Relaxing and waiting for a fish to bite

Northern Pike caught on Echo...

Northern Pike caught on Echo Lake, Saskatchewan 2016

Northern Pike caught in...

Northern Pike caught ice fishing in Saskatchewan

Lake of the Day: Echo Lake

Echo Lake is just one of several lakes in the popular Qu’Appelle River system. This popular chain can make for some great fishing for pickerel and perch. Greg Prokopetz from Pokey’s Tackle Shop in Regina, says that while anglers sometimes need to compete with other recreational enthusiasts, the fishing can still be good. “The whole Qu’Appelle chain has good fishing,” he says. “Try using Bottom Bouncers in bright colours. Chartreuse and orange with worms and leeches are good.” “People are also using the Rapala Crawdad Crankbaits, or try a perch or fire tiger colour jig with leeches,” he suggests. There can be a lot of recreational pressure on all of these lakes, which can disrupt midday fishing. Prokopetz suggests early mornings and late evenings are the best times for these lakes. Early spring can be the best time of year for Echo and Pasqua Lakes, though fishing can be good all summer, he says. A good tactic is to fish the river mouths, as that is where the fish are more likely to hang. Prokopetz says that ice fishing can be really good on Echo and Pasqua Lakes. In some years, access can be challenging, making it easier to walk onto the lakes rather than drive. Outdoors website www.S3outdoors.com calls both Echo and Pasqua Lakes some of their favourite walleye fishing in Saskatchewan. They note that fishing near the sand bar in Echo Lake can be rewarding. “There is a sand bar with easy access about midway on the south shore with a sharp drop. The sand bar extends out 25 to 30 meters into only one meter of water.” For all your tackle needs, stop by Pokey’s Tackle Shop in Regina. They carry a full range of gear and even do repairs. Pokey’s puts up weekly fishing reports for many lakes. See pokeystackle.ca. LAKE ACCESS Echo Valley Provincial Park is located about 250 km southeast of Humboldt. From Humboldt, drive east on Hwy. 5 for about 40 km. Turn right (south) onto Hwy. 6 and follow it about 135 km. From there, turn right (east) onto Hwy. 22, following the signs for Cupar, and drive for about 50 km. Continue on Hwy. 22 south towards Fort Qu’appelle for another 16 km. At Hwy. 210, you will be turning right (west), and driving for another 9 km or so to the park.

Ready for open water!!

My kids on our first day of open water fishing 2014. Taken at Echo Lake, Sask, Canada