Nipawin Pike Festival reels in memories, family fun and a few big prizes 

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The festival began in 1969 and, despite a couple of interruptions over the decades, has become one of northeastern Saskatchewan’s most enduring community events. For a $5 entry fee, anglers can try their luck on tagged pike from Father’s Day to Sept. 30, with prizes ranging from cash and gift certificates to a major fishing trip. 

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“It’s just a great family activity and it doesn’t cost you a lot to fish,” Hidlebaugh said. “You catch a tagged pike and it could be worth anywhere from $100 cash if it’s a previous year’s tag, up to gift certificates and some bigger prizes we’ll be announcing soon.” 

Her words were echoed this past Monday by Mayor Marlon Zacharias, who pointed out an obvious truth; there are no bad fishing days.

“I was always taught from a young age that a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work,” he said.

The annual festival kicks off with Media Days at the beginning of June, who start with golf on Sunday at the Evergreen Golf Course and then its an early start on Monday for a full day of fishing on Tobin Lake.

New members are sworn in and three tags are chosen for the top three prizes. After that, the remaining tags are burned in a ceremonial pike rocket stove.

Media help catch pike throughout the day which have a green spaghetti tag attached to them by a certified tagger. Each tag has a number and can be turned in by anglers who are registered in the tournament for a prize.

For Hidlebaugh, the festival also carries a deeply personal meaning. She said her late husband, Doug, first became involved through media day in the 1970s and quickly fell in love with the event and the area, later helping lead the festival as one of its organizers. 

“He came here to Nipawin and went out fishing, and there was just a whole crew of businessmen that meant so much to this community,” she said. “They made him fall in love with this area.” 

That connection now stretches across generations. Hidlebaugh said her daughter now helps with the event, while her grandsons have pitched in over the years, selling entries and learning the ropes of a festival that has become woven into family life as much as community life. 

In a town that knows the value of tradition, the Pike Festival remains a chance to celebrate local pride, swap stories and maybe land a lucky catch. Or, as Hidlebaugh sees it, another chance to keep something special alive. 

“It’s a wonderful way to bring people together,” she said. “Whether you fish or not, you’re part of it.” 

Kenneth Cheung, reporter with battlefordsNOW, with his first ever fish during the media days kickoff to the Great Nipawin Pike Festival on June 1. (Image Credit: submitted)

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com