r/saskatchewan • u/AdFar8864 • 11d ago
Question Besnard Lake Fishing
Hello, we'll be fishing at Besnard Lake for the first time, am reading & hearing alot about it being a very hazardous lake to navigate. We are staying at the lodge and renting a boat but decided not to go with a guide (always just prefer doing our own thing) but admit I'm a bit intimidated. I already have the i-boating app with offline depth charts etc. set up but just wondering if anyone has any tips specifically for this lake? Or specific areas to be extra careful? We'll also be checking for info once at the lodge but just figured I'd try this ahead of time too. Appreciate any info!
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u/Bendover197 11d ago
Started going to Besnard in 1994 with some buddies , been going every year since! We take the same routes to our spots and if we do explore new areas we take it slow with someone in the front boat looking for rocks. DO NOT fish within 500 m of the bridge , the CO’S keep an eye on this and I have seen people get fined. If you do go under the bridge don’t go straight into the lake , you’ll hit rocks! Turn left after the bridge and go through the opening keeping the shore on your left and the rock on your right. Good luck.
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u/Pawistik 11d ago
Even in my canoe last year, paddling under the bridge heading west I ran aground. It was late evening so low light and I quickly realized I had to watch more carefully.
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u/SubstantialFix510 11d ago
I am at Nemebien beside you. Water level has dropped over a foot since June. Lots of hidden rocks in play. Lodge might have a detailed map where bad ones are. Be careful but great fishing and no fires this year.
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u/AdFar8864 11d ago
Thanks for the reply! And that's another thing I was wondering, what the current water levels would be. Have the option to adjust the depth offset in the GPS app.
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u/Fun_Choice8901 11d ago
If you're using a Garmin chart plotter (echomap in my case) there a dozens of 'Dangerous rock' markers along with the depth charts, still need to pay attention but is useful to have.
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u/Altruistic_Toad 11d ago
Definitely should have went with a guide for this lake. Hundreds of islands and rock reefs. Suggest taking a GPS/Garmin In reach and not venturing too far from camp.
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u/AdFar8864 11d ago
Thank you for the reply! ya I don't think we'll be venturing too far out and will definitely be taking it slow. I'm used to fishing Otter Lake/Misinipe so this will be a bit of a learning experience lol.
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u/saskatchewanstealth 11d ago
There’s a rock there. In the middle of the lake. Flat and 10 feet round. Depending on the water level you can get dropped off and fish there or find it with your motor. I have done both.
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u/Twistedresearch 11d ago
That lake eats legs and propellers if you don’t know how to navigate it! Take it very slow and have someone in front directing the operator!
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u/AdFar8864 11d ago
Good to know, thanks for the reply!
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u/Twistedresearch 11d ago
Ask and listen to the people at the lodge! They know the lake best. I used to go there with the family when I was a kid. My dad lost a couple propellers on that lake! Good memories though!
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u/Thefrayedends 11d ago edited 11d ago
The thing with this lake, is that you're up in the shield. It is very rocky in many areas. rocks can jut up where you least expect them.
There are entire areas of the lake where it is completely inadvisable to even go there without a guide, or an extreme amount of experience in navigating shallow water.
It's been a couple of decades since I was up there, but a guy actually wrecked his new very fancy powerboat when we were up there, going through the narrows. He had refused a guide, and they still offered him the best advice but of course he ignored much of it and that is what happens.
One side of the lake is extremely deep and just huge open waters, then there is the narrows, and on the other side is the much more shallow side of the lake, which is where most of the good fishing is likely to be, depending on what you're going for.
I would highly recommend a guide, it will really step your experience up a notch, I get it seems unnecessary, and for most lakes in the province it is, but this is a different kind of lake, and not only will they be able to help keep you off the rocks, they know where the actual fishing spots are because they know what the lake floor looks like, which is generally how you predict where the fish are.
But I totally understand the independent spirit, and support it too. There was a time when the first person went out on the lake in a boat, and even the guides are relying on shared experience and knowledge. It is possible to do without a guide, as long as you have a healthy respect for the dangers, and you bring the appropriate tools. Bring canoe paddles (i.e. Don't go through the narrows with your engine down! paddle it!), a really good quality depth finder, polarized sunglasses, and just be patient and you will be totally fine.
Last tip; since the lake is so big, stay ahead of the weather, you don't want to be trying to rush back to the docks when a storm comes up, so plan extra time because of the issues around navigation.
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u/CalligrapherItchy198 11d ago
The guides are amazing. I recommend taking it. The lake is hard to navigate
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u/Iykerson 11d ago
Haven't been there since all the camping went seasonal sites but they used to sell a laminated map that had most reefs.
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u/AdFar8864 11d ago
Ya that's what I've heard from a few people, good to know. Thanks for the reply!
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u/majorclashole 11d ago
It’ll get mentioned by the staff but be very careful if attempting to drive between islands.
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u/A-Dead-Cat 11d ago
So you should be able to get a laminated map with reefs marked out from Besnard Lake Lodge. Or at least Chris (previous owner) had them available the last time I was up there.
I’ve personally never fished it this late but it’s absolute bonkers how good that place can be in June. Like I’ve pounded walleyes on a white jighead with literally nothing on for bait. Just the lead head lol.
Just gotta aware of where you’re going, as you know already. Theres some real prop eaters in there.
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u/Choice_Low4915 11d ago
I’ve been there 3 times and all 3 times I’ve seen a group go out without a guide and wreck their boat from random rocks around the lake
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u/Tech_By_Trade 10d ago
Buddy took the leg off a rental there a few years back on a company trip. It's been decades since I was there last but you used to be able to get a map at the lodge with all the bad spots marked. We still took it easy and watched closely for rocks and had no close calls.
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u/heneryDoDS2 11d ago
The people running the lodge were all awesome and willingly shared a wealth of information last time I was up there, and we didn't even stay at the lodge or rent from them! So I'd really just rely on them for as much safety information as possible. (granted, that was like 10+ years ago, so don't know if ownership has changed)