The 10 Largest Lakes In Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan is a Canadian province located in the country's prairie region. The province occupies an area of 651,900 km², of which nearly 10% is freshwater. In fact, Saskatchewan has more than 100,000 lakes, numerous rivers, and reservoirs. Lake Athabasca is the largest lake in Saskatchewan. The largest lakes in Saskatchewan are highlighted below.

The Five Largest Lakes in Saskatchewan

1. Lake Athabasca

Lake Athabasca is the largest lake in Saskatchewan and the eighth largest in Canada. The lake has an area of 7,850 km², 74% of which is located in Saskatchewan, while the remainder is located in the province of Alberta. The lake has a maximum width of 50 km and a maximum depth of 124 m, making it the deepest lake in both Saskatchewan and Alberta. The Peace River, Athabasca River, Fond du Lac River, and MacFarlane River are among the lake's primary inflows, while Rivière des Rochers is its primary outflow, which then meets with the Peace River to form the Slave River. The lake is home to 23 species of fish, including lake trout, walleye, northern pike, lake whitefish, burbot, and longnose sucker.

2. Reindeer Lake

Reindeer Lake occupies an area of 6,500 km², ranking as the second largest lake in Saskatchewan and the ninth largest in Canada. The lake is located on the Saskatchewan-Manitoba provincial border, although the vast majority (92%) is located in Saskatchewan. Reindeer Lake has a maximum depth of 219 m, and its primary inflow and outflow are the Cochrane River and the Reindeer, respectively. The lake contains many islands and its shoreline is heavily indented. The fishing industry thrives in the area, with species that include walleye, yellow trout, northern pike and lake trout. 

3. Wollaston Lake

With an area of 2,286 km², Wollaston Lake is Saskatchewan’s third most extensive lake. It is also the world’s largest bifurcation lake, which means that the lake naturally drains in two different directions. The Gelkie River is Wollaston Lake's primary inflow, while the Fond du Lac River and the Cochrane River are its primary outflows. Water from the Fond du Lac River ultimately drains into the Arctic Ocean, and water that exits the lake through the Cochrane River eventually reaches Hudson Bay. Wollaston Lake contains numerous fish species, including walleye, Arctic grayling, northern pike, and lake whitefish.

4. Cree Lake

Cree Lake is the fourth largest lake in Saskatchewan. The lake covers an area of 1,152 km² and has a maximum depth of 60 m. The Cree River serves as the lake's primary outflow. Cree Lake contains numerous fish species, including lake trout, lake whitefish, walleye, white sucker, and burbot.

5. Lac La Ronge

Saskatchewan’s fifth biggest lake, Lac La Ronge, has a surface area of 1,413 km² and a maximum depth of 42.1 m. The lake is located on the edge of the Canadian Shield, about 250 km from Prince Albert, which is Saskatchewan's third-largest city. Lac La Ronge and its shores are a popular recreational area, where visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, and canoeing. Several rivers feed the lake, including the Nikepamew River, Montreal River, and Bow River, while the Rapid River is its primary outflow.