Fishing Lake
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.
When runoff from the area began entering the lake in early May, channel gates were already open to facilitate as much water movement through the system as possible. However, due to the relatively flat nature of the area, only minimal outflow can be achieved. Following increased consultation with the Fishing Lake Watershed Authority, Fishing Lake First Nation and the local Rural Municipality, WSA has moved forward on several initiatives that could help increase outflows from the lake, including:
- Increased monitoring of the fully open gates to ensure they are free of debris that could restrict outflows,
- On May 29, 2026, the weir at the southeast corner of the lake was removed to facilitate enhanced outflows,
- Implement channel clearing efforts downstream to further increase outflows.
Even with these enhanced efforts, water levels in the lake are expected to remain higher than normal for the foreseeable future due to the naturally flat lay of the land that does not allow for rapid movement of water through the system. Although the weir has been removed and outflows have increased, it is expected to take months before any significant impact on the overall lake level will be noticed.
Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program
The Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program (EFDRP) provides assistance to implement emergency flood protection measures to protect buildings and/or groundwater wells when faced with imminent risk of flooding. This program supports temporary pumping and permanent flood mitigation projects including construction of berms and dykes, installation of culverts and gates, channel improvements, permanent diversion works, etc. However, this program does not cover costs associated with building repairs or loss of contents. Full EFDRP info can be found here: wsask.ca/irrigation-development/irrigation-development-l1-1/emergency-flood-damage-reduction-program/
Provincial Disaster Assistance Program
When looking for support to replace damaged or lost items or damage to buildings, it is important to contact your insurance provider to discuss coverage that may be in place under any existing insurance policies. If the losses were uninsurable, then there may be support available under the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP). More information on PDAP can be found here: Provincial Disaster Assistance Program | SPSA or by contacting 1-866-632-4033, or by contacting your local municipality.
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
We love our Saskatchewan waterways, and we also know a lot about them. If you need help finding information or determining if your shoreline or water-related project needs a permit, we can help! Use the contact form or give us a call to get started.