The fishing right on Scott Lake is world class. With Premier Lake and Scott Lake right at our doorstep, there's about 150,000 acres of water with 350 miles of shoreline, but a lot of guests love the adventure and excitement of flying to a lake that is all their's for the day.
Species Code: (P) Pike (T) Trout (G) Grayling
Species are ranked in order of abundance.
Acreage numbers are estimates.
ABITAU (T) (P) (29,000 acres): In just a few years Abitau has developed a great reputation as a first class trout and pike lake. Some of our heaviest lakers are taken here. It's a long lake with many deep holes in a sandy bottom, similar to Dunvagen. It's an incredible lake trout fishery that produces lots of pike, especially when the eel grass and cabbage patches are up.
BEAUVAIS (T) (P) (44,000 acres): A relatively new lake in the Scott Lake Lodge fly out system, Beauvais is a beautiful, sprawling lake that still has not yet been fished top to bottom. There is a lot of exploring to do, especially in the southern end of the lake. In just two years though, it has become the "go-to" trophy trout lake for many of our guides. It's definitely in the same league as Abitau or Dunvegan for really big trout and some days it's just on fire. It also offers great pike action with pike as big as 47" coming out of the lake. Some of the shallow bays have produced terrific numbers. But lakers are the main draw here. One deep hole about 20 minutes from the put-in has been a consistent producer. This lake is a keeper.
DUBAWNT RIVER (G): If you don't like to hike, we can put you down right on the great grayling water just downstream of Ivanhoe. After a very short walk (5 minutes) you can fish over a mile of beautiful grayling water. Lots of 18" fish have been taken here. For the dry-fly angler, this is heaven. There are slippery rocks but the current is not heavy. (Wading from shore)
DUNVAGEN (T) (P) (28,000 acres): It's a tough call to decide if Dunvagen is a trout lake or pike lake. It's terrific for both species. Over the years Dunvagen has produced more double digit (per boat) lake trout days than any other. There are good sized deep holes (60-70 feet) in the sandy lakebed that concentrate the lakers, especially mid-season. Lots of first class pike bays and plenty of cabbage for late season. It's simply as close to a sure bet for sensational fishing as you will find anywhere.
GARDINER (P) (T) (G) (22,000 acres): If you like your pike big long and fat this is the place. You may not get the steady action of Ivanhoe or Labyrinth but your odds of monster pike are higher. In recent years it has produced lots of 45"+ fish including three 49 inchers. And these are fish with tremendous girth. Gardiner has one first rate trout hole for mid-season trolling and recently has had great shallow water trout fishing in June and July. The grayling fishing requires a 15-20 minute hike but you could easily get your Trophy Triple in one day here. One of the guide's favorites.
IVANHOE (P) (T) (G) (56,000 acres): Ivanhoe has always been the pike lake by which we measure the rest: it's the gold standard. Its large size allows a lot of fishing pressure. You will not see more than a third of the lake in a typical day. The action is usually fast. It has not produced our largest pike but probably averages more trophy pike (40" or better) than any other lake. Lots of shallow bays and lots of cabbage. It's steady all season. One large hole near the plane produces trophy trout. The grayling fishing is excellent but requires a 20 minute hike. Very scenic lake.
LABYRINTH (P) (G) (30,000 acres): Just downstream of Ivanhoe, Labyrinth has a near cult following with some guides, especially in the late season when lots of cabbage is available. It has classic early season bays as well. Early in the season there are some lakers in the river inlet but it's the big pike that lure the anglers here. Labyrinth is known for particularly fat, girthy pike. It's also one of our most dependable trophy grayling locations. A short hike (10-15 minutes) gets you to the spot.
LEFTY FALLS (G): Lefty falls is a spectacular place, one of Saskatchewan's "Seven Wonders". And it's yours for the day. Picture a national park without handrails, signs or any other people. Then picture lots of eager grayling. There is a steep 15-20 minute hike from the plane to the river and the rocks are very slippery. If you're not in reasonable shape take another choice for grayling. Especially during mid and late season the grayling action can be sensational. It's much like fishing a western trout river except there are lots more grayling than trout. (Wading from shore)
SANDY (P) (G) (15,000 acres): Sandy is one of our top big pike producers. Like Ivanhoe and Labyrinth its part of the Dubawnt River system. It's a shallow lake with lots of aquatic vegetation. Sandy has produced lots of double digit trophy pike days and like Gardiner gets more than its share of the real monsters. The water is fairly dark so sight fishing is not part of the package. Just lots of big pike. And solid grayling fishing which here can be done right from the boat.
SMALLTREE (P) (T) (G) (47,000 acres): There is only one thing about Smalltree that isn't wonderful: it's a long ways from the lodge. The flight requires nearly an hour but in the judgment of just about everyone who has fished the lake, it's time well spent. Smalltree has produced a tremendous number of trophy pike including a 50.5" monster in 2006. It is a shallow lake, part of the same river system (the Dubawnt) as Ivanhoe, Labyrinth and Sandy-all first rate fisheries. Smalltree however is blessed with an abundance of cabbage and other aquatic vegetation that concentrate pike. Early season finds pike at Smalltree in literally inches of water. The water clarity is not like Scott's so sight fishing is not part of the experience, just savage hits from out of nowhere. There are trophy trout as well there but it's not a great trout lake. It does have some of our best grayling fishing at the outlet, a boat ride of about 25 minutes with lots of pike spots en route. A Trophy Triple or even 100+Club day is entirely possible here. Due to the greater flying distance, the cost of the Smalltree experience is way at the top end of our fly out opportunities but the fishing is tops as well. Scenically it is clearly at the top of our list, with a dramatic sand ridges and true to its name a distinctively tundra feel.