Rafferty Reservoir

(Mcdonald Lake)

Rafferty Reservoir is a very long skinny reservoir in southern Saskatchewan. It is located just WNW of Estevan, and south of Weyburn. Access to the Regional Park is from Highway 606.

Mainprize Regional Park is located on the north end of the Reservoir. The park has a golf course, campground, cabins, sandy beach, a boat launch, hiking trails, rental cabins, and several cabin subdivisions. There is also a trout pond in the park stocked yearly with rainbow trout.

Walleye, Northern Pike, White Sucker and Yellow Perch can be found in Rafferty Reservoir. It has been stocked with walleye in the past, most recently in 2008. Please note there are custom limits for walleye and yellow perch on the reservoir.

The reservoir is one of the newest lakes in Saskatchewan, only being formed in 1994 when the Rafferty Dam was built on the Souris River. Prior to this, McDonald Lake was just a small lake beside the course of the river.

The Rafferty Reservoir provides water to the city of Estevan and the Shand Power Station.

Regional Park Boat Launch Beach Golf Course
Boundary on map. View on Map
News

Current Conditions

Details

Fishing Zone: Southern Zone
Favourited: 1 times
Photos: 22 photos of Rafferty Reservoir
RM: Cambria No. 6
Parks: Mainprize Regional Park
Location: 49.1931116, -103.2474121
Max Width: 1 km
Max Length: 56 km
Max Depth: 15 m (49 ft)

Recent Activity

May 14, 2026
Mainprize Regional Park is closed today due to wind/weather. Currently no power/internet and there is a precautionary drinking water advisory. See linked FB post for more info.
By Matt - SaskLakes.ca • 1 month ago

About this page

Hi, this is Matthew Siemens. I wrote and compiled the data on this page from a variety of sources. Sources include government websites and data sources, public websites, personal experience, and user-submitted information. References for this page.

Comments, experiences, questions, and answers

Add Comment
Matt - SaskLakes.ca
Mainprize Regional Park is closed today due to wind/weather. Currently no power/internet and there is a precautionary drinking water advisory. See linked FB post for more info.
🎣 2 catches – Northern Pike (7lb), Walleye (4lb)
View full details on your catch log.
Matt - SaskLakes.ca
May 28, 2025
Stopped in to check out the lake, very nice beach and other amenities in the Regional Park.
🎣 2 catches – Northern Pike (7lb), Walleye (4lb)
View full details on your catch log.
Matt - SaskLakes.ca
May 15, 2024
The public fishing dock at the regional park is out and ready for use!
🎣 2 catches – Northern Pike (7lb), Walleye (4lb)
View full details on your catch log.

Directions to Rafferty Reservoir

View Lake on Google Maps

Get directions to the lake: here

Note: this just takes you to the closest road to the centre of the lake, and may not be the best route to get to the lake.

For directions directly to a service/amenity at the lake click on one of the listings in Services & Amenities

Events

I don't know of any events at this time.

Map

Explore Rafferty Reservoir with our interactive map.

View on Map

Mainprize Regional Park

Contact

Phone: Administration: (306) 458-2364 Golf Phone: (306) 458-2452 Camp Phone (In season): (306) 458-2865 Camp Phone (Off Season): (306) 458-2362
Website: https://saskregionalparks.ca/park/mainprize/
Mailing Address: Box 488 Midale, SK S0C 1S0
Social: Facebook

Amenities

  • Ball Diamonds
  • Beach Area
  • Cabin Rental
  • Camping (Electricity and Water)
  • Camping Seasonal
  • Fish Filleting
  • Golf Course 18 Hole Grass Greens
  • Golf Course Pro Shop
  • Hall and/or Shelter Rental
  • Licensed Establishment
  • Picnic Tables
  • Quiet Time Enforced
  • Sewer Dump Station
  • Washrooms (Modern / Running Water)
  • Barrier Free Areas (Wheelchair Accessible)
  • Boat Launch
  • Camp Kitchen / Picnic Shelter
  • Camping (Electricity
  • Water
  • Sewer)
  • Driving Range
  • Fishing
  • Golf Course Club House (Food Service)
  • Group Camping (Electrical Sites)
  • Hiking Trails
  • Marina
  • Playground
  • Restaurant
  • Showers
  • Washrooms (Outhouse)
  • Basketball Court
  • Boat
  • Canoe and/or kayak rentals
  • Camping (Electrical Sites)
  • Camping (Non-Electrical)
  • Fire Wood
  • Gasoline and/or Propane Services
  • Golf Course Club House (Licensed)
  • Group Camping with Hall and/or Kitchen
  • Laundry Facilities
  • Pet Friendly
  • Potable Water
  • Security
  • Swimming Area

Fishing at Rafferty Reservoir

Rafferty Reservoir is in the southern fishing zone.

What fish are in Rafferty Reservoir

Walleye, Northern Pike, White Sucker and Yellow Perch can be found in Rafferty Reservoir.

Learn all about fishing in Saskatchewan here.

Additional Restrictions:

Fishing Season

Fishing season on Rafferty Reservoir is from May 5, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

Fishing Limits for Rafferty Reservoir

These are the limits for all fish species reported to be in Rafferty Reservoir. All fishing limits for Saskatchewan.
Species Limit
Walleye Limit 3, Only 1 Over 55 Cm
Yellow Perch Limit 10
Northern Pike Limit 5 (only one may exceed 75 cm)

Fish Facts

Fish Facts 2013
Walleye: (70 - 2510 g) Good Pike: (450 - 2420 g) Fair Perch: (30 - 480 g) Moderate Aug 19 - 22 / Gill nets. Good range in sizes of walleye. Number of walleye caught is similar to previous surveys. Majority of perch caught were angling size (>18 cm).

Fishing Attractions/Services at Rafferty Reservoir

Camping at Rafferty Reservoir

There is 1 campground at Rafferty Reservoir.

View on Map

Photos of Rafferty Reservoir

Rafferty Reservoir

📅
📷 Matt - SaskLakes.ca
❤️ 3   💬 0
Rafferty Reservoir

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📷 Jordan Coghill
❤️ 1   💬 0
Takeoff at sunset
Rafferty Reservoir

Takeoff at sunset

📅 May 11, 2021
📷 jordan leis
❤️ 1   💬 0
360
Rafferty Reservoir

📅 May 28, 2025
📷 Matt - SaskLakes.ca
❤️ 0   💬 0
Rafferty Reservoir

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📷 Matt - SaskLakes.ca
❤️ 0   💬 0
Covered picnic areas near the beach.
Mainprize Regional Park Beach

Covered picnic areas near the beach.

📅
📷 Matt - SaskLakes.ca
❤️ 0   💬 0
Mainprize Regional Park Beach

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📷 Matt - SaskLakes.ca
❤️ 0   💬 0
Rafferty Reservoir

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📷 Matt - SaskLakes.ca
❤️ 0   💬 0
Mainprize Regional Park Beach

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📷 Matt - SaskLakes.ca
❤️ 0   💬 0
Rafferty Reservoir

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📷 Matt - SaskLakes.ca
❤️ 0   💬 0

Bathymetric (Depth) Charts for Rafferty Reservoir

No depth maps available for this lake.
Angler's Edge map for Rafferty Reservoir
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Angler's Edge
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🧭 GPS Nautical Charts

Products for Rafferty Reservoir

Data Sources & References

Map