I read an article in a recent issue of Summer Times about the history of Kenosee Lake. The article stated that Fish Lake became Kenosee Lake in the early 1930's. This got me curious about when and how the lake was named so I decided to do a bit of research.
On the original township plan dated September 1, 1882 the lake is shown to be named "Fishing Lake". This was the official name until January 7, 1913 when the name "Arcola Lake" was approved by the Geographic Board. The name Arcola Lake appears on several survey plans from that time right up until 1953. The Department of Natural Resources Place Name Card Catalogue indicates that the name "Kenosee Lake" was adopted by the Provincial Government on February 6, 1952. The first appearance of the name Kenosee Lake on an official plan was on the subdivision of McNaughton Heights between the main beach and the Village. This plan is dated December 18, 1953.
There are a couple of survey plans at the east end of the lake that show the name "Fish Lake", however, this was never an official name. When I was a young man growing up in the area we always called it Fish Lake and this name was in common use right up into the 1960's.
Wayne Stockton,
Regina, Sk
