Fishing Lakes facts for kids

The Fishing Lakes are a group of four beautiful lakes in the Qu'Appelle Valley in Saskatchewan, Canada. They are about 40 miles (64 km) northeast of Regina, Saskatchewan. These lakes are a popular spot for summer fun and relaxation.

The four main lakes are Pasqua, Echo, Mission, and Katepwa Lakes. You'll find provincial parks, public swimming beaches, private cottages, and summer camps along their shores. A smaller fifth lake, Lake Muscowpetung, is west of Pasqua Lake. It's often not included when people talk about the Fishing Lakes because it's much smaller.

The lakes get their water from the Qu'Appelle River, from underground water sources called aquifers, and from many small creeks. These creeks flow through special valleys called coulees that open into the main valley.

Qu'Appelle Indian Residential School on Mission Lake in 1921

What are the Fishing Lakes?

The Fishing Lakes are a chain of four main lakes: Pasqua, Echo, Mission, and Katepwa. They are connected by the slow-moving Qu'Appelle River. This area is known for its many cottages and is a favorite summer getaway.

Why are they called the Fishing Lakes?

Even though they are called the Fishing Lakes, there was once an idea to rename them the "Calling Lakes." This name would connect them to a famous legend about the Qu'Appelle Valley. However, many local people who know the history of the area did not like this idea. So, the name "Fishing Lakes" has stayed.

Water Quality and Algae

The water in the Fishing Lakes moves very slowly. The Qu'Appelle River is quite small by the time it reaches this part of the valley. Also, water running off nearby farms can carry a lot of fertilizer into the lakes.

Because of these things, the lakes often get a lot of algae, especially in the summer. By August, the beaches might not be good for swimming. People who want to swim often need to go out into deeper water by boat.

B-Say-Tah Point on Echo Lake, 2008

Places to Visit

There are several interesting places located around the Fishing Lakes.

Fort Qu'Appelle

Fort Qu'Appelle is a resort town located between Echo and Mission Lakes. It used to be an important trading post for the Hudson's Bay Company. Today, the original buildings of the trading post are kept as a museum. This museum is right next to the modern town.

Fort San looking towards Fort Qu'Appelle, 1920s

Other Notable Spots

• The Qu'Appelle Indian Residential School was once located on the south shore of Mission Lake.
• The "Echo" site is near Lebret, above a beautiful mission church.
• Fort San was once a hospital for people with tuberculosis. Later, it became a well-known summer school for the arts. It was closed by the government in the 1990s.
• There are many resort communities on all four of the Fishing Lakes. Some of the most well-known are B-Say-Tah and Katepwa beaches.

Echo Lake, south shore

Images for kids

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  Katepwa Lake

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  Pasqua Lake

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  Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church at Lebret with Mission Lake in the background

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  Katepwa Lake

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  Fort Qu'Appelle from across Echo Lake, viewed from the north-west, c. 1910

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  Fort Qu'Appelle, Broadway Street, c. 1948