Fishing Lake
Current Status
The Water Security Agency (WSA) continues to actively manage higher than normal water levels at Fishing Lake in collaboration with the local Watershed Association. For the last two years, gates in the emergency channel have been left open to assist with the flow of water through the system. By fall 2025, lake levels had returned to near‑normal conditions. However, overwinter conditions and late spring snowstorms generated an above normal snowpack and runoff conditions that are well above normal.
In early May, the lake started to respond to runoff conditions and has increased in recent days. The current lake level (May 4, 2026) is 530.45 metres above sea level. Snowpack levels over the winter were considered well above normal, and spring runoff in 2026 is anticipated to be consistent with an event larger than 1 in 25-year runoff event. Based on current forecasts, lake levels are expected to rise to approximately 530.8-530.9 m asl and the Flood Relief Channel is currently open to facilitate the movement of excess water downstream.
Fishing Lake is a closed basin lake located in east central Saskatchewan, southeast of the community of Wadena. Home to several cottage developments, the lake is a popular summer retreat.
As a closed basin lake, water levels are determined by inflows from the surrounding area and are not controlled by a traditional barrier such as a dam. Due to the relatively flat nature of the topography, there are minimal outflows from the basin. The lake relies on evaporation, movement of water through the natural system and through the flood relief or emergency channel to manage higher water levels when needed. Operations of the flood relieve channel may not reduce peak water levels in Fishing Lake. Instead, it was designed to facilitate the movement of water out of the system once lake levels begin to recede. By increasing outflow after the peak, the channel accelerates the drawdown rate, reducing the duration of prolonged high water conditions. While elevated water levels may still take several months to fully recede, operation of the channel shortens the overall recovery period. The outlet itself is very flat and marshy which naturally limits how quickly water can move out of this lake.
Historically, lake levels are a concern for cottage owners and the local Fishing Lake First Nation. The Water Security Agency has been working with stakeholders in the area for years, including the First Nation, cottage owners and the Fishing Lake Watershed Association. WSA has assisted with the installation of berms around the lake to address areas prone to flooding and constructed a downstream channel to assist with moving excess water.
Even when water levels remain below the flood protection berms, high winds can create strong waves, particularly during the open water season. Strong winds can generate waves and wind driven water movement, temporarily raising water levels or causing wave run up that may exceed the berms. This can result in localized shoreline flooding, particularly in cottage developments, even when overall lake levels are not higher than the flood protection infrastructure.
Since fall 2024, WSA has worked collaboratively to improve water level management at the site. These efforts included removing sheet pile from the weir and operating the emergency channel gates continuously to increase outflow. Over the past two years, WSA and the Province of Manitoba agreed to keep the gates open throughout the winter to support ongoing water level management. These combined actions have contributed to lower lake levels through the summer of 2025.
While efforts have been made to address concerns from residents, WSA continues to research potential long term solutions including the collection of additional hydrometric data, the use of drone footage to identify areas that may constrain water flows, and the evaluation of potential options for channel clearing and silt removal where feasible.
We remain committed to working with partners and keeping local communities informed as conditions evolve.
An Experienced Team
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