on Cut Throat Trout. 

Brown Trout - One of the hidden jewels of Saskatchewan. Found in some of our southern resivoirs and stocked in selected lakes throughout the province. Brown Trout are found in cool, clear and deep waters of the southern and central province as an a complimant to Lake Trout. This is the second largest member of the trout family, with monsters in the 30plus pounds caught every year. Caught the same way lake trout. Average weight is 1 to 3.5 kg (2 to 8 lb).

Splake Trout – Hybrid cross from brook trout and lake trout. Splake are stocked in several water bosies in the province and again they are fished same as Lake trout. In the winter, splake can be found in most any location. During the spring and fall, they can be caught with light tackle near the surface, even on flies. In the summer, they generally go deep, preferring water less that 60ºF. These fish grow faster than either parent species with 10 pounders caught regularly. See rest of Information on Splake.

Other fish you may see or catch in Saskatchewan while fishing. these include:

Burbot – easily recognized by its single chin barbel. It is native to most of Canada and the northern United States. Burbot, also known as ling, are usually found in larger streams and cold, deep lakes and reservoirs. They are peculiar in that they spawn during winter, under the ice. They are also largely nocturnal and have an enthusiastic following among fishermen. Burbot are voracious predators and opportunistic feeders.  See rest of Information on Burbot.

Carp – The common carp color varies from brassy green or yellow, to golden brown, or even silvery. The belly is usually yellowish-white.. Individuals 12-55 inches in length and weighing up to 8-10 pounds are common, although they can grow much larger. Common carp may live in excess of 47 years and weigh over 75 pounds. See rest of Information on Carp.

Sucker – Their mouth is located on the underside of the head, with thick, fleshy lips. Most species are less than 60 cm (2 feet) in length but the largest species can reach 1 m (40 inches). They are not usually fished recreationally; although they are a fairly popular target with spear fisherman. See rest of Information on Sucker.

Lake Whitefish – Not generally considered a game fish, though highly regarded on the table.
Long prized for the quality and fine flavor of their meat since the days of the early explorers. Whitefish are caught below the ice in winter, sold fresh and frozen in the round, headed and dressed, and as fillets. Roe is marketed as "golden caviar". See rest of Information on Lake Whitefish.

Channel Catfish – These fish are readily distinguished by their scaleless bodies, broad flat heads, sharp heavy pectoral and dorsal spines, and long whisker-like barbels about the mouth. Members of the catfish family are all more or less omnivorous, feeding on all sorts of plant and animal matter. They are also mostly nocturnal, and use their barbels to locate food in the dark recesses of deep water. See rest of Information on Channel Catfish.

Lake Sturgeon – is a North American freshwater fish, this species is an evolutionarily ancient bottom feeder with a part cartilage and part bone skeleton. It’s hard skin is made up of rows of bony plates. The fish uses its elongated, spade-like snout to stir up the sand and silt on the beds of rivers and lakes while feeding. See rest of Information on Lake Sturgeon. 

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