Saskatchewan anglers kick off 2026 ice fishing season on Last Mountain Lake

Winter anglers are hitting Regina Beach to mark the beginning of the ice fishing season in Saskatchewan. Damian Smith has the story.

Though ice fishing can be a frigid experience, many anglers have found a way to make it as warm of an experience as possible.

At Regina Beach, ice shacks of all shapes and sizes are scattered across the lake, representing a popular getaway during the winter holidays.

Some avid anglers also rent out shacks, which can hold up to six people, making the sport as accessible as they can make it.

“We have all the holes drilled for you; we have the rods and the lures that are working here. We give you a little bit of a demo and you’re kind of set up for the day,” said Brad Zarr, the owner of Ice Shack Rentals. “It’s a completely different experience going out and staying on the lake and being on the lake throughout the night and catching fish as well.”

Ice Shack Rentals owns five units across Regina Beach, with four-day shacks and one overnight shack.

Zarr and his son, Bennett, say ice fishing is a good transition into taking up the activity year-round, especially with the patience needed to make a catch.

“I think that ice fishing is actually probably more popular than summer fishing,” said Brad. “You have access to the whole lake; you don’t need a boat. If you’re looking to get into ice fishing, you can buy a hand auger for probably a hundred bucks right now and a good entry level fishing rod for about $25 to $30.”

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While Bennett helps out with the fishing accommodations, it reminds Brad of his childhood out on the lake.

“We used to spend our summers in the month of July at the lake in our camper,” he explained. “Along with my two brothers, we had a paddle boat and we would go and paddle around and catch fish.”

Fishing can definitely be a family experience, for those looking to pass down the passion through generations.

The Grodinskys made the trek to Regina Beach for a day trip. Siblings Peter and Mila fished alongside their dad, Rob.

For Mila, she enjoys the patience in waiting for the catch of a fish.

“I like when it takes time and when you catch the fish, it looks cool,” she said.

While the warmth inside can be considered a luxury on its own, the Zarrs also have installed a TV with an underwater camera to give an expanded fishing experience.

Arriving at 1 p.m., they stayed cozy for six hours while temperatures ranged from -13 C and -21 C outside.

“It’s been really great to just show up, and all of this was all ready to go. It’s so nice and warm here, it’s just been really great to be able to just show up and have everything ready for you,” Rob explained. “I think if we had come up without a shack, we’d be here for maybe an hour or so. But here, we’ll probably be out here all day.”

Regina Beach continues to be a consistent hot spot for anglers over the winter months, as according to Brad Zarr, populations have stayed consistent over recent memory.