Fishing at Preston Lake, La Loche, Saskatchewan

• Overview

  Preston Lake sits in La Loche, out in Saskatchewan. It stands 473 metres above sea level. At 25.56 sq km you are fishing a fraction of it whatever you do. Around 21 km of bank, which is a long day on foot. The town to know is Fort McMurray, 156 km out. Then Buffalo Narrows, 178 km, and Fort Smith, 329 km. Near neighbours include: Forrest Lake within 20 km, Dupre Lake a touch under 32 km and Wilkes Lake within 37 km. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Preston Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Public occurrence data for La Loche names northern pike. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. At Preston Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 16°C, with January the cold end at about -21°C. A short, intense season is the rule this far north. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around early May. The lid tends to go about early May and return around early November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Time your trip to Preston Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Forrest Lake at 20 km is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to Preston Lake locally before you travel.