Joel Thiessen will be at the Meadow Lake Library on Saturday at 2 pm to discuss mushroom foraging season. (Image Credit: ID 37385007 © Arne9001 | Dreamstime.com)

By Ryan Lambert

Mushroom picking

Sask. mushroom expert discusses the dangers of mushroom foraging ahead of the season

May 14, 2026 | 5:00 PM

As the season approaches to forage wild mushrooms, people in Saskatchewan may pick it up as a new hobby, but it’s important to understand what you’re looking for.

“Learn the ones that will kill you first,” said mushroom expert Donovan Thiessen, who started the Facebook group ‘Saskatchewan Mushroom Picking’ in 2020. “You can post your photos of what you find, and experts will weigh in on what they are.”

For beginners, Thiessen also recommended that people don’t pick alone for their first few times. “It’s actually quite a dangerous hobby,” he said.

While they aren’t universal features, there are certain tells that a mushroom is toxic. “If you’re brand new to this hobby and you’re learning about different types of mushrooms, avoid the ones with gills,” said Thiessen. “We do have a few without gills that are quite toxic, but you’re eliminating a good portion of the mushrooms that can hurt you.”

(Image Credit: ID 21092698 © Bjorn Hovdal | Dreamstime.com)

Mushroom picking

Sask. mushroom expert discusses the dangers of mushroom foraging ahead of the season

38m ago

One home lost

Families displaced after fast-moving grass fire hits Mistawasis Nêhiyawak

2h ago

Back in the swing of things

Cooke Municipal officially open Thursday ahead of packed Northern Team Championship

4h ago

Thiessen mentioned that there are mushrooms with “these little teeth hanging down on the bottom instead of gills,” but said that he doesn’t know of any toothed mushroom that is toxic.

In terms of a better time of day to forage, Thiessen said it’s as simple as going out when you can see the mushrooms the best.

“I like to go out around 10 because the sun isn’t directly in my eyes anywhere I look. Then go until about three or four because the lighting starts to change at that time and then it’s harder to see what’s on the ground.”

The recent floods in Saskatchewan have put a damper on a lot, but it actually helps mushroom season.

“It’ll be great. The more moisture, the better, unless it’s underwater.”

Thiessen will be speaking at the Meadow Lake library on May 16, where he will be going more in depth on mushroom season.

“I’m going to go through some terminology, the types of photos that you need to take to identify mushrooms. I’m going to go through the toxic species in the area, (and) a good portion of the edible species in the area”

Thankfully, there are a lot more edible species of mushrooms than toxic, but that doesn’t make it any less important to know what to identify. “It’s just that the toxic species, especially the common ones, are so lethal. As to really be worth scaring people away if they’re not willing to put in the time and the energy to do the research.”

—

Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com

by Ryan Lambert

Sask. mushroom expert discusses the dangers of mushroom foraging ahead of the season

What's Trending