Fishing Pelkey Lake in Stony Rapids, Saskatchewan

• Overview

  This water sits in Stony Rapids, Saskatchewan. Elevation runs to 377 metres. The water covers around 1.95 sq km, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. At about 16 km of edge, most people work one arm at a time. Fort Smith at 442 km is the nearest place to stop. The big place round here is Saskatoon, 850 km distant. No boundary runs near, so the local rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Pelkey Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Records held for Stony Rapids cover cisco, northern pike, round whitefish and lake chub. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. At Pelkey Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 15°C and January at -27°C. The fishing year opens late and shuts early. Once it clears, about late May, the fishing comes on quickly. Ice usually gives way near late May, and forms again about late October. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. At Pelkey Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Rigden Lake at 7.5 km is the sensible second choice. Confirm before you fish Pelkey Lake.