Canada's Massive Artificial Lake Is A Vacation Gem With Scenic Golf Greens, Fishing, And Boating

Canadians know how to make the most of their natural spoils, and sometimes it's about preserving what's already there. Other times, the country might slightly improve upon Mother Nature's creation. The latter is the case with Lake Diefenbaker, an artificial lake created in the 1960s by damming the Qu'Appelle River and South Saskatchewan River. This is what makes Diefenbaker such an enormous lake. The 140-mile-long reservoir has almost 500 miles of shoreline and could even, at times, be mistaken for a river rather than a lake.

Lake Diefenbaker is the largest body of water in the southern part of Canada's Saskatchewan Province thanks to its impressive length. With this size and ample shoreline comes a variety of outdoor activities, waterfront parks and towns, and water-based recreation. What began as a damming project to help store and control the South Saskatchewan River has become a beloved vacation spot for people who love getting out on the water. "Beautiful place, clean water, and some great fishing," one visitor wrote in a Google review. One of the more surprising activities here isn't even on the water, but rather on the greens. 

Lake Diefenbaker has a handful of lakefront golf courses spread across its 500-mile shoreline. Their positions overlooking the water make them some of the more scenic places to enjoy a round in the country. Sage View Golf Course is one of the highest-rated options here, located on one of the lake's bends. The public course offers nine holes with panoramic vistas of the water and surrounding countryside. You can also practice your swing at the on-site driving range and putting green. Some golfers opt for Stay 'n Play packages with the adjacent Mainstay Inn Resort & Restaurant. Others camp or park their RV in the nearby Palliser Regional Park camping area.

Harbor Golf Club in the lakeside village of Elbow is another popular course located at the top of Lake Diefenbaker's T-shaped split. Here you can play through an 18-hole championship course that overlooks the lake's pristine water and sandy beaches. These holes are as challenging to play as they are pretty to look at. Many have difficult traps to navigate, including greens surrounded by sand bunkers and long fairways with water on either side. After your round, pop into the club's restaurant for a refreshing drink on the patio overlooking the lake, marina, and the big Canadian sky. You can also stay and play here either by booking a place at Sarah's Cove Condo Rentals or checking into the club's seasonal RV park.

Many of the courses here also have nearby marinas where golfers can dock their boats for the day or overnight. Sask Landing Golf Resort offers nearby marina access, as well as 18 championship holes with stunning lake and hillside views from every tee and green. Play on a Monday to only pay $2 per hole (plus tax), including a powered cart.

One of the reasons Lake Diefenbaker is such a great vacation spot is its fishing opportunities. It's one of the nine cleanest lakes in Canada, so you can rest assured the fish are prospering beneath that calm surface. The abundance of game fish, such as northern pike, trout, walleye, and perch, makes it one of the country's top sport fishing destinations. It's such a renowned spot that it now hosts multiple fishing tournaments each year, including three major competitions between May and July. You can launch your own boat or book a local fishing charter to reel in these beauties.

Boating is another popular pastime here, for those with and without fishing gear. The lake's length means you can boat in quite different environments. Sections of open water let kite surfers and sailors catch the breeze, while sheltered coves allow water skiers and wakeboarders to ride across a calmer surface. Kayakers and paddle boarders can also enjoy its relatively tranquil water during leisurely paddles. Or you could simply cruise along the lake, dropping anchor at some of its long, sandy beaches for leisurely days in the sunshine. The surplus of marinas here also caters to boaties wanting to spend multiple nights on the water.

You can drive to Lake Diefenbaker's western end in about 4.5 hours from Calgary, the "Country Music Capital of Canada." Going to the other end, you can reach the lake in just over one hour from Saskatoon or two hours from Regina. Various campgrounds and RV parks rest along the shoreline, along with a smattering of hotels. You could also book a hotel in Saskatoon, a hip prairie destination with craft beers and art tours, and make Lake Diefenbaker a rewarding day trip.