The Rural Municipality of Big Arm No. 251 covers roughly 699 square kilometres of central Saskatchewan farmland along the southern shores of Last Mountain Lake—one of the longest natural lakes in the prairies and a landmark that profoundly shapes the character of this municipality. The town of Imperial anchors the RM, with the village of Liberty and the resort community of Etters Beach rounding out the settlement pattern. The hamlets of Stalwart and Hendersons Beach sit along the lakeshore and draw seasonal visitors, but it is agriculture that drives the year-round economy. Highway 2 runs through the municipality, connecting producers to Regina (about 90 minutes south) and Saskatoon (roughly two hours north).
What makes Big Arm genuinely unique among Saskatchewan farming municipalities is its intersection of agriculture and wildlife conservation. The Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area and the Stalwart National Wildlife Area both overlap with the RM, creating a landscape where productive grain fields sit alongside internationally significant wetland habitat. The Last Mountain Lake Bird Sanctuary—established in 1887 as the first federal bird sanctuary in North America—is partially within the municipality. This is not just farmland; it is a working agricultural landscape embedded within one of the continent's great migratory flyways.
Big Arm occupies the Dark Brown soil zone, and the relatively flat to gently rolling terrain supports intensive grain production. Spring wheat, canola, durum, barley, and lentils are the staple crops, with the reliable moisture from Last Mountain Lake's moderating influence helping to smooth out the yield variability that can affect drier areas further south. The soils are productive clay loams with good water-holding capacity, and many quarters carry strong crop insurance histories.
The lake itself creates a distinct microclimate that extends the frost-free season slightly compared to areas of equal latitude further from water. This subtle advantage shows up in crop development and can make a meaningful difference in tight growing seasons. Mixed farming operations also benefit from the natural water sources, and some producers run cattle on pastures along the lakeshore and in the rougher terrain near the wildlife areas.
For buyers who want productive grain land with something extra, Big Arm delivers. The combination of Dark Brown soil productivity, Highway 2 access, and the natural amenity of Last Mountain Lake makes this a municipality where quality of life and agricultural returns go hand in hand. Imperial offers solid community infrastructure—school, grain elevator, and local services—and the lake provides recreational opportunities that most farming communities simply cannot offer.
Land values in Big Arm reflect the area's productivity and location between Saskatchewan's two largest cities. The municipality is within comfortable reach of both Regina and Saskatoon, which appeals to investors, part-time farmers, and families who want rural living without total isolation. The wildlife conservation areas add a distinctive character and can attract eco-tourism and hunting-related revenue, while the underlying agricultural economy remains the foundation. For a municipality this size, Big Arm packs an unusual amount of variety into a compact footprint.
View all available farmland listings in the RM of Big Arm below. Properties near Last Mountain Lake tend to attract strong interest, so early inquiries are recommended. Contact Adam Hungle, your Saskatchewan farm real estate specialist, at 306.531.8854 for details on any listing.
Get a free, confidential valuation from Saskatchewan’s dedicated farm real estate specialist.
Request Free ValuationOr call 306.531.8854
Adam Hungle works exclusively in Saskatchewan farmland — grain, pasture, mixed-use & development land.
View Featured ListingsRegister as a Buyer →