Flora and Fauna

While the area to the west of Frog Lake is mainly farmland, head northeast toward Fishing Lake and you’ll find yourself in an environment little different from that which the province’s First Nations lived in for thousands of years. The boreal forests are filled with poplars, red willow, birch, jackpine, spruce and tamarack, creating perfect conditions for a wide variety of animals. On the forest floor you’ll find fruits and berries such as saskatoons, strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, logan berries and pinch cherries- if you plan to go hiking in the area keep a guide to edible plants handy to avoid any nasty surprises.

Animal species that call the area home include cougars, coyotes, lynxes, martins, otters, wolves, black bears, brown bears, cinnamon bears, timber wolves, grizzly bears, mice, ground hogs, badgers, moles, white tail deer, moose, muskrats, beavers, squirrels, chipmunks and gophers. Most are timid and can hear or smell humans from a good distance, but some can be dangerous: travel in groups, make plenty of noise and remember to clean up after yourself. Alberta Parks has a great guide here.