Fishing season opened today for the southern zone in Saskatchewan, and there are a number of places around the southeast that draw anglers.

Closest to Estevan are Boundary Dam, known as the only large-mouth bass fishing in the province, Rafferty Dam, and Coal Pit C.

The Alameda Reservoir, which became Grant Devine Lake in 2017, Kenosee Lake, and White Bear Lake a few other popular spots in the area.

The southern management zones accounted for 67 per cent of the angling effort in Saskatchewan, according to the 2015 Survey of Recreational Fishing in Canada.

Fisheries Biologist with the Ministry of Environment Gord Sedgewick said walleye is the most popular species overall, though there are some unique opportunities to catch other fish.

Coal Pit C, located just west of Estevan, is dependent on stocking. Currently it has perch, splake, tiger trout, and brook trout. It used to have rainbow trout, though Sedgewick said stocking histories from 1976 to 2020 show they are no longer stocked.

Sedgewick helped survey the area 44 years ago.

"It looked like a moonscape, except with trees growing up and deer everywhere. And this was only one of a number of pits we investigated for possibilities. I think even back in the early 30s there were perch in there not stocked by us. Freedom stocking."

The Boundary Dam reservoir south of Estevan is the only place where large-mouth bass have survived stocking attempts due to the power plant.

"The water is kept warm, or warmer, year round by the power plant," said Sedgewick. "As long as it continue to operate for I believe about 10 more years, they introduce a now-unique large-mouth bass population, which is a warm-water species that probably doesn't prefer or like Saskatchewan winters, will survive for 10 or more years maybe. And maybe climate change will help."

Sedgewick said they tried stocking some other "very southern lakes" in the province, but none of those attempts were successful.

Sedgewick added that some large-mouth bass spill over into the Rafferty Dam reservoir during open-water season, though he's not sure if any survive winters. He also was curious whether koi are still reproducing in Boundary. A 30-pounder was caught in 2014.

Some people are looking to change bass fishing in Boundary to catch and release only, according to Sedgewick, so they're looking at doing a study on fish species in that water.

"So we planned an electro-fishing boat survey, if not this year then next year. And there's a COVID-related comment: waiting one year to ensure for many years is really okay by me."

When looking at stocking history from 1959 to 2013, natural reproduction is now occurring for all species introduced to Boundary, according to Sedgewick. That includes walleye, pike, one stocking of yellow perch, and three stockings of large-mouth bass in fingerlings in 1983, 1984, and 1986.

"Bullheads, which were common, aren't so common anymore there. Walleye are abundant so fishing has been really good."

Sedgewick also touched on a few nearby fishing locations.

He said the Grant Devine Lake, known as the Alameda Dam reservoir until 2017, has had a reputation for some of the best angling in the province. He added that walleye there are "represented by a good range of size and age classes."

He also said that while walleye is "pretty good" in Kenosee Lake, a lot of anglers are going to White Bear Lake for more success. He attributed that to White Bear being a "less productive" lake, with less food overall, meaning hooks are more attractive to walleye.

The first day of fishing in the central zone is May 15, and in the northern zone is May 25.

You can find an angler's map with information on species in various bodies of water HERE.