Lake Diefenbaker

Lake Diefenbaker

Lake Diefenbaker is one of the most popular fresh water lakes in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada for activity, leisure and adventure. To some in the province the lake is referred to as, "Saskatchewan's Great Lake."

The lake measures 225 kilometres (141 mi.) long and includes a shoreline measuring 800 kilometres (510 mi.). South of the lake is the community of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada. Located along the shores of the lake are the towns and villages of Riverhurst, Elbow, Whitecap Dakato First Nation, Central Butte, Outlook, Beechy and Macrorie.

Lake Diefenbaker was created in 1967 from the damming of the South Saskatchewan River(Gardiner Dam) and the Qu'Appelle River (Qu'Appelle River Dam). The lake was later named after the late John G. Diefenbaker who was the 13th Prime Minister of Canada governing Canada from June 21, 1957 to April 22, 1963.

Located along the shoreline of the lake are cottages, villages and parks. The are provincial and regional parks in the region - many with access to Lake Diefenbaker. The parks include the Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park, Danielson Provincial Park, Douglas Provincial Park, Outlook & District Regional Park and the Palliser Regional Park. And not far away from the lake are the trails of Coteau Hills.

Lake Diefenbaker is a year round destination for adventure. During the summer months activities enjoyed include boating, fishing, birding, water skiing, golfing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, houseboating and camping. In the winter months snowmobiling and ice fishing is permitted on the lake only.

Ask some and Lake Diefenbaker is home to some of the best fishing in the region. It has even been said that the lake has the highest concentration of fish in the province. The lake is home to many different species of fish including northern pike, walleye, sauger, burbot, yellow perch, goldeye, atlantic salmon and rainbow and lake trout.

Along the shoreline of the lake are various points with marinas and boat launches. The full service marinas are located in the villages of Riverhurst and Elbow. The Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park also employs a full service marina.

How to get to Lake Diefenbaker :

Access the lake from the marinas, boat launches, communities and provincial and regional parks mentioned above.

Drive : From Swift Current, SK travel north on Highway #4. Take the Highway #342 exit and continue east. Then take a right onto Hwy #42 and then a left onto Hwy #45. Follow signs.