Pike Fishing at Reindeer Lake, Northern Saskatchewan

Reindeer Lake: The Ultimate Fishing Expedition to the Land of Giants

There’s something magical about chasing fish in a place where few have cast a line. That’s exactly what Jeremy Smith, Jeff Simpson, Mike Hehner, and the Wired2Fish crew set out to do—embark on an epic adventure to the legendary Reindeer Lake in Northern Saskatchewan. With their Lund boats loaded to the brim, they drove over 1,300 miles, crossing landscapes as vast as their expectations. Their goal? Monster pike and shallow-spawning lake trout in a remote, nearly untouched paradise.

The Journey: Driving to a Fly-In Destination

Reindeer Lake is typically a fly-in-only destination, but these anglers had a different plan. They towed their fully-rigged Lund boats—1875 Pro Guides and a 2075 Pro-V Bass—across two days of relentless driving. The road trip was grueling, but the anticipation made every mile worth it. After arriving at the Lawrence Bay Lodge air base, the crew was itching to get on the water. The dream was finally happening.

First Casts, First Monsters

The first few casts told them everything they needed to know—this place was loaded. Jeff fired his lure into the shallows and, on his second cast, connected with a giant northern pike. In seconds, the fight was on. Whitewater exploded, rods bent, and before long, a trophy pike was in the boat. It was chaos, it was exhilarating, and it was only the beginning.

“This is nuts,” Jeff said, shaking his head in disbelief. “Three casts, two giant fish. You don’t find this anywhere else.”

Lake Trout in the Shallows: A Rare Opportunity

September is a special time on Reindeer Lake. As the water temperature drops to around 50-55°F, lake trout move up to the shallows to spawn. This presents a unique opportunity—casting for big lakers in water shallow enough to see them charge your bait.

With the glass-calm water acting like an aquarium, they watched lake trout roll and strike. It was surreal. One after another, they hauled in beautifully marked lakers, their white-edged fins glowing like neon. The action was so hot that within minutes, they had the perfect candidates for a legendary shore lunch.

Shore Lunch: Fresh Fish, No Plates Required

A good fishing trip isn’t complete without a shore lunch, and this one did not disappoint. With fresh pike and lake trout sizzling over an open fire, the group sat back, soaked in the scenery, and laughed about forgotten plates and improvised utensils.

“When you forget the plates, you make do,” Mike said, scooping trout onto a makeshift serving board. “It tastes even better this way.”

The simplicity of it all—remote wilderness, fresh fish, and good company—was the kind of experience every angler dreams of.

The Battle for Giant Pike Continues

With lunch devoured and spirits high, it was time to hunt for the true giants of Reindeer Lake. The back bays were alive with massive northern pike, their ambush instincts in full force. The crew tossed oversized tube jigs, lipless crankbaits, and even fly rods into the mix, drawing out prehistoric predators with each cast.

Suddenly, Jeremy hooked into something different. The fish hit like a freight train, peeling line and thrashing through the shallows. It was the one they had been waiting for. As it neared the boat, its sheer size became apparent—this was a trophy.

“Holy cow, look at the back on this thing!” Jeremy shouted as Jeff reached for the net. With a final lunge, the beast was in the boat. Cheers erupted. This was it. The fish of a lifetime.

A Trip to Remember

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues, the crew reflected on their adventure. The miles traveled, the sleepless nights, the preparation—it had all led to this. Reindeer Lake had delivered, and then some.

“This is what we dream about,” Jeremy said, looking out over the vast, untouched wilderness. “And this place? This place is special.”

With full hearts and sore arms, they knew one thing for certain: they’d be back.