After a long day fishing, we decided to hit up one more bay. In the back corner of the bay we found ourselves on the midst of a big pike! After about a half hour of hunting down this pike, nobody was able to catch him! Eventually, I switched to a glide bait. After a few casts I noticed the pike swimming up alongside the boat and I make a short cast. I twitched the glide bait once and the fish finally gave in!

"Besnard Lake, just northwest of Lac La Ronge Provincial Park, is large and complex, as though it is hundreds of little lakes grouped together. Dotted with more than 250 islands, Besnard Lake is a great place to explore. Please bear in mind that newcomers will not want to explore this lake alone! Donna Zacharias, from Besnard Lake Lodge, has one major suggestion for anglers: “Hire a guide! You can’t go just anywhere in Besnard Lake, because it’s so rocky. It’s like mountain terrain under the water.” She says that there are ways to get around but “it can take years to learn.” The underwater structure makes for excellent fish habitat. Zacharias notes that walleye limits have been lowered and some areas are closed altogether, which has really improved the fishing in the past couple of years. For 200 metres on each side of the narrows bridge, as well as all of Mercer Bay, fishing is closed all year. Zacharias says minnows are the best bait and that anything big and flashy can attract pike. Perch can be plentiful too, and are often good catches for novice anglers. There are some places where there are weed beds, however, most of the lake is fairly clear, with lots of islands. Lake Access From Prince Albert, head north on Highway 2 for 185 km. Turn left (north) onto Highway 165, following this road for 55km and watching for the the signs to Pinehouse Lake and Beauval. At the junction with Highway 910, stay to the right (north), continuing along Highway 910 for around 34 km. until the signs appear for Besnard Lake Lodge. Besnard Lake Lodge is a full service facility with 7 cabins. The lodge has guides for hire and boat rentals. Donna and Dan Zacharias, the owners, offer to clean, filet and freeze fish for guests. The lodge offers a well-stocked store, showers, gas and souvenirs. Contact Besnard Lake Lodge at besnardlake.com or by phone at 306-425-3474. During the winter, they can also be reached by email at [email protected]."

aLLENTIS

Lake Of The Day : Besnard Lake

Besnard Lake, just northwest of Lac La Ronge Provincial Park, is large and complex, as though it is hundreds of little lakes grouped together. Dotted with more than 250 islands, Besnard Lake is a great place to explore. Please bear in mind that newcomers will not want to explore this lake alone! Donna Zacharias, from Besnard Lake Lodge, has one major suggestion for anglers: “Hire a guide! You can’t go just anywhere in Besnard Lake, because it’s so rocky. It’s like mountain terrain under the water.” She says that there are ways to get around but “it can take years to learn.” The underwater structure makes for excellent fish habitat. Zacharias notes that walleye limits have been lowered and some areas are closed altogether, which has really improved the fishing in the past couple of years. For 200 metres on each side of the narrows bridge, as well as all of Mercer Bay, fishing is closed all year. Zacharias says minnows are the best bait and that anything big and flashy can attract pike. Perch can be plentiful too, and are often good catches for novice anglers. There are some places where there are weed beds, however, most of the lake is fairly clear, with lots of islands. Lake Access From Prince Albert, head north on Highway 2 for 185 km. Turn left (north) onto Highway 165, following this road for 55km and watching for the the signs to Pinehouse Lake and Beauval. At the junction with Highway 910, stay to the right (north), continuing along Highway 910 for around 34 km. until the signs appear for Besnard Lake Lodge. Besnard Lake Lodge is a full service facility with 7 cabins. The lodge has guides for hire and boat rentals. Donna and Dan Zacharias, the owners, offer to clean, filet and freeze fish for guests. The lodge offers a well-stocked store, showers, gas and souvenirs. Contact Besnard Lake Lodge at besnardlake.com or by phone at 306-425-3474. During the winter, they can also be reached by email at [email protected].