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Some think that the fishing season ends with the end of summer, but folks that live in our neck of the woods know better. The arrival of winter marks the beginning of the ice fishing season.
Ice fishing has long been a rural pastime, with Buck Lake having commercial fishery status in the mid-1900s.
Let’s move to the farthest west body of water in Brazeau County, the Brazeau Reservoir. Do not fish on the dam, fluctuating water levels beneath the ice make walking on this body of water a very dangerous undertaking. However, if you hop, skip and jump over to the Brazeau Canal, you will find an open water haven where you can fish. The canal doesn’t freeze during the winter months allowing for off shore fishing that just might remind you of summer, albeit with gloves and hot chocolate. So what are we catching at the canal? Northern Pike mostly (Jackfish).
Not too far from the Brazeau Canal is the hamlet of Lodgepole. Not only can you purchase some fishing tackle at the historic general store, you can also head over to the Lodgepole stocked trout pond and spend an afternoon fishing. The pond is a small body of water that is enclosed by tall lodgepole pine. Which may make this the best option on a particular blustery day.
Heading from the west end to the east end of Brazeau County is Sardine Lake near Breton; this is a small stocked lake with rainbow trout and perch. Legend has it that Sardine Lake is a cheeky joke, because when the lake was stocked with perch they did not grow very large, hence the name sardine.
Sardine Lake is an enclosed small lake and similar to the Lodgepole pond will provide some protection during a cold winter day. Also in the vicinity but not in the region is Buck Lake off of Hwy 13. This lake is large and can be prone to wind gusts, so bring a shelter, or plan to go out on a warm day.
Lake life isn’t just for fishing
While you are at the lakes in the region, bring your snow mobile, skates or cross country skis because there is so much more winter that can be squeezed out of a weekend at the lake.
