Pack the bags – summer vacation is here!

· Spend the morning or afternoon on the water reeling it in. Bring fishing equipment and jig for walleye or cast a line to catch a pike. Fishing is fun for both the new and experienced visitor and licenses are available at the Visitor Centre, campgrounds, and entrance gates.

· Pack up and travel to the backcountry of the Kingsmere Wilderness Area for a hike or paddle along this pristine lake. The thick forest around is filled with songbirds and the movement of wildlife through the trees. Register out in one of the 8 designated campgrounds at the Visitor Centre before you head out.

· Settle in at one of the campgrounds outside of Waskesiu to be closest with nature and escape the hustle and bustle of Waskesiu. There are three first-come, first-serve campgrounds to park the camper or set up tent in and all have picnic shelters, fire pits, wood supply, and privies. Try the local favorite – the Narrows Campground – to experience a Canadian classic at its best!

· Attend a summer program with family young or old! Park interpretation staff deliver programs everyday throughout July and August. Learn about the natural and cultural history of the park through nature-inspired art, guided hikes, tipi raising, campfire stories and fun fish games! All activities are FREE with your park entry. Check the Summer Program schedule before or when you arrive.

Whether you’re looking for adventure or fun activities for the whole family, a chance to explore nature, or a break from the everyday, Prince Albert National Park has 3,874 km² of protected area with countless unique experiences to suit your needs.

Plan your visit to Prince Albert National Park today!

Events and festivals are ramping up!

Canada Day Celebrations – June 29^th – July 1^st

The big birthday is just around the corner! Waskesiu is one of the few places to spot wildlife, watch a parade, take a refreshing dip in the lake, and enjoy live music all in one day. A number of activities are planned throughout the long weekend plus entry to Prince Albert National Park is FREE on Canada Day! Be sure to come up early to take part in all of the activities and find your spot along the parade route. Visit the Waskesiu Chamber of Commerce for more details

Waskesiu Children’s Festival – July 20^th

This fun-filled day for the whole family is packed with face painting, crafts, fire truck tours, games, demonstrations and more! All activities are free with paid park entry. Visit the events calendar for more information on this and other events occurring in the park this year.

Waskesiu Lakeside Music Festival – August 23^th – 25^th

Grab your dancing shoes, or just kick back and enjoy the musical performances at the 5th Annual Waskesiu Lakeside Music Festival.

The weekend is jam packed with a variety of FREE family activities, including live on-stage musical entertainment, Indigenous performances, food vendors, and beer gardens.

Cabarets (admission charge) are also planned for Friday and Saturday night.

Mark your calendars – this is an event you don’t want to miss!

Please visit: Waskesiu Lakeside Music Festival or email waskesiurecreation@gmail.com to learn more.

Looking for wildlife? Be camera-ready!

The park is a great place to see wildlife anytime of the year. Elk and deer are just starting to have their calves and fawns. And bears have been seen in the park with their cubs! When exploring the park by vehicle, drive slow and have your camera ready for some great shots.

Remember, these animals are unpredictable and must be given LOTS of space. Keep at least 3 bus lengths (30m) from deer, elk, moose, and bison and 10 bus lengths (100m) from bears.

Prince Albert National Park provides exceptional opportunities for visitors to have a safe and enjoyable summer vacation. With pristine lakes, vast forests and abundant wildlife, the natural setting of the park is the perfect place for friends and families to gather and play. To ensure a safe vacation, see Visitor Safety on the park’s website.

Rainy day activities for the kids!

It has been a warm, dry spring and we are looking forward to a little more moisture. And it’s always a good idea to have a rainy day back up for the beach and picnicking. If you are interested in learning about cultural and natural heritage, the park Nature Centre features interactive displays and is open seven days a week through the September long weekend. Discover the cultural and natural heritage of Prince Albert National Park with modern exhibits in the beautiful setting of a recognized federal heritage building. Make sure to pop in to escape the rain (or heat!), ask all of your wildlife questions and get a schedule of the summer programs that are free for everyone to take part in. Looking to explore more? Borrow a nature backpack from the Nature Centre and take the kids around the park to discover more

Creel survey

Prince Albert National Park is conducting a creel survey this summer. Visitors can watch for the “creel crew”. They will be stationed at the boat launches at Kingsmere Lake and Hanging Heart Lakes. Creel survey staff will frequent both sites throughout the summer on weekends and weekdays until Labour Day, September 2, 2019.

All fish caught will be recorded and measured. Anglers will be asked questions about their completed fishing trips including how much time they spent fishing, the species kept for consumption and the number of fish caught and released during their fishing trip. The information collected will help fishery biologists determine current fish populations. Creel survey staff also provide information to anglers about fish ecology, resource management, conservation and best fishing practises.

The objective of the creel survey is to provide reliable information on fish population abundance and fishing pressure. Participation by anglers in the creel survey will help collect data to determine the current health of the park’s fish population and allow management to make informed decision about the management of the resource.

Anglers asked to report their catch

Anglers are asked to return trout endorsement cards and tags to help collect information about the Lake trout population in Prince Albert National Park.

Visitors who fish for Lake trout in Prince Albert National Park must acquire a Lake trout endorsement and numbered tag in addition to a national park fishing permit. An endorsement tag is free and only available at the Visitor Centre in Waskesiu or at the South Gate kiosk. There is an annual catch limit of two Lake trout per year, with a maximum of one trout per day.

The plastic trout tag must be attached through the Lake trout’s gill cavity and mouth immediately once caught and kept. To comply with the regulations, the head with the tag must stay attached to the fish fillets until ready for consumption. A visitor may be asked to show the wardens their catch. The affixed tag shows that the trout was caught legally. The tag stays on the fish until the visitor consumes the fish or leaves the park.

Anglers are asked to complete the information questions on the paper endorsement card and return the information portion. The information asked on the card includes the fish length, weight, date of fishing trip and the lake where the fish was caught. The endorsement card must be returned to the Visitor Centre or any of the collection boxes inside the fish filleting shacks. Collection boxes are located at the Waskesiu marina, Red Deer campground, the Narrows campground, Hanging Heart Lakes’ marina, and Sandy Lake fish filleting station.

An endorsement card must accompany an unused tag for the tag to be valid. All unused trout tags must be returned to Visitor Centre or a collection box by the close of the season in September.

A Lake trout specific netting protocol called Summer Profundal Index Netting (SPIN) is also used to monitor populations and species health. The data collected from the endorsement cards is coupled with Lake trout SPIN research to determine the Lake trout population. SPIN is a standardized method is used all across Canada. By using a standard catching effort Parks Canada is able to calculate an accurate population assessment.

Changes to trout population can signal broader ecosystem changes. Park managers use the data to ensure the Lake trout population remains healthy. In managing national parks, Parks Canada maintains or restores ecological integrity, and provides Canadians with opportunities to discover and enjoy them.

Trout tag prize draw

For the 2019 fishing season, all the trout endorsements that are returned, both used and unused, will be entered into a draw for prizes. To participate, anglers must fill out the tags and include their personal contact information to be eligible. Prizes are:

1. 3 – Parks Canada wood paddles

2. 16 – dry bags

3. 30 – Prince Albert National Park branded brass fishing lures

The draw happens in late September. All returned trout endorsement cards and tags collected from the 2019 fishing season will be eligible for the prize draw.

Contact Us

The Visitor Centre is OPEN DAILY 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visitor services staff are available to help plan your visit and answer any questions you may have. Contact (306) 663-4522 or pc.princealbertinfo.pc@canada.ca

For campground reservations, contact 1-877-737-3783 or www.reservations.pc.gc.ca. Alcohol and cannabis restrictions are in effect in front country campgrounds on all long weekends

by Prince Albert National Park

Pack the bags – summer vacation is here!

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