Saskatchewan is a wild place.
The tall province stretches 760 miles (1223 km) from the North Dakota/Montana borders to the Northwest Territories. Agriculture dominates the prairie landscape across the southern two-thirds, while the north is covered in boreal forest. There are approximately 100,000 lakes and rivers in northern Saskatchewan, surrounded by rugged Canadian Shield rock and sand. While mining and energy exploration has taken place in the north for years, the area remains pristine. The roadless region offers adventures ranging from camping and canoeing to fly out fishing trips.
In 2016, I had my first opportunity to experience Saskatchewan. I flew out of Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport, had a short layover in Calgary, then landed in Fort McMurray, Alberta. This bustling town is fairly remote. The oil and gas industry has built up the area and kept it modern. There are a wide variety of hotels, restaurants and stores, including a Canadian Tire store dedicated to hunting and fishing gear.
Float Plane Flight
Behind the Fort McMurray International Airport are a few air-related businesses, such as McMurray Aviation. There you board an amphibious Cessna Caravan for an hour and a half flight to Tazin Lake Lodge. This plane is capable of landings and takeoffs on land or water. As you ascend over the northern Alberta community, the ground below quickly transitions from highways and housing developments to trees and water.
Shortly into the trip, you fly over thousands of lakes. Trails made by years of caribou travel dissect the land. Straight lines created from energy exploration remind me that despite it’s vast wildness, humans have been here for years.
Athabasca Sand Dunes
Before reaching Tazin, the trees give way to a large desert-like formation. The Athabasca Sand Dunes cover over 60 miles of shoreline along Lake Athabasca. The bright yellow dunes stand out among the green trees. While this unique landmark is a highlight along the trip, the spectacular William River is even better. The river splits the sand, winding it’s way north to Lake Athabasca. As the clear water shifts with rising and lowering levels, it moves sand back and forth. This creates a phenomenon called braided channels. While this most likely occurs in other locations around the world, I’ve never seen it like this before.
The river flows into a wide, sandy delta on Athabasca. This is the 8th largest lake in Canada and it’s western end is actually in Alberta. After flying over the big body of water, you’ll come to a new landscape. The tall, rocky hills between Athabasca and Tazin are part of the Tazin Lake ecoregion. Precambrian rock hillsides that tower 300 feet above the water.
Tazin Lake
Tazin Lake is a remote destination with big lake trout and northern pike. The fishery has little pressure, keeping the success rates high. Tazin Lake Lodge was built around 1960 and is one of the oldest fishing lodges still in operation.
I’ve been fortunate to spend a lot of time on this lake and have caught lake trout over 50 pounds and pike over 50 inches. I’ve seen big moose and big bears. I’ve watched northern lights dance over the lodge. Depending on the time of year, the far north location has either long days or long nights. In June, I’ve seen the sun set and rise again a short time later. In August, I’ve had dark boat rides at 6pm as green streaks stretched across the sky.
The destination is considered bucket-list by many, but regular visitors have made it an annual tradition to travel here. The fishing is number one, but the scenery, adventure and the people make it worth coming back to.
While you can fly easily to Fort McMurray, you can also drive. The Trans-Canada highway makes it easy to get across the country. From Minnesota, I will head for I-94 and go west to Fargo. There, I connect with I-29 and head north towards Winnipeg, crossing the border at Pembina. Once westward, there are enough cities with hotels and gas stations to make the travel easy. Stops in Portage La Prairie, Brandon, Regina and Lloyminster can give you breaks if necessary. It’s a long drive, but if you prefer it over airports, it’s doable. It can also save you a few bucks. Here is more information if you are planning a trip to Tazin Lake Lodge:
Flying
You will fly into Fort McMurray International Airport. You can book your flight to YMM but you may have a layover. Some direct flights are available, but usually you will route through Calgary or Edmonton on your way. From there, it’s a short car ride to McMurray Aviation to board the amphibious Caravan. Flight prices vary.
Driving
From Minneapolis: 1,426 Miles.
From Chicago: 1,833
From Denver: 1,479
Lodging
Fort McMurray: Tazin Lake Lodge has a discounted rate at the Travelodge. Rates are $117 CAD per night versus the regular rate of $150. Just tell them you’re headed to Tazin Lake Lodge. There is a free continental breakfast here.
Portage La Prairie: We stay at the Canad Inn. This hotel has a restaurant and bar. A breakfast buffet, a casino and a pool with a waterslide. The breakfast isn’t free, but if you’re a Canad Inn Rewards Member, you get a discount on it as well as 20% off meals at the Tavern United bar. It’s a convention center so it’s got everything. Plus, there is a Canadian Tire next door. Also a McDonalds and Tim Horton’s across the street.
Regina: We stay at the The Comfort Inn. Rates are generally around $100 CAD. It’s dog friendly ($20 per dog). The rooms have their own access with sliding doors to the parking lot. You can park right at your room and let your dogs in and out. The price is affordable and if you become a member, they’ll price match with the various travel apps. There is a continental breakfast that has the usual heat and serve egg/bacon/sausage options, a waffle maker, and more. There is a bar/restaurant next door so you don’t have to drive to eat.
Lloydminster: We stay at the Travelodge by Wyndham. Rates are generally around $100 CAD. It has a steakhouse, an Irish pub, a pool with waterslides and it’s dog friendly. I like the option of parking and not having to drive anywhere. Lloydminster is right on the Alberta/Saskatchewan border and features plenty of restaurants and stores. There is a continental breakfast here.
There are other stops along the way with plenty of hotels and restaurants as well, such as Saskatoon, Brandon, Cold Lake and Lac La Biche.
Tazin Lake is a beautiful destination and the fishing is world-class. We have filmed many videos here describing the experience. Subscribe to the Tazin Lake Lodge youtube channel to watch. You can also sign up for their newsletter to stay informed of fish catches, open dates and more. If you haven’t been to Saskatchewan before, you owe it to yourself to discover this fishing and hunting paradise. Put Tazin on the list of places to visit when you do. Rates are $4,500 for 5 days of guided fishing. All the gear, meals and lodging are included. You’re only expected to bring sunscreen, rain gear and polarized sunglasses. Taxes, license and alcohol is not included. A fishing license is about $100.
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