Archive for the ‘Churchill River Canoe Outfitters’ Category

This information was supplied by Wayne Phillips, renowned outdoor journalist, master angler, and long-time friend of C.R.C.O.’s.

FISHING CHURCHILL RIVER COUNTRY

WAYNE PHILLIPS

 An unbelievably wide range of fishing exists in Churchill River country. Churchill River country consists largely of La Ronge Provincial Park and some waters beyond Otter Rapids. Missinipe makes the perfect jumping off spot for fishing the whole area.

 Along Highway 102 you find a string of lakes that are all road accessible. Some of the lakes require a short portage of about half a kilometre. Other lakes are along established canoe routes and a few are interesting spots that need a short portage or two to reach. The best watercrafts for fishing this area are those that are easy to portage. Hence canoes, kayaks, light inflatables, float tubes and rowed one-man pontoon boats are ideal.

 This guide is meant to provide fishing techniques and tactics, information on the stocking of exotic trout species in the area and mostly to foster a greater appreciation of our marvelous northern fishing resource.

 Fish are a renewable resource. Of all user groups, recreational anglers put by far the most pressure on this resource. Catch and release is strongly advised. Using barbless hooks allows for anglers to release fish without harming them. Barbless lures are also safer for anglers to use, especially when children are fishing.

PIKE AND WALLEYE FISHING

Pike and walleye are common in nearly all lakes. Fishing for them does not require specialized tackle or fishing knowledge. Begin your search for them above and below rapids, in and around narrows, near points and around islands. Both species prefer shallower water, less than four or five metres deep, so lighter spoons and jigs work well. 

Preferred tackle is a light spinning rod and reel loaded with either six or eight pound test monofilament. Many anglers use wire leaders, but these are costly and tend to kink badly after catching a fish or two. If you want to prevent pike from taking your lures, simply knot on a foot long piece of 30 to 35 pound test mono to the regular mono on your reel using an Albright Knot. Tying instructions for this simple knot are available on line.

Pike prefer weedy areas, especially those below a rapid or narrows. The favorite lure is a Len Thompson Five of Diamonds (red and yellow) spoon. A slow retrieve will usually bring strikes. Fly fishers can do very well with large red and yellow streamers. Ideal fly rod weights are from 8 to 12, depending on the size of flies you are casting. Floating and sink tip lines work best.  Rather than a wire leader, use a piece of 30 to 60 pound mono knotted to a 12 pound test 7 foot leader using an Albright Knot.

From opening weekend until near the end of June, lake trout can be taken on flies. Use the same gear as for pike. Full sink lines will produce the most action. Early in the year, lakers can be found near shore in fairly shallow water. Once again red and yellow flies work best. For spinning gear, use split shot or a diving plane to get your lures down deep. The reliable Five of Diamonds and red and yellow Flatfish are the best lures. 

Walleye fall for jigs with soft plastic bodies. If you like to add bait to this already deadly combination, frozen minnows or leeches work well. Live minnows are not allowed in Saskatchewan waters. Like pike, walleye are attracted to areas with current. They can be found along rock faces that have a steep dropoff.

Yellow perch are fairly common in these waters. Tiny jigs or spoons tipped with half a frozen minnow are all that is needed if you want to catch perch.

SPECIFIC PIKE AND WALLEYE WATERS 

It would be impossible to list all the pike and walleye waters. Here are a few lakes and streams that provide excellent angling opportunities. Note that lakes are listed in alphabetical order.

BARTLETT LAKE

An excellent place to troll for pike and lake trout while paddling across it. Lake trout are near the surface from season opening until around the end of June.

CONTACT LAKE

Great pike and walleye fishing. Ideal to fish if you are going after trout in Mekewap Lake.

DEVIL LAKE CHAIN

Pike and walleye galore above and below rapids and in narrows. Trolling a Five of Diamonds or a jig with a chartreuse soft plastic body will almost always get you dinner.

FRENCHMAN LAKE

A short portage off Grandmother Bay. Walleye fishing can be superb here.

OTTER RAPIDS

Early in the season walleye and sauger move through the rapids. Before keeping any walleye or sauger for the table, give the fish a gentle squeeze in front of its anus. If a milky liquid comes out, it is a male. Keeping only males means higher walleye and sauger stocks in the future. Pike are plentiful in and around the rapids. Perch, including very large perch, are present as well.

SCYTHE LAKE

A five minute portage off Little Deer Lake. Walleye and pike fishing is good, especially in the creek mouth near the portage. A charming little lake that sees very little fishing pressure.

SULPHIDE LAKE

A perfect place to go after pike and walleye when going to or coming from trout fishing on Mekewap Lake.

EXOTIC TROUT WATERS

Saskatchewan supports an active trout stocking program. The fish are stocked in smaller lakes that do not have creeks flowing into the lake or from the lake. Some anglers are intimidated by fishing for trout, but there is no need to be if you follow a few basic techniques. For the most part, trout prey on insects as their major food source. Since insects are most active at dawn and dusk, you should concentrate your fishing at these times as well. Since dawn comes so early, it is best to fish once the sun goes down. Dress warmly, bring along insect repellent and fish until long after midnight. Make certain you are familiar with the waters you are planning to fish if fishing after dark. Carry a flashlight or headlamp for extra light should you need it.

Tiny spoons and small spinners will catch trout. But fly fishing will increase your catch rate three or four fold. You can easily troll flies with spinning gear if you add a split shot or two to your line. For most trout fishing, it is best to use a 5 to 8 weight fly rod. For fly gear, floating lines work well at night. During the day, full sink or sinktip lines produce best. 

Saskatchewan trout waters have an abundant aquatic insect population. Due to the incredible numbers of nymphs, dry fly action is not very common. Our trout do not seem very sophisticated so your flies do not have to be very exact. Flies that are scruffy and feature some movement will usually find trout. Basic nymphs like Woolly Buggers, Prince, pheasant tails, cased caddis, damselfly, leeches and water boatman are all successful.

Float tubes or one man rowed pontoon boats are perfect for these lakes. Canoes and kayaks are also a good choice. Cast and retrieve or simply troll your fly near shore after dark and hang on. Trout move into the shallows to feed, but they are extra wary. A stealthy approach will put you into trout after trout. If you use a motor, it is best to select an electric motor as it creates the least disturbance.

SPECIFIC STOCKED TROUT WATERS 

For each specific lake, the various trout species stocked will be listed. Lakes are listed in alphabetical order.

ALTHOUSE LAKE

Km. 69 on Highway 102. Last stocked with 2,100 splake in 2007. Portage in about half a kilometre. There should still be a few splake left from the last stocking. Begin fishing close along the west shoreline. Fishes best after dark or before noon. If you see no surface activity, it is likely there are very few trout left in Althouse Lake. 

FELDSPAR LAKE

Km 120 on Highway 102. Stocked annually with 2,000 rainbow trout. Portage is only a few steps. This long narrow lake is a typical Shield Country lake. Cast toward shore and slowly retrieve your flies or lures. Fish it very close to shore in the evenings.

LUSSIER LAKE

Km. 77 on Highway 102. Since 2007, stocked annually with 4,000 brook trout. Portage less than half a kilometre. From previous stockings there are still some larger brown trout in Lussier Lake. One of the few lakes that fishes well during the day as well as after dark. Fish are all over the lake. A perfect place to wind drift and catch trout. Bushy nymphs like Woolly Buggers fool many trout. Very picturesque lake.

JUNCTION LAKE

At the junction of Highway 2 and 165. Stocked annually. You can drive right to the lake. One year it receives 2,000 brown trout and the next year 2,000 brook trout. The perfect place to fish for trout on the way to the Churchill River or when returning home. Fish near shore, especially the west and north shorelines, using large bushy nymphs.

 MEKEWAP LAKE

47 kilometres north of La Ronge. Stocked every second year with 14,000 rainbow trout. Coming in from Lynx Lake, it takes three fairly short portages to reach Mekewap. From MacKay Lake it takes five short portages to get to Mekewap. This is a perfect loop to take if you want to spend a day or two camping and fishing. Note there is good pike and walleye fishing in Contact Lake and Sulphide Lake, so if you strike out on trout, you can still fish for pike and walleye.

This is without a doubt Saskatchewan’s most beautiful trout lake, as well as its best trout lake. Mekewap’s jade-colored waters are matched by the rainbow trout with their jade-colored backs. Mekewap is one of the few trout lakes where you find trout rising consistently to dry flies. Fish are found all over this lake, but the south and west shorelines are good places to begin. Fishes well all day, but it really shines at dusk and until the wee hours of the morning. Pack both dry flies like midges, Elk Hair Caddis and Parachute Adams and smaller dark nymphs like pheasant tails, Prince and mayfly emergers for the best fishing.

MULLOCK LAKE

Km. 66 on Highway 102. Stocked every other year with both 3,000 splake and 3,000 tiger trout. Right next to the road. The best fishing is after dark. Move slowly and quietly right next to shore. Trolling large bushy flies like Muddler Minnows and Woolly Buggers will have even beginners catching trout. A split shot or two on spinning gear will also catch trout.

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Written by Shannon Bond – June 2007

Why do we come to this place with its clouds of black flies and mosquitoes, the gravel road that rattles your bones, teeth and tires loose? Why do so many of us return year after year with the spring thaw? We migrate, not unlike other species, to the North, to the water, to the bush and shield rock country that makes up Northern Saskatchewan. We pack up our paddles and gear, strap our canoes on roofs- some of them nice, more of them dented aged jalopies- and instinctively make our way northbound on the CANAM highway.

People ask how I can stand the 13-hour, door to door drive to Missinipe. How do I explain a love for watching geography as it changes with each mile? How do I explain the burst of energy that I am infused with when I pass over the bridge in Prince Albert and the whole world changes from one of lush farmland to one of boreal forest with sneak peeks of lakes with their loons calling in the early evening? I don’t need to explain it to my dog for she wakes from her slumber to sniff at the windowsill. I open it for myself as much as I do for her, breathing in the scent of the Jackpines and fresh water.

The summer has begun in earnest now that June is here. The school groups from all over Saskatchewan have been making their annual migration to Missinipe to explore the local routes and reacquaint themselves with the surroundings. This season we have had two teachers shaking hands to say good-bye as retirement and transfers take them to a new stage in their lives. Hopefully we shall see them again on their own time or with a new school group eager to experience the North by canoe.

With spring, the fishermen and women arrive. This is a hardy bunch not to be underestimated. Rain or shine they are in the boats before 9 each morning and not seen again until suppertime or later. Those with a guide eat a hearty shore lunch of walleye and jackfish along one of the many rapids upstream. There was one group who arrived In Missinipe after a 25-hour, non-stop drive from Colorado, tossed their bags into the Lodge and immediately jumped into boats to go fishing. They were back an hour later with enough fish to feed twelve of us. Now tha’s serious fishing!

Excitement builds at this time of year as every staff member leafs through the booking forms to see who is returning from previous trips and clinics. Reunions in the office are nearly a daily occurrence. If these walls could talk they would speak about hundreds of hugs and millions of stories told and retold, each telling a little more colourful from the previous year to the next. I read a quote on a paddling site recently that said, “”Next to blood relationships, come water relationships”.” –
S.Crawford.

Here at Churchill River Canoe Outfitters we do feel a sense of kinship with the folks who come from far and away to partake in the adventures that the river has to offer. Perhaps that is the key element that connects us all – an adventurous spirit and a yearning to share those experiences with likeminded individuals. The summer of 2007 has just begun and we are chomping at the gunwales to get paddling. If you haven’t set aside your Northern time yet, git to gittin’, and give us a shout. You know we’d love to go for a paddle!

The summer of 2009 saw C.R.C.O. staff, operating with shared funding from the Canadian Government, undertaking a program to enhance and maintain portages on popular northern Saskatchewan canoe routes. This was a massive undertaking, but we feel the effort was worthwhile, as we were able to improve a large number of portages, thus making tripping just a little bit easier for wilderness travellers. Following is a summary of our work.

Bree/Dan – McLennan-Davis-Minuhik-Unnamed-Asbell Bay-McLennan

Date: 3 days – 2^nd week of July

Total number of person days worked = 6

Number of portages cleared = 13

This was a shakedown trip. Its major purpose was to find out of the equipment purchased was adequate to clear trails. It was also an opportunity to get some understanding of the condition of some of the portage trails in the region – both well used and little used trails.  They experienced very wet, cold, windy weather. This slowed down their progress slightly. But good progress was made.

 Portages cleared are as follows:

• Liggett Bay on McLennan Lake to small nameless lake to the southeast
• Small nameless lake to a second small nameless lake to the south
• Second small nameless lake to north bay on Davis Lake
• First small nameless lake to north bay on Davis Lake
• Second small nameless lake to Powell Lake
• Powell Lake to Cushon Bay on Davis Lake
• McLennan Lake to small nameless lake
• Small nameless lake out the southeast side to Davis Lake
• Small nameless lake out the southwest side to Davis Lake
• McLennan Lake to Davis Lake
• Davis Lake to Minuhik Lake
• South end of McLennan Lake (Asbell Bay) to small nameless lake
• South end of small nameless lake to Minuhik Lake

Bree/Dan/Curtis/Nick – McLennan Lake – Davis Lake – Bryan Lake – Versailles Lake – Zacharias Lake – Hutchings Lake – MacLean Lake – Cratty Lake

Date: 4 days – 3^rd week of July

Total number of person days worked = 16

Number of portages cleared = 7

This was a training trip. Bree took Dan, Curtis and Nick out to give them further training in safety and camping skills. She also helped them to learn to find rarely used portage trails. These trails proved to be more difficult to clear than the previous trip. The very wet spring and early summer meant that some of the trails were knee deep in water. This certainly added to the challenge of clearing trails. They also found that some trails no longer existed. After searching for a considerable amount of time the trails between Bryan Lake and MacLachlan Lake no longer existed. Other trails were very well used and required no clearing. 

Portages cleared are as follows:

• Bryan Lake south to small nameless lake
• Small nameless lake to Versailles Lake
• Versailles Lake north to small nameless lake
• Small nameless lake north to Hutchings Lak
• Versailles Lake to Zacharias Lake
• Zacharias Lake west to Screaming Hawk Lake
• Screaming Hawk Lake to Hutchings Lake

Dan/Curtis/Nick – Hailstone Lake – Bervin Lake – Minuhik Lake – Davis Lake – McLennan Lake

Date: 3 days – 4^th week of July

Total number of person days worked= 9

Number of portages cleared = 9

This route is a great potential 3 day route. All the portage trails were found but seldom used. Again because of very wet weather, many of the portage trails were quite water logged.

Portages cleared are as follows:

• Halestone Lake south to Berven Lake.
• Berven Lake south to Dickens Lake.
• Berven Lake north to first unnamed lake.
• First unnamed lake to second unnamed lake.
• Second unnamed lake to third unnamed lake.
• Third unnamed lake west to Minuhik Lake.
• Minuhik Lake west to Versailles Lake.
• North end of Minuhik Lake west to Versailles Lake.
• From the north west end of Minuhik Lake through the narrows to the east end of Minuhik Lake.

Dan/Curtis/Nick/Tim – McLennan-Davis-Versailles-Bowrie Bay-Kliman-Minuhik-Davis-McLennan

Date: 4 days – 1^st week of August

Total number of person days worked = 16

Number of portages cleared = 8

This was the first trip where the 4 were together. They proved to be a very smooth working team. This trip attempted to clear 2 areas. The first area was off the south end of Versailles Lake. This area is of interest because these lakes are the only area in the whole McLennan Lake region that has Walleye. So getting into Kliman, St. Pierre and Fernside Lakes is very important for some canoeists. The second area is the routes going to the south of Zacharias Lake. This was not so successful. These trails were so deteriorated and under water that they were not practical to clear at this time.

Portages cleared are as follows:

• South end of Versailles Lake to a small nameless lake.
• Small nameless lake to a second very small nameless lake.
• Very small nameless lake to Kliman Lake.
• South end of Kliman Lake to St. Pierre Lake.
• South east end of Kliman Lake to Fernside Lake.
• North east end of Kliman Lake to Gowrie Bay on Colin Lake.
• Gowrie Bay to nameless lake.
• Nameless lake to Versailles Lake.

Curtis/Tim – Dickens – Stewart River – Bear Lake – French Lake – Otter Lake

Date: 2 days – 2^nd week of August

Total number of person days worked = 4

Number of portages cleared = 9

This is another 3 day trip with lots of potential. Only 2 of the trail clearing crew were available for this trip. They found good trails around all places that required a portage trail. The trails needed minor clearing – some downed trees and underbrush growing into the trails. The trail around the big water fall along the route needed more clearing than most others.

Portages cleared are as follows:

• Around the first rapids after leaving Dickens Lake.
• Around the second rapids after leaving Dickens Lake.
• Around last rapids before entering first nameless lake.
• Connecting first nameless lake to second nameless lake.
• Connecting second nameless lake to swamp.
• Connecting swamp to third nameless lake.
• Connectng third nameless lake  to fourth nameless lake around big water fall.
• First rapids in the Stewart River.
• Second rapids in the Stewart River. 

Dan/Curtis/Nick/Tim – Kuskawawo Lake – Contact Lake – Hebden Lake – Freestone Lake – Sim Lake – Otter Lake

Date: 3 days – 3^rd week of August

Total number of person days worked = 12

Number of portages cleared = 5

This route used to be very popular. However because of forest fires and heavy winds, many of the portage trails have become very difficult. The crew successfully cleared the trails to Hebdon Lake. However the portage from Hebdon to Freestone Lake was impossible. Much of the trail was a huge blow down. They were unable to cut through the trees with the equipment they had. They also had previous knowledge that the trail between Freestone and Sim Lakes also has a huge blow down. They chose to turn around and head back to Kuskawao Lake. They were disappointed. Those trails will have to wait for a crew with chainsaws.

Portages cleared are as follows:

• Kuskawao Lake to Cote Lake.
• Cote Lake to Baldhead Lake.
• Baldhead Lake to small nameless lake.
• Contact Lake east to first small nameless lake.
• Second small nameless lake to Hebdon Lake.

Dan/Curtis/Nick/Tim – Cratty Lake- Mclean Lake – Calder Lake – Buchannon Lake – Hornet Lake – Stock Lake – Skivewright Lake – Colin Lake – Versailles Lake – Davis Lake – McLennan Lake.

Date: 6 days – 4^th week of August

Total number of person days worked = 24

Number of portages cleared = 16

As the trails closer to the road get cleared, longer trips are required to get to the further away portage trails. There were 2 focuses of this trip. One was the area at the north end of Buchannan Lake. We were hoping to open routes through Wakefield Lake into Hornet Lake. There were no obvious trails in this area. However they were able to clear the trail that heads northeast into Weirzyki Lake. This makes the route between McLennan Lake and the Chartier River a much easier trip to do. They were also able to open one alternative route between Buchannan and Hornet Lake.

The other trip focus was the alternative routes between Hornet and Colin Lakes. The many small lakes in this region are quite pretty. This alternative route takes canoeists into a more remote area. We were hoping to open another alternative route through Lust Lake as well. However these trials proved to be more difficult that what a swede saw could clear.

Portages cleared are as follows:

• MacLean to first nameless lake.
• First nameless lake to second nameless lake.
• Second nameless lake to third Calder Lake.
• Buchannan Lake to Weirzyki Lake
• Buchannan Lake to nameless lake to the south east.
•  Buchannan Lake to north end of Hornet Lake.
• Hornet Lake to small nameless lake to the south.
• Small nameless lake to Settee Lake.
• Hornet Lake to Stock Lake.
• Stock Lake to small nameless lake to the south west.
• Small nameless lake to second small nameless lake.
•  Second small nameless lake north to Skivewright Lake.
•  Skivewright Lake to Newburg Bay on Colin Lake.
• Colin Lake east to first nameless lake.
• First nameless lake to second nameless lake.
• Second nameless lake to Settee Lake.