Important Information Fish Management Zones

Message from the Minister..................................................... 10 Maps and Watershed Boundaries.........................................29

Alberta’s Fisheries Management System............................... 10
How to use this guide............................................................. 11 Fish Management Zone 1 — Eastern Slopes
Important Information............................................................. 12 Watershed Unit ES1..............................................................30
Do You Have a Suggestion or Comment?............................. 13 Watershed Unit ES2..............................................................39
Where is Whirling Disease in Alberta..................................... 14 Watershed Unit ES3..............................................................46
Important Definitions.............................................................. 15 Watershed Unit ES4..............................................................50
Recovery of Tagged Fish....................................................... 15 Fish Management Zone 2 — Parkland-Prairie
Further Inquiries..................................................................... 27 Watershed Unit PP1..............................................................54
Prussian Carp......................................................................... 28 Watershed Unit PP2..............................................................63
Put and Take Trout Stocking Program Fish Management Zone 3 — Northern Boreal
Stocked Lakes List................................................................. 16 Watershed Unit NB1..............................................................68
Watershed Unit NB2..............................................................77
Licences and Costs Watershed Unit NB3..............................................................82
Recreational Licensing System.............................................. 18 Watershed Unit NB4..............................................................88
Online Licensing: Things you should know............................ 18
Draws for Special Walleye Licences...................................... 19 General Information
Home on the River ................................................................ 93
Regulations and Information Want to Complete Alberta’s native Fish Slam?...................... 96
Illegal Stocking of Fish........................................................... 20 You are in Native Trout Country........................................... 100
General Sportfishing Restrictions........................................... 20
Catch Limits............................................................................ 20
Tributaries and Beaver Ponds................................................ 22 Report A Poacher
Measuring Fish Length........................................................... 22 1-800-642-3800 or #3800 (Telus Mobility)............................17
Never Cull Fish....................................................................... 22
Tips on Releasing Fish........................................................... 22
Fishing with Bait..................................................................... 22 The Alberta Guide to Sportfishing Regulations is a summary
Collecting Bait Fish................................................................. 23 of the federal and provincial fishery regulations and is
Crayfish.................................................................................. 23 intended to assist those interested in sportfishing.
Hook Mortality........................................................................ 23
Releasing Prohibited Fish...................................................... 25 The official Statutes and Regulations should be consulted for
Use Caution on Ice................................................................. 25 all purposes of interpreting and applying the law. Clarification
Fish Consumption Advisory.................................................... 25 of the regulations may be obtained from your nearest Alberta
Cleaning and Transporting Fish............................................. 25 Government office.
Gill Nets.................................................................................. 25
Buying and Selling Fish.......................................................... 26 The Alberta Guide to Sportfishing Regulations is published
Spearfishing / Bowfishing....................................................... 26 annually by Sports Scene Publications Inc. 10450 – 174
Sportfishing in Provincial and National Parks......................... 26 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5S 2G9. The publisher is
Sportfishing in Cold Lake....................................................... 26 responsible for the content of this publication, and is licenced
Competitive Fishing Events.................................................... 26 by Alberta Government to publish the summary of the
Be Bear Smart while Fishing.................................................. 26 provincial and federal fishery regulations contained herein.
Gaff and Gaff Hooks............................................................... 26
Access to Fishing Waters....................................................... 26 Provincial Statutes and Regulations, in print or electronic
Access to Public Lease Land................................................. 26 format, are available through the Alberta King’s Printer (see
page 27).
Alberta’s Sport Fish This document is provided free-of-charge to all recreational
Trout Identification.................................................................56 anglers in Alberta. With the exception of short quotations
Sport Fish of Alberta..............................................................58 for review purposes, no portion of this document may
be reproduced without written permission from Alberta
Government or Sports Scene Publications Inc.

The views and opinions expressed by advertisers, or by the

authors of the articles in the Non-Regulatory Information
section of this document, are their own and not necessarily
those of Alberta Government or Sports Scene Publications Inc.

ISBN 978-1-927698-18-1

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 9

 Alberta is a beautiful province make fishing in Alberta easier and more enjoyable. These initiatives
that encourages a diverse range of include online forms for competitive and non-competitive fishing
outdoor pursuits, including many events, an App for sportfishing regulations, and an opportunity to
family-friendly fishing opportunities. purchase an additional walleye special harvest licence regardless of
As Albertans, we share the whether you were drawn for a licence previously. We also launched
responsibility to conserve and a pilot project to allow anglers to choose traditional paper tags
protect fish populations and their or electronic tags (e-tags) when they purchase a special harvest
habitats. Healthy fish populations licence for walleye.
and dynamic aquatic environments Ongoing upgrades to Alberta’s fish hatcheries will continue into
are part of what make our fishing 2025-2026. This investment in our provincial hatcheries will ensure
trips so memorable, and we must Albertans will have hatchery-raised trout fisheries for many years
ensure future Albertans can enjoy to come. The walleye stocking program, which is also supported by
the same fishing experiences we our fish hatcheries will continue in 2023. This means fisheries’ staff
have today. will be out collecting eggs from a wild walleye population this spring
With input from passionate anglers, the Alberta government has with the goal of creating new angling and harvest opportunities for
fine-tuned regulations to ensure that sustainable fishing and fish this desirable fish. As always, strict biosecurity measures are taken
harvest opportunities are available in all parts of our province. To to prevent disease transfer. Please visit MyWildAlberta.ca for fish
that end, you will notice changes in fishing regulations in some lakes stocking information.
this year. Moving forward, I am committed to even more changes, Fishing is a long-lived tradition in Alberta. As the Minister of
including reviewing fishing regulations and limits to increase Forestry, Parks and Tourism, I will continue working with and
low-risk, sustainable harvest, being more responsive to anglers’ listening to Albertans to ensure the sustainability of fish populations
concerns and recommendations, simplifying our fishing regulations and fishing opportunities for generations to come.
while considering habitat concerns, and making sure we have a Whether fishing is a life-long passion, an activity you enjoy a few
sustainable resource for future generations. weekends a year or you are brand new to it, Alberta’s scenic lakes
Fishing is part of Alberta’s cultural fabric and is enjoyed by folks and rivers are there to be discovered and enjoyed. Also, if you
from all walks of life, including those who have served in Canada’s are a new angler or want to share the fishing experience, please
military. As a small token of our appreciation for their service, the take advantage of the two Free Fishing Weekends. Learn more on
Alberta government is proud to offer veterans of the Canadian MyWildAlberta.ca for Free Fishing Weekends.
Armed Forces a free sportfishing licence. We hope this gesture Thank you for your continued support and interest in fishing in
makes it easier for veterans living in Alberta to enjoy our outdoors. Alberta.
Please see the Licencing page in this sportfishing guide or visit the
Licencing page on MyWildAlberta.ca for more information. Todd Loewen
Over the past year, the Alberta Government has developed ways to Minister of Forestry, Parks and Tourism

ALBERTA’S FISHERIES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Alberta follows the Alberta’s Fish Conservation and Management Strategy. Alberta’s
goal of sustainability for fish populations and fisheries is central to this commitment.
Alberta’s Fisheries Management System is an annual process and the components
include Assessment, Status, Engagement, Management Objectives, and Regulations.

For more information on Alberta’s Fish Conservation and Management Strategy, please
go to Alberta’s Fisheries Management website and click the link.

10 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
1. The Table of Contents on page 9 tells you where to find key
information.
2. Be sure to read the Important Information section (page 12)
for information about management and new opportunities.
3. Definitions start on page 15 and Regulations on page 20.
These sections of the Guide cover definitions and regulations
that apply to Alberta.
4. Default and site specific regulations for lakes and rivers in each
Watershed Unit (example, ES1, NB4) begin on page 30.
5. A map showing the Management Zones is on page 29.
6. Each Management Zone is divided into Watershed Units.
7. Each Watershed Unit features a map, default regulations and
site specific regulations for lakes and streams which include
waterbody detail, seasons, bait restrictions and catch limits on
fish species.
8. Lake and Stream Regulations:
l Alberta uses both default and site specific regulations.
l Default and site specific regulations may vary between
watershed units
l Default regulations include seasons, bait restrictions, and
limits on fish species and apply to lakes and streams that are
not listed in the site specific regulation tables
l Site specific regulations include waterbody details, seasons,
bait restrictions and limits on fish species and apply to lakes
and streams that are listed in the site specific regulation tables
l Please become familiar with the default regulations for lakes
and streams you want to fish in each watershed unit.
l Please become familiar with the site-specific regulations for
lakes and streams that you want to fish in each watershed unit.
If you require further information, contact the Fish and
Wildlife Office near to the waterbody you wish to fish (see
Further Inquiries, page 27).

The regulations in this guide are effective from April 1, 2023

to March 31, 2024.

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 11

Important Information regulations for your favourite watersheds (examples ES1, NB3, PP2)
OR download and save the complete document.
This section provides general information. Regulations are listed in Licensing
each Watershed Unit in the Management Zones starting on page 30. l Alberta resident Canadian Armed Forces Veterans are eligible
for a free sportfishing licence. See Licencing page for more
Stakeholder Engagement information.
Thank you for participating in the ‘23-24 fisheries management
l For convenience, download the AlbertaRELM App and keep your
engagement seminars. We appreciate the enthusiasm and passion
sportfishing licences and WiN handy.
of recreational anglers and appreciate the questions and feedback
l Remember you are required to produce your licence (paper or
provided during the engagement this January. Please find follow-up
electronic via the AlbertaRELM App) when requested by an officer.
information by visiting www.alberta.ca/fisheries-engagements.aspx.
l Sign up to auto-renew your sportfishing licence.
All public engagements related to sportfishing, including the What We
l See albertarelm.com or AlbertaRELM App for additional details.
Heard reports and future opportunities to provide input can be found
there. Special Harvest Licence Updates
l If successfully drawn, an SHL licence holder is eligible for 2 walleye
Low Flows and High Water Temperatures tags for either Class A (>50 cm) or Class B (43-50 cm).
l To help conserve fish during drought conditions, Alberta
l New! Purchase up to 5 Class C walleye licences and tags (for 2
Government will be monitoring water flow and temperatures in the
walleye <43 cm) on a first-come first-served basis.
Bow River and other southern Alberta streams.
l If you were drawn for a Class A or B or purchased an
l In response to low stream flows and warmer water temperatures,
undersubscribed or Class C licence you will be
time of day angling restrictions may be implemented.
able to purchase additional licences starting on July 14. See
l Please see My Wild Alberta web page for up to date information.
MyWildAlberta.ca Fishing Licences for more information.
Know before you go! Electronic Tag Pilot for Special Harvest Licences
l Know the sportfishing regulations before you go! Either download
l A electronic tag option will be piloted in 2023-24. There is no
the PDF of the Guide, or take a printed copy of the Guide with you,
change to the draw process. Successful applicants select paper
or use the Sportfishing Regulations App.
tags or electronic tags (e-tags) when purchasing their licence.
l The application is web- and map-based; designed to be easily used;
l Walleye retained with a Special Harvest Licence must be
you can search for a waterbody, search an area, or use your
immediately tagged as per conditions of licence with either a paper
location.
and wire tag through the gill cavity and mouth, or an electronic tag
l See https://mywildalberta.ca/fishing/ regulations/default.aspx
using the AlbertaRELM App.
Updates to Competitive Fishing Events (CFE) l To use e-tags, download the AlbertaRELM App to your smart phone
l See detailed information on MyWildAlberta website and sign-in.
l Use the online Application and Summary forms for your CFE that l To e-tag a fish, open the AlbertaRELM App, go to your Licences,
has >25 participants and takes place at one waterbody. touch the tag your are filling, and touch YES. Your e-tag is closed
l Voluntarily use the Notification and Summary forms to notify us of with date and time.
your noncompetitive Fishing Event that has <26 participants. l With or without cellular service, you are required to immediately
l Online payment is available. e-tag retained fish on the AlbertaRELM App. E-tagging records
l Forms can be printed, completed by hand, and submitted at a FW include the date and time of tagging.
office.
l Payment can also be submitted at a FW office.
Ice Fishing
Must identify all ice fishing shelters left unattended on the ice for more
Stocking and Transfers than 24 hours. Label the outside of the shelter with your WiN number
Hatchery upgrades have been ongoing since 2017 and will continue until OR name and phone number using 2.5 cm or taller letters.
at least 2025/2026.
Must remove all ice fishing shelters before March 15 in PP1 and before
During upgrades, trout stocking numbers will be impacted and some March 31 everywhere else, or when directed to do so by an officer.
lakes may see a reduction in stocked fish.
Angling through ice is not permitted into beaver ponds or flowing
The walleye stocking program will again collect eggs from a wild waters in ES1 to ES4 management zones except the portion of the
population, with a focused goal of creating angling and harvest Lobstick River lying in 53, 54-9, 10-W5.
opportunities in 4 to 5 years time.
Aquatic Health
Fish transfers focus on re-stocking waters that have experienced fish The impacts posed by aquatic invasive species, including fish disease,
kills or recovered from drought conditions. Measures are always taken to continue to threaten Alberta’s fisheries and can extend beyond
prevent disease transfer. reducing recreational fishing opportunities. We all play an important
role in keeping Alberta’s fish healthy.
Please visit mywildalberta.ca for information on fish stocking.
Everyone can help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species through
Sportfishing Guide prevention, by following,
The 2023-2024 Sportfishing Guide is updated annually. l CATCH IT, KILL IT If you catch Prussian carp do not release them.
Waterbodies, Kill, dispose of them, or eat them.
l with regulation updates highlighted blue l CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY YOUR GEAR Ensure no water, mud, fish
l that are closed all year highlighted grey or fish parts are moved from one waterbody to the next. This applies
within Alberta as well as beyond our borders.
Please see the new harvest opportunities highlighted in blue. l PULL THE PLUG! All watercraft must have the drain plug pulled
Download and Save the Guide while being transported. It’s the Law!
This sportfishing guide can be downloaded from albertaregulations. l DON’T LET IT LOOSE Never release water, plants, dead or live fish
ca website. Touch the PDF symbol below the cover of the sportfishing or any other animals into waterbodies they didn’t originate from.
regulations to open, then download and save the sportfishing Call 1-855-336-BOAT 24/7 hotline for more information.

12 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 DO YOU HAVE A
SUGGESTION OR COMMENT?

Alberta Government conducts public

engagement opportunities throughout
the year. Open engagements related
to fisheries management can be found
by visiting www.alberta.ca/fisheries-
engagements.aspx

Stay engaged by following our ‘My Wild

Alberta’ Facebook page to learn more
about angling, projects our staff are working
on and any public engagements.

Have a question or comment? Send your

email or letter to our Outreach Services
team, who will forward it to the appropriate
fisheries personnel.

Email: EPA.Outreach-Services@gov.ab.ca

Alberta Government
9920-108 Street
Edmonton
T6K-2M4
Bait – An attractant or organism (alive or dead) with
scent or flavour to attract fish when attached to a hook or line used Snagging – Attempting to catch a fish using a hook:
in angling. (See “Fishing with Bait” on page 22). a) other than to induce the fish to voluntarily take the hook in its
mouth; or
Bait Fish – See “Fishing with Bait Fish” on page 22. b) by intentionally piercing and hooking a fish in any part of the body
Fizzing – Artificial swim bladder deflation. Involves puncturing the other than the mouth.
swim bladder through the musculature of the fish using a sharp
object such as a hypodermic needle. As it causes undue harm to Snagging Device
released fish and can increase the mortality of released fish, fizzing a) an instrument that is designed for the purpose of snagging fish;
is illegal. The best practice is to not fish in deep water. or
b) hooks or lures that are altered to facilitate the snagging of fish.
Gaff (gaff hook) – A device for landing or lifting fish, consisting of
one or more sharpened hooks intended to stab the fish and attached Sportfishing – Angling (using hook and line), bowfishing or
to a handle. A gaff is illegal to possess while angling. spearfishing, but also includes using a minnow trap, seine net or dip
net to collect bait for personal use.
Hook – A single-, double- or triple-pointed hook on a common shaft,
and includes hooks attached to a lure. Sportfishing Seasons
(Note: some legal lures appear to have a hook with four points, but l OPEN –sportfishing is allowed during the time period stated.
actually have two shafts each with two points, meaning that this lure During open seasons, sportfishing is permitted 24 hours a day
has two hooks). unless stated differently for a specific waterbody.
l CLOSED – means all forms of sportfishing are prohibited.
Legal Land Descriptions
Some waterbodies and landmarks are identified in this Guide using
the Alberta Survey System. Legal land descriptions are written as Stream – Flowing water, and includes creeks, rivers and canals.
follows: (1-87-18-W4 for Section-Township-Range-West of the 4th
Meridian) Tributary – Any stream that flows into a larger stream, or into a lake
or reservoir. This includes a tributary to a tributary. Tributaries to a
Limit – Refers to the maximum number of fish you are allowed lake are considered to be tributaries to the outlet stream from the
to keep or have in your possession (see Catch Limits on page lake unless stated differently for a specific waterbody.
20).
Watershed – An area drained by a stream or a series of streams
Lure – A spoon, plug, jig, fly or other such device made of feathers, and tributaries and includes any lakes and reservoirs whether or not
fibre, rubber, wood, metal, plastic or similar materials that does not they are directly connected to the stream.
attract fish by scent or flavour.

Maggots – The larval stage of flies (terrestrial dipterous insects). Watershed Unit – Is a part of the larger Fish Management Zone
Does not include earthworms (angleworms, nightcrawlers, dew- and is the drained by the watershed described in text and illustrated
worms), mealworms or the larvae, pupae or adults of aquatic on the map in the Guide. For example, NB1 is a subdivision of
insects. Northern Boreal

Mainstem – The mainstem of a river includes the mainstem Watershed Boundaries – The boundaries between Watershed
river channel as well as any side channels, oxbows as well as Units are illustrated on the maps in the Guide. These boundaries are
riparian channels and plunge pools below spillways downstream of differentiated by heights of land and the direction of flowing water.
reservoirs unless otherwise specified.

Mealworms – The larval stage of beetles (terrestrial coleopterous

insects). Does not include earthworms (angleworms, nightcrawlers, RECOVERY OF TAGGED FISH
dew-worms), maggots, wax worms or the larvae, pupae or adults of
aquatic insects.
If you catch a tagged fish,
Minimum-size limits – All fish caught that are shorter than the l Take a clear picture of the tag number
stated length must be immediately released. l Do not scrap the tag
l Do not remove the tag
Maximum-size limits – All fish caught that are longer than the l Do not pull the tag
stated length must be immediately released.
Please advise the nearest Fish and
Harvest slot limits – All fish caught that are shorter or longer than
Wildlife office of the following:
the harvest slot limit must be immediately released.
l Tag number and colour
Quality Stocked Fisheries – Stocked trout fisheries which are l Species of fish
managed to provide anglers with the opportunity to catch and l Date fish was caught
occasionally keep a memorable fish. l Where fish was caught
l lf the fish was released
Regulation Dates – In this Guide, where dates are given with a l Total length and weight of the fish, if available
regulation, the fishing season starts and ends on the dates listed. l Your name, address and phone number.
For example May 15 to Mar. 31.

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 15

The following list of lakes, reservoirs and ponds are managed as put and take trout fisheries. These are stocked frequently with catchable-
sized trout. The regulations follow Maximum Possession limits and are listed in the table below.

Stocking can vary from year to year. Please check MyWildAlberta Fish Stocking Lists for up to date information.

Provincial Regulations for Put and Take Stocked Lakes Some stocked waterbodies are managed as
Quality Stocked Fisheries and have specific
l OPEN all year l 3 Northern Pike of any size
regulations. These waterbodies are listed
l Bait is allowed l 15 Yellow Perch of any size in the Watershed Units’ regulation tables
l 5 trout of any size l For other species, see Maximum Possession starting on page 30.
limits on page 22.

EASTERN SLOPES ZONE
Watershed Unit ES1 Watershed Unit ES2 Kinky Lake (SE 6-50-26-W5)
Allison Lake (SW 27-8-5-W5) Alford Lake (SW 4-36-8-W5) Lambert Pond (NW 8-53-17-W5)
Bathing Lake (SE 11-4-1-W5) Brazeau Borrow Pit #1 (SE 32-45-10-W5) Lower Wildhorse Lake (SW 31-49-26-W5)
Beauvais Lake (SW 29-5-1-W5) Brazeau Borrow Pit #2 (SW 2-46-11-W5) Mary Gregg Lake (NW 4-48-24-W5)
Beaver Mines Lake (NE 11-5-3-W5) Camp 9 Trout Pond (NE 32-44-8-W5) Mayan Lake (NW 5-57-23-W5)
Burmis Lake (SE 14-7-3-W5) Dickson Trout Pond (NW 13-35-3-W5) Mcleod Lake (SE 25-61-12-W5)
Burn’s Reservoir (NE 23-6-30-W4) Elk Creek Pond (NW 33-35-12-W5) Niton Lake (SE 32-53-12-W5)
Butcher’s Lake (NW 15-4-1-W5) Goldeye Lake (NE 14-40-16-W5) Obed Lake (NE 11-53-22-W5)
Chain Lakes Reservoir (NE 4-15-2-W5) Harleck Pond (SE 5-41-14-W5) Petite Lake (NW 12-54-26-W5)
Coleman Fish And Game Pond Mitchell Lake (NE 25-37-8-W5) South Sundance Lake (SE 1-55-21-W5)
(SW 24-8-5-W5) Nordegg Borrow Pit (East) Trapper Lake (SE 19-58-16-W5)
Cottonwood Lake (SE 16-7-29-W4) (SE 32-40-15-W5) Upper Wildhorse Lake (SW 31-49-26-W5)
Crossfield Trout Pond (SE 27-28-1-W5) Nordegg Borrow Pit (West) Whitecourt Town Pond (NE 35-59-12-W5)
Dewitt’s Pond (SE 31-26-1-W5) (SW 32-40-15-W5) Wildwood Pond (SW 30-53-9-W5)
Granum Pond (NW 31-10-26-W4) Peppers Lake (NW 30-35-12-W5) Wolf Creek Pond (SW 13-53-16-W5)
Grotto Mountain Pond (NW 21-24-9-W5) Phyllis Lake (NW 17-36-7-W5)
Hogarth Lakes (SE 21-21-10-W5) Rat Lake (SW 11-38-9-W5) Watershed Unit ES4
Island Lake (SE 12-8-6-W5) Rocky Children’s Pond (SW 33-39-7-W5) East Dollar Lake (NW 8-73-21-W5)
Lees Lake (SW 8-7-2-W5) Shunda (Fish) Lake (SW 19-40-15-W5) Fox Creek Trout Pond (NW 13-63-20-W5)
Margaret Lake (NW 15-28-9-W5) Strubel Lake (SW 30-37-7-W5) Grande Cache Lake (NE 1-57-8-W6)
Mclean Pond (NW 20-22-5-W5) Tay Lake (SW 5-36-8-W5) Highway 40 Pond (SW 12-69-6-W6)
Mitford Ponds (SE 4-26-4-W5) Twin Lakes (SW 6-40-7-W5) Kakut Pond (NE27-76-04-W6)
Nose Creek Pond (NE 1-27-1-W5) Winchell Lake (NW 2-29-5-W5) Muskoseepi Pond (SE 26-71-6-W6)
Payne Lake (NE 10-2-28-W4) Yellowhead Lake (SW 33-34-6-W5) Pierre Greys Lake (Lower) (NW 6-57-4-W6)
Sibbald Lake (NE 14-24-7-W5) PIerre Greys Lake (Upper) (SW 7-57-4-W6)
Sibbald Meadows Pond (SW 20-24-7-W5) Watershed Unit ES3 Spring Lake (NE 23-75-11-W6)
Talus Lake (SE 25-20-8-W5) Dandurand Lake (NE 9-53-19-W5) Swan Lake (SW 18-70-25-W5)
Tim Horton Children’s Pond Dunn Lake (NW 7-54-25-W5) Two Lakes (NE 20-62-12-W6)
(NW14-24-8-W5) Emerald Lake (SW 5-62-11-W5) Two Lakes (NE7-62-12-W6)
Emerson Lakes (NW 6-55-21-W5) Valleyview Children’s Pond
Fairfax Lake (NW 17-46-18-W5) (NE 21-70-22-W6)
Hinton F & G Pond (SW 28-50-25-W5) Victor Lake (SE 35-56-8-W5)
Jarvis Creek Pond (NE 19-52-26-W5) West Dollar Lake (SE 18-73-21-W5)

PARKLAND-PRAIRIE ZONE
Watershed Unit PP1 Nicholas Sheran Park Pond (SE 26-8-22-W4) Bashaw Pond (SE 4-42-21-W4)
Bow City East Ponds (NE 15-17-17-W4) Riverstone Pond (SW 24-8-22-W4) Beaumont Pond (NW 27-50-24-W4)
Brooks Aquaduct Pond (NE 15-18-14-W4) Spring Coulee Park Pond (NE 12-5-24-W4) Black Nugget Mine Pit (NW 11-49-18-W4)
Cavan Lake (SW 30-11-3-W4) Stirling Children’s Pond (SW 29-6-19-W4) Boulder Lake (NE 18-39-27-W4)
Echo Dale Regional Park Pond Strathmore Children’s Pond Bud Miller Park Pond (NE 26-49-1-W4)
(SE 5-13-6-W4) (SW 14-24-25-W4) By The Lake Park (SW 22-46-24-W4)
Emerson Lake (SW 5-19-28-W4) Taber Trout Pond (NW 1-10-17-W4) Captain Eyre Lake (NW 30-38-5-W4)
Enchant Pond (NW 8-14-18-W4) Cardiff Park Pond (SW 24-55-25-W4)
Foremost Reservoir (NW 17-6-11-W4) Watershed Unit PP2 Castaway Trout Pond (NE 35-47-13-W4)
Goldspring Park Pond (NE 6-2-15-W4) Acadia Valley Reservoir (SW 5-25-2-W4) Castor Eastside Trout Pond
Magrath Childrens Pond (SW 26-5-22-W4) Anderson Dam (SW 25-28-21-W4) (SE 34-37-14-W4)
Mcquillan Reservoir (SW 13-8-19-W4) Ashland Reservoir (NW 17-48-3-W5) Chickakoo Lake (SW 34-53-1-W5)

16 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 PARKLAND-PRAIRIE ZONE
Cipperley’s Reservoir (SW 8-32-1-W5) Kraft Wimborne Pond (SE 28-33-26-W4) Ponoka Centennial Park Pond
Claude N. Brennan Memorial Pond Kramer Pond (SW 25-45-6-W5) (NE 5-43-25-W4)
(NE 36-50-7-W4) Lacombe Park Pond (NW 5-54-25-W4) Ray’s Pond (Niemela Res.; SE 1-39-3-W5)
Coronation Reservoir (SW 24-36-11-W4) Lamont Pond (SW 27-55-19-W4) Salter’s Lake (SW 26-54-2-W5)
Daysland Pond (NE 9-45-16-W4) Leduc Reservoir (NE 27-49-25-W4) Sardine Lake (SW 5-49-4-W5)
Dillberry Lake (NE 36-41-1-W4) Len Thompson Pond (NW 29-40-26-W4) Sauer Lake (NE 28-53-1-W5)
Diplomat Mine Pond (NW 1-41-16-W4) Lougheed Trout Pond (NE 33-43-11-W4) Severn Creek Reservoir (NW 12-26-22-W4)
East Pit Lake (SE 23-53-4-W5) Mclaren’s Reservoir (SW 23-33-18-W4) Shuster Lake (NE 26-43-5-W4)
East Stormwater Pond (SE 29-40-26-W4) Michichi Reservoir (SW 19-30-18-W4) Spring Lake (SW 30-52-1-W5)
Genesee Trout Pond (NW 1-51-3-W5) Midway Reservoir (SE 16-30-27-W4) Star Lake (NE 19-52-2-W5)
Gibbons Pond (NE 10-56-23-W4) Mirror Reservoir (SW 29-40-22-W4) Telegraph Park Pond (NW 32-48-21-W4)
Gooseberry Park Pond (NE 22-36-6-W4) Mitchell Pond (NW 18-38-27-W4) Two Hills Pond (SW 32-54-12-W4)
Hansen’s Reservoir (SW 29-38-3-W5) Morinville Fish And Game Pond Vegreville Children’s Pond
Hasse Lake (SW 13-52-2-W5) (NW 4-56-25-W4) (NW 17-52-14-W4)
Helmer Reservoir (SW 18-31-14-W4) Mound Red Reservoir (NW 11-45-28-W4) Vegreville Trout Pond (SW 7-52-14-W4)
Heritage Lake (NW 33-55-25-W4) Nuggent Pond (SE 14-44-3-W5) Wallace Park Pond (NE 31-44-6-W4)
Hermitage Park Pond (NE18-53-23-W4) Open Ck Reservoir (25-42-6-W5) West Rivers Edge Pond (NE 23-54-23-W4)
Hiller’s Reservoir (SE 13-32-29-W4) Oyen (Concrete Plant) Pond Wetaskiwin Pond (NE 24-46-24-W4)
Huber Reservoir (SW 36-37-13-W4) (NW 34-27-4-W4) Windsor Lake (SW 10-42-22-W4)
Innisfree Trout Pond (SE 13-51-12-W4) Oyen Reservoir (NE 33-30-4-W4)
Irma Fish And Game Pond (SW 34-45-9-W4) Parlby Reservoir (NE 25-40-24-W4)
Jack Fish Lake (NW 20-53-9-W4) Pleasure Island Reservoir (SW 20-46-19-W4)

NORTHERN BOREAL ZONE
Watershed Unit NB1 High Level Pond (SE 8-110-20-W5) Running Lake (SW 34-88-7-W6)
Ardmore Community Pond (NW 1-62-4-W4) Highway 686 Pond (NE 17-85-19-W5) Shell True North Pond (SW 10-79-8-W6)
Bellis Beach Lake (SE 15-59-15-W4) La Crete Pond (SW 15-106-12-W5) Sulphur Lake (NW 7-89-2-W6)
Bonnyville Town Pond (NW 7-61-5-W4) Machesis Lake (NW 27-107-16-W5) Weberville Pond (NW 7-85-21-W5)
Boyle Pond (NE 16-64-19-W4) Md Peace Pond #1 (SW 27-83-23-W5) Zama Community Pond (SW 18-117-4-W6)
Chatwin Lake (NE 4-61-6-W4) Md Peace Pond #2 (SW 27-83-23-W5)
Elk Point Pond (NW 36-56-7-W4) Montaganeusse Lake (NE 31-86-3-W6) Watershed Unit NB4
Lac Delorme (SE 5-57-8-W4) Moonshine Lake (SE 31-79-8-W6) Engstrom Lake (NW 17-83-6-W4)
Lara Fish Pond (NE 25-61-5-W4) Nardam Lake (NE 17-78-5-W6) Highway 63 Pond (NE 35-87-9-W4)
Legal Reservoir (NW 24-57-25-W4) Ole Lake (NW 30-84-12-W6) Texaco East Pond (NW 15-88-8-W4)
Little Bear Lake (NW 19-64-2-W4) Rainbow Lake Pond (NE 25-109-9-W6) Texaco Pond (SW 20-88-8-W4)
Mile 07 Lake (NE 35-69-14-W4)
Radway Fish Pond (SE 31-58-20-W4)
Rainbow Park Pond (NE 31-59-25-W4)
Shemeluk Lake (SW 25-60-17-W4)
St. Paul Fish Pond (SE 9-58-9-W4) are violations that seriously affect fish
and wildlife in Alberta. If you see or
Watershed Unit NB2 know of a violation, you should record all
Atlantic Richfield Reservoir (NE 29-67-9-W5) information, including
Chrystina Lake (NW 8-67-8-W5) l date
Edith Lake (NE 13-67-10-W5)
l time
Horseshoe Lake (SW 31-63-25-W4)
l location
Jane Lake (NW 11-68-8-W5)
l vehicle licence number
Jessie Lake (SW 23-68-7-W5)
The REPORT A POACHER program l vehicle description
Marigold Lake (NW 32-65-11-W5)
provides Albertans with the opportunity l description of person(s) involved
McClennan Reservoir (SW 32-77-19-W5)
to report suspected violations using a toll- l details of violation, and any other
Parker Lake (SE 25-70-5-W5)
Peanut Lake (NE 15-58-3-W5) free number: details, no matter how insignificant they
Tamarack Lake (NE 10-66-12-W5) 1-800-642-3800 or #3800 on the TELUS may seem. You should then contact the
Tea Lakes (SW 16-67-7-W5) Mobility network (courtesy TELUS nearest Fish and Wildlife office or call
Mobility). 1-800-642-3800 as soon as possible.
Watershed Unit NB3 The line is in operation 24 hours a day,
Cecil Thompson Pond (SW 23-83-21-W5) seven days a week. If the information provided concerns a
Fairview College Pond (SW 34-81-3-W6) resource violation and results in the laying
Figure Eight Lake (NE 20-84-25-W5) Fishing or hunting out of season, night of a charge, the reporter may be eligible
Footner Pond (SE 5-111-19-W5) hunting, exceeding bag limits, illegal for a reward. If you have any questions
High Level Community Park Pond sale of fish and wildlife and deposit of about this program, please contact the
(SE 6-110-19-W5) harmful substances in lakes and rivers nearest Fish and Wildlife office (page 27).

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 17

 Sportfishing licences, special harvest licences and applications, and undersubscribed special
harvest licences for walleye are available at albertarelm.com or from more than 300 private
For Frequently Asked Questions licence issuers.
Visit albertarelm.com or mywildalberta.ca If you are under 16 years of age or an Alberta resident aged 65 or older you are not required
to have a sportfishing licence to fish with a rod and reel; however, you must follow Alberta’s
For Assistance sportfishing regulations.
Please contact the RELM help desk at
For information regarding Indigenous Rights and Responsibilities in regards to fishing, please
1-888-944-5494.
visit Alberta’s website at https://www.alberta.ca/indigenous-hunting-and-fishing-in-alberta.aspx
7 days a week, 6:00 AM to Midnight (MST) All recreational anglers must have an active Wildlife Identification Number (WiN) before
purchasing a recreational sportfishing licence or applying on a draw. WiN card activation
requires a one-time $8.00 fee (plus GST). Current WiN card holders will be required to pay the
one-time fee when their current WiN expires. Create or renew a online WiN and receive $2.00
off the activation fee.

ALBERTA SPORTFISHING LICENCE FEES

Licence Alberta Non-resident Non-residents
Residents2 Canadians3 Outside of
FOUR WEBSITES TO HELP YOU. Canada
CAF Veterans Sportfishing Licence1 No Charge Not Available Not Available
albertarelm.com
mywildalberta.ca Annual Sportfishing Licence (16-64 years) $28.00 $60.00 $85.00
albertaregulations.ca Annual Sportfishing Licence No Licence No Licence No Licence
https://www.alberta.ca (under 16 years) Required Required Required
Annual Sportfishing Licence No Licence $60.00 $85.00
(65 years and over) Required
1-Day Sportfishing Licence Not Available $25.00 $27.00
7-Day Sportfishing Licence Not Available $41.00 $55.00
Special Walleye Licence Applications $3.35 Not Available Not Available
Special Walleye Harvest Licence4 $11.00 Not Available Not Available
1 A resident Canadian Armed Forces Veteran is an Alberta resident who is a former member
of the Canadian Armed Forces, has successfully undergone basic training and has been
honourably discharged.
2 Alberta resident is a resident of Canada and has their only or primary residence in Alberta.
3 A non-resident Canadian has their only or primary residence in Canada and is a Canadian citizen
permanent residence in Canada and has lived in Canada for the immediately
preceding 12-month period.
4 See page 19 for draw information.

Licences must be carried when sportfishing and transporting the fish harvested with the
sportfishing licence.
To obtain the free CAF Veteran Sportfishing Licence, Canadian Armed Forces veterans update
and confirm their WiN profile status by providing approved identification (VSC, CAF 74, NDI
75, CFOne “V”) on the AlbertaRELM website or a licence issuer. Must carry the CAF Veteran
Sportfishing Licence and approved veteran identification when sportfishing.
The AlbertaRELM App is the only method for which anglers can easily store and access licences
electronically. Please remember that the onus is on the angler to produce the electronic or
paper licence when requested by an officer during field compliance checks.
If a person is convicted of a provincial fishing or hunting offence and fails to pay their
fine, they will be suspended from purchasing or using a sportfishing licence, a hunting
licence or applying on draws until that outstanding fine has been paid.
How are the Sportfishing Licensing fees used? For each $1 of revenue collected:
l $0.61 is distributed to the Alberta Conservation Association. For more information on how
funds are used to support Fisheries programs, please visit www.ab-conservation.com
l $0.34 is used for licensing allocation and administration providing compensation to the
Service Provider and the network of private Licence Issuers as well as provides funds
for programs to monitor fish populations. For more information, visit mywildalberta.ca.
l $0.05 goes to Government of Alberta General Revenue.

Lost/destroyed licences – all purchased licences can be reprinted either at a licence issuer for
a $2.00 fee or online at no charge.
Lost/destroyed tags – Tags that are lost or stolen can now be replaced at a licence issuer for a
$11.00 replacement fee.
18 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800
 For more information about Special Walleye Draws,
go to albertarelm.com and mywildalberta.ca
Draws For Special Harvest Licences DRAW RULES including types of
Special Harvest Licences for walleye
Alberta uses an innovative approach to allow a sustainable level of
harvest of walleye from lakes that have recovered from major declines. Type of Special Restrictions on
Several fisheries have recovered to the point where a limited harvest Harvest Licence Applying for these Application
of specific sizes of walleye can be allocated. Recognizing the need Draws Available Draws
to conserve fisheries, where fishing pressure is substantial, a limited Class A l An Alberta resident l Your application for
harvest option has been developed. A special harvest licence is (2 walleye over 50) may apply for both either Class A or
available for walleye to Albertans selected through a draw at specified draws but will only Class B can include
lakes.These lakes are selected based on current stock assessment be drawn in one. your 1st, 2nd, and
Class B
l Draws will be 3rd choice of lake.
and sport fishery information. (2 walleye 43-50 cm) conducted in the l Up to 4 applicants
following order: can apply as a
Notice to Anglers Class A, Class B. group.
At the time of printing this document, the lakes identified are open l Applicants drawn l The priority of a
will be eliminated group application is
for the current season under a Special Licence Draw. Alberta
from subsequent based on the
Government reserves the right to close any lake if it is deemed that a draws. Applicants individual with the
fish stock cannot sustain itself or sustain a harvest. For example, if a NOT drawn will be lowest priority.
lake has experienced serious winterkill, a zero harvest regulation may issued a priority l Please visit
be implemented. If you have any questions regarding this statement, point. This increases albertarelm.com
the chance of being for more detailed
contact EPA.Outreach-Services@gov.ab.ca. drawn in future information on
draws. what opportunities
Tagging Instructions are available
When purchasing your licence, choose either paper or electronic tags. including statistics
on previous draws.
Walleye retained with a Special Harvest Licence must be
immediately tagged as per conditions of licence with either a paper tag New! Purchase up to 5 Class C walleye licences on a first-come
and wire through the gill cavity and mouth, or an electronic tag using first-served basis, after licence information is available on
the AlbertaRELM App. albertarelm.com.
If you were drawn for a Class A or B or purchased an
undersubscribed or Class C licence you will be able to purchase
additional licences starting on July 14. See MyWildAlberta.ca
Fishing Licences for more information.
All applicants require a Wildlife Identification Number (WiN). A WiN can
Immediately e-tag retained fish on the AlbertaRELM App, with or be purchased online at albertarelm.com and at any licence issuer.
without cell service. Harvest records indicate the date and time of
If you only want to increase your draw priority, choose priority only as
tagging.
your first and only choice.
Special Harvest Licences are to be used only by the licence holder,
other than the exemption below. You can view last year’s Special Licence Draw Summary Report. This
provides statistics on the number of applications, licences available, and
Anglers who are less than 16 years old are permitted to use a your chances of being drawn. Visit albertarelm.com.
supervising adult’s Special Harvest Licence tags for walleye.
If there are not enough draw applicants to fill the Class A and Class B
2023 DRAWS Special Walleye Licence quotas, the undersubscribed licences are made
available to eligible Alberta resident anglers to purchase on a first-come
March 30 - April 23, 2023 Draw applications may be purchased for first-served basis.
$3.35 (plus GST) online at albertarelm.com
or at licence issuers. Undersubscribed licences become available for purchase May 9, 2023.
Draw priorities are not affected by purchasing an undersubscribed licence.
May 9, 2023 Draw results may be viewed online at
albertarelm.com. Harvest tags and wires can be ordered online at albertarelm.com or
picked up at your local Fish and Wildlife office or Licence Issuer.
May 9, 2023 Special Walleye Licence may be purchased
for $11.00 (plus GST) online at
albertarelm.com and at licence issuers.

May 9, 2023 Undersubscribed Licence information

available online at albertarelm.com.

May 9, 2023 If not drawn, a undersubscribed licence

(Class A or B) or up to 5 Class C licences
can be purchased for $11.00 (per licence;
plus GST) online at albertarelm.com or at
licence issuers.

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 19

Illegal Stocking of Fish caught by angling and are within 5 metres of the waters from
Alberta regulations prohibit the transfer of live game fish or live which they were caught.
bait fish or crayfish from one waterbody to another. The placing l Fizz fish – it is undue harm and reduces survival of released fish.
of any live fish or fish eggs into any waters of the province l Use live fish for bait.
other than those from which they were taken is prohibited. l Use amphibians, such as frogs and salamanders, as bait.
Report anyone you observe relocating live fish or using live fish l Dispose of unused bait within 50 metres of waterbodies except in
for bait to the nearest Fish and Wildlife Office, or call Report A a regularly serviced waste disposal receptacle.
Poacher toll-free, 1-800-642-3800. The fishery resource that you are l Set out or use bait to attract fish unless it is attached to a hook
protecting is your own. used in angling (that is chumming).
l Fish by snagging.
General Sportfishing Restrictions l Possess fish taken by snagging.
It Is Unlawful To: l Possess a snagging device (such as a gaff or gaff hook) while
l Possess or use a gaff or gaff hook. angling.
l Use more than one line when angling into open water. l Use gaffs, gaff hooks or spring-loaded hooks (spring-loaded
l Use more than two lines when angling into ice-covered water. hooks incorporate a device that snags/traps/holds the fish).
l While angling, be further than 30 m from any line in the water. l Use snares, firearms, or any device to attract, stun or kill fish by
l Use a line in angling equipped with more than three hooks (e.g., causing an explosion or electrical current in the water.
three hooks, or three single-hook lures, or one three-hook lure). l Use lights to sportfish unless the light is attached to a hook or
l Use a lure in angling with more than three hooks as part of it. line used in angling. This includes visible lights that are emitted
l Use a hook with more than three points on a common shaft (see by underwater cameras.
Important Definitions, Page 15). l Clean fish for transport home in a manner that is not authorized
l Release live fish or live fish eggs into any waters except back to (see Cleaning and Transporting Fish, Page 25).
the waters from which they were caught.
l Possess live crayfish. (See also Page 23) Additional Restrictions:
l Possess live bait fish. l The edible flesh of legally kept game fish must not be wasted,
l Possess live game fish – unless the fish have been lawfully destroyed, spoiled or abandoned.
l Fish must not be removed from, or disturbed in, any facility or
structure designed to capture, hold or facilitate the passage of
fish.
l Fishing is prohibited by any method within 23 metres
downstream of the lower entrance of any fishway, canal,
obstacle or leap. Weirs and dams are considered obstacles.
l NOTE: Fishways, fish ladders, impoundment nets, fish traps and
other similar structures may be set up to assist in the
management or the study of fisheries, or to allow the passage of
fish.

Catch Limits
In this guide the word limit refers to the number of fish you are
allowed to keep or have in your possession. As outlined below, you
may not exceed the Daily Catch Limit at any waterbody fished, nor
possess more fish than the Maximum Possession.

Releasing Live Fish – If the fish you catch is of a legal species

and legal size, immediately decide to keep it as part of your Daily
Catch Limit or release it. Fish kept on a stringer or a live well are
considered retained and are part of your limit. See Pages 22 and 25
for details on releasing fish.

Possession – While a person is angling, a fish is considered

retained (in possession) when it is not immediately released to the
waters from which it was taken.

Daily Catch Limit – The number of fish you are allowed to keep
while fishing in one day is equal to the limit listed for each species
or group of species at the lake or stream being fished, including
any fish eaten or given away that day. When you are fishing at any
lake or stream, you may not have in your possession more fish than
the limit, or fish other than those of legal size, listed for the lake or
stream being fished.
Catch Limits continued on page 22

20 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 measure fish to determine if the fish is of legal-size. It is best to
Provincewide Maximum Possession – All fish kept from any immediately release fish that are close to legal length rather than
lake or stream, from any Watershed Unit, count as part of the subjecting the fish to extra handling time. The length of the fish
Maximum Possession that must not be exceeded. An angler may is measured without including the curvature of the body. Lay the
never possess more fish from a specific lake or stream than the fish on a flat surface on top of the measuring device. If you lay the
Daily Catch Limit, but may possess a cumulative total of Daily measuring device overtop of the curvature of the body, you will
Catch Limits of fish from different lakes or streams up to the allowed get an inaccurate measurement. It’s a good idea to have a fish
Maximum Possession limit for each species. measuring board.

The Maximum Possession of fish you may have, including fish Never Cull Fish
at your permanent residence, for each game fish species or “Culling” is staying within the catch limit for a species by releasing
group of species, including fish caught under a special harvest fish from a stringer, live well or other holding device when another
licence, is listed below: more desirable (for example, larger) fish is caught. Fish that have
l Trout – 5 in total, combined of: been held on a stringer, live well or other holding device usually
0 bull trout (native to Alberta) die if released because of stress and damage to their gills, fins and
2 Northern Dolly Varden (historically released into Chester Lake); scales. Culling is unlawful if the practice occurs beyond a person’s
1 golden trout; legal possession limit.
3 lake trout;
5 cutthroat trout; Tips on Releasing Fish
5 rainbow trout; If a fish is handled carefully and gently, it will have an excellent
5 brown trout; chance of survival. The most important factors related to post- release
5 brook trout. mortality rates are warm water, depth of water, air exposure, and
5 tiger trout. swallowed hooks penetrating gills, throat and stomach regions. Fish
l Arctic Grayling – 0 hooked on the outside of the mouth or in the lip have a better chance
l Mountain Whitefish – 5 in total. of survival. Fishing during cooler times of the day, in shallower water,
l Walleye and Sauger – 3 in combined total. releasing fish quickly, and using methods that result in being hooked
l Northern Pike – 3 in total. around the mouth are the best ways to reduce post-release hooking
l Yellow Perch – 15 in total. mortality. Still fishing with bait or slowly drifting flies will result in
l Lake Whitefish and Cisco (Tullibee) – 10 in combined total. more deeply hooked fish. Keeping tight lines and setting the hook
l Goldeye and Mooneye – 10 in combined total. immediately after the strike may reduce the occurrence of deeply
l Burbot (Ling) – 10 in total. hooked fish. Walleye and Yellow Perch have a reduced chance of
l Lake Sturgeon – 0 survival if they are caught from deep water (>6 m or 20 feet).
l Non-game fish – Includes sucker species. There is no limit on l Retrieve your catch quickly.
the number of non-game fish. l Release fish immediately (with care).
l Avoid squeezing the fish.
NOTE: Limits and size restrictions at specific lakes and l Keep your fingers out of the gills and eyes.
streams are listed in regulation tables for each Watershed l Keep the fish in the water.
Unit starting on page 30. l Remove the hook carefully.
l Leave deeply swallowed hooks in the fish (Side-cutters can be
Sportfishing Seasons used to cut the hook instead of the line).
Check for dates of open and closed seasons under each Watershed l Help revive the fish by holding it in the water.
Unit of the Fish Management Zones starting on Page 30. l Do not fizz – it reduces survival of released fish.
l Fish for walleye and perch in relatively shallow water.
Tributaries and Beaver Ponds
l Tributaries to a lake have the same regulations as the outlet For more information, search for fish handling on mywildalberta.ca.
stream from the lake, unless stated differently in site-specific
regulations. Fishing with Bait
l Stream regulations do not apply to a lake or reservoir unless Bait includes, but is not restricted to: corn, cheese, marshmallows,
stated differently in site-specific regulations. meat, maggots, meal worms, earthworms, wax worms, gammarus
l The same regulations apply to beaver ponds as apply to the shrimp, leeches, terrestrial insects, the larvae, pupae or adults of
streams in which the ponds are found. aquatic insects (e.g., stonefly, mayfly, caddis fly), bait fish, parts of
l Ice fishing: Angling is not permitted through the ice; a) fish, fish eggs, scented baits, power baits and all additives that scent
into beaver ponds or b) into flowing waters in ES1 to ES4 or flavour artificial baits and lures.
management zones except the portion of the Lobstick River
lying in 53, 54-9, 10-W5.

Measuring Fish Length

Length – the total length of a fish
is measured from the tip of the
nose or jaw to the tip of the tail or
caudal fin with the tail pinched.
NOTE: Anglers should only
Maximum total length

22 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

Bait Ban means only unscented lures may be used. In specific
streams, only maggots may be used as bait during certain times l Seine net means a net the ends of which are brought together or
of the year to allow anglers to fish for mountain whitefish with less hauled ashore. Examples include beach seine or a throwing net.
impact on trout populations. In specific lakes, only maggots and l Seine nets may not be larger than 3 m in length and 2 m in depth.
mealworms may be used as bait to allow anglers to fish for perch l Minnow traps may not have dimensions greater than 60 cm in
and lake whitefish with less impact on pike populations. length by 30 cm in width, depth or diameter.
l No more than 2 minnow traps may be used at one time.
A Lure is a spoon, plug, jig, fly or other such device made only of l Minnow traps must be labeled with the operator’s name, address
feathers, fibre, rubber, wood, metal, plastic or similar materials, and and sportfishing licence number.
that does not attract fish by scent or flavour. l Crayfish cannot be used as bait. It is unlawful to possess
live crayfish.
Bait Fish may be used in waters that do not have bait bans or bait
fish restrictions. Where fishing with bait fish is not allowed other REMEMBER
baits including smelts, herring, gammarus shrimp and dead fish l It is illegal to use live bait fish or crayfish (live or dead) as bait.
eggs (e.g., preserved “salmon eggs”) may be used. l It is illegal to set out or use bait to attract fish unless the bait is
attached to a hook used in angling.
Bait Fish means any of the following: suckers (family l It is illegal to use scented lures or scented weights where bait
Catostomidae), sticklebacks (family Gasterosteidae), trout-perch bans are in effect.
(Percopsis omiscomaycus), Iowa darter (Etheostoma exile), l Discard live unused bait in its original packaging in a garbage
minnows (family Cyprinidae), and the exceptions are that NO carp, receptacle.
goldfish and the western silvery minnow can be used as bait.
Crayfish
No person shall angle using any fish as bait, other than dead bait When fishing for crayfish with a rod and reel (angling) a sportfishing
fish listed above, dead smelt, dead herring, dead shrimp, dead fish licence is required and sportfishing regulations apply (for example
eggs or the skin, fins or eyes of game fish caught by angling. no angling for crayfish when waters are closed to angling).

Note: Smelts and herring are of the saltwater families Osmeridae and When fishing for crayfish using a dip net, seine net, trap or by hand, a
Clupeidae. Cisco also called tullibee or lake herring are of the family sportfishing licence is not required and is permitted at any time of year.
Coregonidae and use of the whole fish as bait is prohibited. As Cisco
are classified as a game fish the skin, fins, or eyes of cisco legally The retention and transport of live crayfish is illegal. All retained
caught by angling may be used as bait similar to other game fish. Fish crayfish must be immediately killed.
(other than dead smelts, herring, gammarus shrimp and fish eggs) or
crayfish purchased from pet stores cannot be used as bait. Hooking Mortality
Restrictions on the use of bait are required to increase the survival
Parts of Game Fish: Only the skin, fins, eyes and dead eggs of game of released fish. Anglers are generally encouraged to fish with
fish may be used as bait, provided these fish were lawfully caught by unbaited lures because fish may be hooked in the lip or mouth more
angling. Skin, fins, eyes and dead eggs of game fish may be used often. Hooking mortality is generally higher for fish caught on baited
where the use of bait fish is prohibited, but cannot be used where bait hooks as they tend to take the baited hook deeper into the gills and
bans are in effect. All game fish kept must be counted in the daily catch stomach area and they take longer to release.
limit, including any fish from which parts are used for bait.

Collecting Bait Fish

Catching bait fish (such as suckers) by angling, bowfishing or
spearfishing is allowed from all waters open to fishing with these
methods, even at waters where the collection of bait fish by other
means is prohibited.

Anglers may collect their own bait fish by minnow trap, dip net and
seine net, but these fish must not be sold or released live to waters
other than waters from which they were taken. The commercial
collection of bait fish requires a Commercial Bait Fishing Licence.
The following regulations apply to the collection of bait fish for
personal use as bait:
l The collection of bait fish is not permitted in waters having
a bait ban or restriction on the use of bait fish, and in some
other specified waters (see Fish Management Zone regulations
Pages 30 to 88).
l The possession of live bait fish is prohibited. All bait fish kept
must be killed immediately. Please do not kill more than needed
because bait fish are important food for many sport fish.
l Fish other than bait fish must be immediately released
unharmed; game fish such as yellow perch must not be kept.

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 23

Releasing Fish
You must immediately release every fish that cannot be legally kept Health and Wellness is responsible for issuing food consumption
because of species, catch limit, size limit or other regulation, without advisories. Fish consumption advisories apply to local subsistence
exception, even if the fish is injured or dead. When the fish is alive, consumers, recreational anglers and residents who eat fish caught
you must release it in a manner that causes the least harm to the from these waterbodies. These advisories inform the public about any
fish. Examples of fish that must be released: potential health hazards they may encounter when eating specific
l A species for which the limit is 0. types of fish. The advisory helps local fish consumers make informed
l A fish smaller than the minimum-size limit. decisions about what is a safe amount of fish to eat. Search “Fish
l A fish larger than the maximum-size limit. Consumption Advisory” on mywildalberta.ca for more information, or
l A fish the size of which is protected by a slot-size limit. download the “Should I eat this fish” App to your cell phone.
l A fish caught after you have already kept your limit.
Cleaning and Transporting Fish
Use Caution on Ice Fish caught in Alberta:
The following guidelines do not override your obligation to use l Fish cleaned for storage at other than your permanent residence,
caution and common sense when travelling on ice: or for transport to your permanent residence must not be
l Careful measurement of ice thickness is important – always test skinned, cut or packed in a manner that the species cannot be
ice conditions. Never walk on ice that is less than 10 cm (4 in.) identified, the number of fish cannot be determined, and the total
thick and do not drive on ice that is less than 30 cm (12 in.) thick. length of every fish subject to a size limit cannot be determined.
l Beware of ice near the inlets or outlets of streams. Always l Two pieces of fish that are of the same species are considered to
be extra cautious of ice on rivers and streams. Ice can vary be one fish.
in thickness and in strength from area to area because of Tips:
temperature, water current, springs, snow cover and time of year. l Carry a cooler and ice for storing whole fish for transport to your
l Do not drive fast, or follow closely behind or park near another permanent residence.
vehicle on the ice. l Leave the head, tail and skin attached to fish subject to size limits
l Ask someone who knows the area about ice conditions and for accurate length measurements. Internal organs and gills can
places to avoid. be removed to preserve quality.
l Use caution and stay away from aeration sites. Anglers are l Fish that are not subject to size limits may be filleted, but enough
encouraged not to fish near aerators for their safety and to skin must be left on each fillet for species identification purposes.
prevent fishing lines from tangling in the units and damaging them. l Never transport fish in a solid frozen block.

REMEMBER REMEMBER
l ALL ICE FISHING SHELTERS THAT ARE ON THE ICE When cleaning fish away from your permanent residence, DO NOT
FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS MUST BE LABELLED ON THE REMOVE evidence of species and, if size limits apply, evidence
OUTSIDE WITH 2.5 cm BLOCK LETTERS OR LARGER WITH of length as described above, unless the fish are to be consumed
WiN NUMBER OR NAME AND PHONE NUMBER. immediately.
l ICE FISHING SHELTERS MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE
ICE BY MARCH 15 IN PP1 AND MARCH 31 EVERYWHERE Fish caught by someone else:
ELSE. If you are transporting fish caught by someone else, you must have
l ANGLING IS NOT PERMITTED THROUGH THE ICE; a bill of lading signed by the angler who harvested the fish. This
A) INTO BEAVER PONDS OR B) INTO FLOWING WATERS letter must provide the following information:
IN ES1 TO ES4 MANAGEMENT ZONES EXCEPT THE l The sportfishing licence number, name and signature of the
PORTION OF THE LOBSTICK RIVER LYING IN 53, individual who harvested the fish,
54-9, 10-W5. l The number and species of the fish,
l The location from which you started and the location to which you
Fish Consumption Advisory are traveling, and
Sportfishing is an important part of Canadian culture and can be a l The date on which the fish are being transported.
fun and healthy outdoor experience for people of all ages. Fish is
an excellent source of lean protein, and provides essential nutrients Fish caught outside of Alberta:
like omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, iron, selenium and vitamins A, C and When traveling within Alberta and transporting fish that were taken
D. Despite the health benefits that are associated with eating fish, in elsewhere, you must be able to support your claim that those fish
some locations in Alberta, various species of fish may be exposed to were caught outside of Alberta.
mercury and other contaminants that when consumed in high levels
can impact human health. Gill Nets
Anglers should be aware that while angling you may encounter gill
Methylmercury is the most toxic form of mercury. It is formed nets in some Alberta lakes.
through natural biological processes in the water and sediment
from other forms of mercury that are found in the environment. Gill nets can be lawfully set by licenced users (e.g. First Nations
Contaminants accumulate in fat tissues and are persistent in fish, people, Métis harvesters and researchers). All nets must be visibly
particularly in large predatory fish. marked at each end with a one (1) metre stake or spar buoy bearing
the applicable licence number. Anglers should respect these nets
The Government of Alberta has been issuing and reviewing fish and keep a safe distance to prevent entanglement with the boat or
consumption advisories for fish caught from local waterbodies in angling gear.
Alberta since the 1990s. The Chief Medical Officer of Health in Alberta Gill Nets continued on next page.

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 25

If the nets are not marked, or the presence of a net seems Access to Fishing Waters
suspicious, please call your local Fish and Wildlife Office (see Page Anglers are reminded that healthy fish populations, and our ability to
27) or the Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800. access fishing areas, are contingent upon courtesy and responsible
conduct on the lands around them. It is the angler’s responsibility to
Buying and Selling Fish know, understand, and abide by access conditions that apply when
The illegal trafficking of fish threatens our fish populations and is a using and enjoying Alberta’s lands.
serious offence. Report illegal activities (see Report A Poacher on
Page 10). Permission is always required before entering or crossing:
Unless authorized by licence; fish caught by any means cannot l Private land (from landowner)
be sold, bought, traded or bartered. l Indian reserves (from appropriate band council)
l Métis settlements (from appropriate Métis settlement association)
Spearfishing / Bowfishing l Public land under agricultural or grazing lease (from leaseholder)
A special licence for spearfishing or bowfishing is not required.
Spearfishing and bowfishing is allowed under the Alberta The website (https://www.alberta.ca/outdoor-recreation.aspx)
Sportfishing Licence. provides links to information for recreation on public land along with
l Only spears propelled by spring, elastic, compressed gas or contact information. You can also call toll free 1-833-310-5869 or
muscular power are permitted. email EPA.Outreach-Services@gov.ab.ca for more information.
l Only persons who are swimming may spearfish. While recreational ‘foot’ access is generally acceptable on public
l Spears or bows cannot be used to harvest trout, mountain land, anglers should be aware that:
whitefish, Arctic grayling, lake sturgeon, walleye or northern pike. l Fishing in the critical habitats offered by Alberta’s Wilderness
l Spearfishing or bowfishing are not permitted in Gods, May, and Ecological Areas is prohibited under the Wilderness, Areas,
Seibert, Winefred, Andrew, Gardiner and Namur lakes. Ecological Reserves, Natural Areas and Heritage Rangelands Act.
l Off-highway vehicle (OHV) access is prohibited in most provincial
Sportfishing in Provincial and National Parks parks and provincial recreation areas.
Alberta Sportfishing Regulations apply in Alberta Provincial Parks l Off-highway vehicle access may be limited or prohibited
but not in Canada’s National Parks. Separate regulations apply to within counties, municipal districts or within special public land
those waters or the portion of waters within National Parks. To fish management areas such as Public Land Use Zones (PLUZ).
in a National Park, you need a National Park Fishing Permit which is l Special conditions, such as extreme fire hazard, may warrant
valid only within the National Park. National Park fishing permits are additional temporary access conditions.
available at most park facilities and some commercial outlets. General
Inquiries for Parks Canada National office call 1-888-773-8888. Access to Crown Agricultural Lease Land
If you are looking to recreate on an agricultural lease you must
Fishing in a Wilderness Area or Ecological Reserve is prohibited contact the leaseholder to discuss access prior to entering a lease.
by the Wilderness Areas, Ecological Reserves, Natural Areas and Leaseholders have a duty to allow reasonable recreational access
Heritage Rangelands Act. to the land, as outlined in the Recreational Access regulation. As a
steward, the leaseholder is held accountable for the land, including
Sportfishing in Cold Lake any damage caused by recreational activities so the leaseholder has
Sportfishing in Cold Lake requires either an Alberta Sportfishing the ability to deny access for certain activities. Grazing Allotments
Licence (see licence exemptions under “Requirements”), or a in the Rocky Mountain Forest Reserve, such as those found in
Saskatchewan Angling Licence. The Alberta Fishery Regulations, the forested area of the foothills along the Eastern Slopes, are not
1998 apply to the Alberta portion of Cold Lake; while the affected by this legislation. Leaseholder’s contact information can be
Saskatchewan Regulations apply to the Saskatchewan portion of found on the Recreational Access Mapping Tool (geospatial.alberta.
Cold Lake (Saskatchewan regulations are consistent with Alberta ca/RecAccess).
regulations for Cold Lake).

Competitive Fishing Events

Go to MyWildAlberta website and search for Competitive Fishing
Events for more information or contact your nearest Fish and
Wildlife Office and speak to a fisheries biologist (see Page 27).

Be Bear Smart While Fishing

Bear encounters can happen any time, anglers should be extra alert.

Streams, rivers and lakeshores make convenient travel corridors

for wildlife, and the sound of moving water can mask the noise that
normally warns animals of your approach.

To learn more about Alberta bears and how to be BearSmart, visit

www.bearsmart.alberta.ca.

Gaff and Gaff Hooks

Gaff or a gaff hook are illegal to possess while angling in Alberta.

26 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 Alberta Government / Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services Offices
For further information about these regulations or other matters concerning fish or wildlife management, please contact
the sources listed below. For toll-free access within Alberta to most Alberta Government offices, call 310-0000.

Report A Poacher: Report suspicious or illegal

Alberta Government offices for these services
l Hunting, trapping and sportfishing regulations hunting and fishing activity, or dangerous wildlife
l Licences: RFMA/Trapping, Fish Stocking, Fish Research, Competitive Fishing, Fur Dealers, encounters by phone or online 1-800-642-3800
Taxidermy, Tannery, Damage Control
l Found Dead Wildlife or Export Permit applications 310-LAND (5263): Report illegal activity, enforcement
l Registrations for Compulsory Furbearer Species and Big Game, fish or wildlife disease inquiries concerns and public safety issues on public land or in
including freezer locations Provincial Parks.
l Wildlife or Fisheries Management inquiries

Eastslopes Calgary 403-297-6674 Alberta Government Fish and Wildlife Services:

Drayton Valley 780-542-6616
Great West Life Building,
9920 – 108 Street, Edmonton, Alberta
Edson 780-723-8527
T5K 2M4
Grande Prairie 780-538-5260
310-0000 in Alberta
Hinton 780-865-8264 780-427-2711 outside of Alberta
Pincher Creek 403-627-1120
Sportfishing regulations: www.mywildalberta.com
Rocky Mountain House 403-845-8230
Whitecourt 780-778-7153 Outreach Services:
Athabasca 780-675-2419
1-877-944-0313, EPA.Outreach-Services@gov.ab.ca
Northern Boreal
Bonnyville 780-826-3142 Licencing and WiN card: AlbertaRELM Helpdesk,
Fairview 780-835-7200 1-888-944-5494 (0600 to midnight, 7 days a week),
Fort McMurray 780-743-7200
albertarelm.com, ab.webmaster@aspirasupport.com
Fort Vermilion 780-927-3712 Legislation is available at Alberta King’s Printer:
High Level 780-841-0132 Edmonton, 10611-98 Avenue, 780-427-4952,
High Prairie 780-523-6521 www.qp.alberta.ca
Lac La Biche 780-623-5247 National Parks-Parks Canada:
Manning 780-836-3065 1-888-773-8888, www.pc.gc.ca
Peace River 780-624-6167 Environmental Hotline:
Slave Lake 780-849-7123 Environmental emergency or complaint,
St Paul 780-645-6313 1-800-222-6514
Spruce Grove 780-960-8600
Edmonton 780-427-3574
Respect Our Lakes program:
Parkland-Prairie
www.alberta.ca/respect-our-lakes.aspx
Lethbridge 403-381-5322
Medicine Hat 403-529-3680
Red Deer 403-340-7052
Vermilion 780-853-8137

Public Safety and Emergency Services / Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services Offices
l For non-urgent enforcement or problem wildlife matters see contact information below
l For hunting and fishing violations in progress or imminent public safety risk or significant property loss due to wildlife call Report A Poacher line 1-800-642-3800
l Fish and Wildlife Enforcement media requests 780-644-3009
l The first location listed is the designated Unit Hub office location responsible for the subsequent locations listed

Northwest Grande Prairie, Grande Cache, Spirit River, Valleyview 780-538-5265 South Calgary, Drumheller, Hanna, 403-297-6423
Strathmore
Region High Prairie, Edson, Fox Creek, Hinton, Slave Lake, Whitecourt 780-523-6526 Region
Cochrane, High River, Oyen 403-932-2388
Peace River, Fairview, Fort Vermilion, High Level, Manning 780-624-6405
Lethbridge, Brooks, Cardston, 403-381-5266
Rocky Mountain House, Drayton Valley, Evansburg, Nordegg, Sundre 403-845-8300 Medicine Hat, Vulcan
Northeast Athabasca, Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Fort McMurray, Lac La Biche 780-675-8169 Blairmore, Claresholm, 403-562-3289
Region Edmonton 780-644-7089 Pincher Creek

Spruce Grove, Barrhead 780-960-8190

Footnotes:
Red Deer, Ponoka, Stettler, Wetaskiwin 403-755-6150
1 Part time offices – please contact for service hours.
Smoky Lake, St. Paul1 780-656-3556
Vegreville, Camrose1 780-632-5410
Provost, Vermilion1 780-753-2433

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 27

 Fish management boundaries are based on three ecosystem zones as follows: the
Eastern Slopes, the Parkland-Prairie and the Northern Boreal. Each zone is divided into
Watershed Units to expand on specific regulations established to meet waterbody and
fish population needs.
ZONE 1 Eastern Slopes Zone on pages 30 to 53.
ZONE 2 Parkland-Prairie Zone on pages 54 to 67.
ZONE 3 Northern Boreal Zone on pages 68 to 92.

Maps
The maps in this
WOOD
Guide are designed as
references to help you
identify the location of
BUFFALO

NATIONAL Fish Management Zones

NORTHERN PARK and Watershed Units.
The boundaries shown
are in a small scale and
cannot be considered
NB3 legally exact. Because
Page 82 of the size of the guide,
it is not possible to show
complete detail for all
BOREAL lakes and streams.
NB4 Greater detail can be
Page 88 obtained from access
and topographic maps
that are available
from various map
dealers throughout the
province.

EASTERN ZONE
NB2 Watershed
ES4 Page 77 NB1 Boundaries
Page 50 Page 68 The boundary
between Watershed
Units is the height
of land that divides
ES3 the two watersheds,
Page 46 EDMONTON so that water on
one side flows
SLOPES PARKLAND one direction
and water on the
other side flows a
JASPER
NATIONAL ES2 PP2 different direction.
PARK Page 39 Page 63 “Watershed Unit”
means the area
drained by a stream
ZONE system, including
PRAIRIE
tributaries, described
and illustrated
BANFF on maps in the
NATIONAL
following sections
CALGARY
PARK
of this Guide. All
lakes, reservoirs
ZONE and ponds within
each unit are
PP1 included, whether
ES1 Page 54 or not they are
Page 30 directly connected
to the stream
WATERTON LAKES system.
NATIONAL PARK

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 29

n The Eastern Slopes consists of the mountains and foothills that form the “Eastern Slopes” along the Rocky Mountains from Montana to
the Grande Prairie region. Throughout this zone, tributary creeks flow into larger streams and into major rivers. These watersheds support
numerous trout and mountain whitefish populations, as well as Arctic grayling populations in the north.
The Eastern Slopes four Watershed Units are the Oldman and Bow rivers (ES1), the Red Deer and North Saskatchewan rivers
(ES2), the Athabasca and Pembina rivers (ES3) and the Smoky River (ES4).

ES1 WATERSHED UNIT REGULATIONS

n the Oldman River watershed upstream of Secondary Road 509 near Coalhurst and the Bow River watershed upstream of
Highway 24 near Carseland.

BAIT FISHING
l Fishing with Bait in ES1 streams is NOT allowed.
l Fishing with Bait is allowed at lakes without bait bans. Check the ES1 regulation tables for site specific regulations.
l Fishing with Bait Fish is NOT allowed in ES1 except at the following waters: Payne (Mami) Lake, Lees Lake, and Ghost Reservoir.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife may implement time of day angling restrictions in this watershed unit in response to low stream flows
and warmer water temperatures. Please see the Important Information page and My Wild Alberta webpage for more information.
Ice fishing: Angling is not permitted through the ice; a) into beaver ponds or b) into flowing waters in ES1
Mainstem of a river: includes the mainstem channel and any side channel, oxbows, riparian flow channels, and plunge pools below spillways.

ES1 Default Sportfishing Regulations

• The names of most ES1 lakes and streams are listed alphabetically in the site specific regulation tables on the following pages.
• Smaller streams may not be listed, but may be included as tributaries to a listed larger stream.
• If a listed waterbody does not have a season listed, it is CLOSED to fishing during that period.
• If a ES1 lake, reservoir, river, stream or species is not listed, follow the default regulations below.
• General regulation stocked trout lakes are listed on page 16.
LAKES • OPEN all year
• Bull Trout limit 0
• Arctic Grayling limit 0
• Trout limit 5
• Mountain Whitefish limit 5 over 30 cm
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Pike limit 3
• Perch limit 15
• Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Burbot limit 10
• Bait except Bait Fish allowed
STREAMS • OPEN June 16 to Aug. 31 • OPEN Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 • CLOSED Nov. 1 to June 15
• Bull Trout limit 0 • Bull Trout limit 0
• Arctic Grayling limit 0 • Arctic Grayling limit 0
• Trout limit 2 • Trout and Mountain Whitefish limit 0
• Cutthroat and Rainbow over 35 cm • Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Mountain Whitefish limit 5 over 30 cm • Northern Pike limit 3
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm • Yellow Perch limit 15
• Northern Pike limit 3 • Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Yellow Perch limit 15 • Burbot limit 10
• Lake Whitefish limit 10 • Bait Ban
• Burbot limit 10
• Bait Ban

30 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

ES1 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKTR MNWH RNTR CTTR BKTR DLVR Trout
l = Bait Total
except Bait
fish allowed
Aster Lake 5-19-9-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout

32 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

Barnaby Lake 32-4-3-W5 OPEN JULY 16 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 1 trout over 40 cm
Tributaries and outlet CLOSED ALL YEAR
Bear Pond 36-14-4-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 1 trout over 30 cm;
0 ARGR
Bearspaw Reservoir OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 5 over Other trout limit 1
30 cm under 35 cm
Big Iron Lake 1-15-4-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 1 trout over 30 cm;
0 ARGR
Burns Lake 17-19-7-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Burstall Lakes All lakes; 16-21-10-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Carburn Park Pond NE-23-23-1-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban
Carnarvon Lake 30-16-6-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Chester Lake 26-21-10-W5; Includes tributaries OPEN JULY 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 2 fish 2 fish
and outlet under 30
cm
Commonwealth Lake 29-21-10-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Crowsnest Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 5 over 5 trout
30 cm
Tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 TO AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 2 fish Other trout 0
30 cm
Tributaries OPEN SEPT. 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout
East Scarpe Lake 13-3-3-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Emerald (Hart) Lake SE-8-8-5-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 3 over 5 trout
30 cm
Fortress Lake 6-22-9-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Galatea Lakes Upper and lower; 13-22-10-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Gap Lake SW 20-24-09-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 5 over 2 fish Other trout 0
30 cm
Ghost Reservoir OPEN ALL YEAR Bait and bait 5 over 5 trout; 0 CTTR
fish allowed 30 cm
Glenmore Reservoir OPEN MAY 1 TO OCT. 31 l 3 fish 15 5 over 5 trout
fish 30 cm
Headwall Lakes Upper and lower; 19,30-21-9-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Hogarth Lakes Upper, middle, lower; 21-21-10-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 1 trout over 40 cm
Invincible Lake 5-20-9-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Kids Can Catch Pond 13-24-1-W5 OPEN MAY 1 TO SEPT. 30 Bait ban 0 trout
Lake Of The Horns 11-17-7-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Lillian Lake 13-22-10-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Loomis Lake 21-17-7-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout

Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 ES1 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds
Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKTR MNWH RNTR CTTR BKTR DLVR Trout
l = Bait Total
except bait
fish allowed
Lower Kananaskis Lake 35-19-9-W5; northwest bay-the CLOSED ALL YEAR
portion north of a line drawn from the
southernmost tip of the peninsula in
NE 11-20-9-W5 due west to the point
where the line intersects the shoreline
of the lake (the northwest bay)
35-19-9-W5; the remainder of the OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban over 50 over 50 1 trout
lake cm cm
Lys Lake 26-3-3-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca

Maude Lake 14-20-10-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Memorial Lakes South, East and West; 6-23-9-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Mount Lorette Ponds 19-23-8-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Mud Lake 22-21-10-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Odlum Lake 33-17-7-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Oldman Reservoir The Crowsnest River downstream OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 5 over 5 trout
of the Cowley Bridge, the Castle 30 cm
River downstream of Hwy. 3, and the
Oldman River downstream of Sec.
Rd. 510. The boundaries are fixed
regardless of water level fluctuations.
Phillips Lake 18-8-5-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Picklejar Lakes All lakes; 16, 17-18-6-W5; Includes OPEN JULY 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 trout
tributaries and outlet
Pine Coulee Reservoir APR. 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 fish 3 fish 1 trout over 50 cm
Quarry Lake 29-24-10-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 1 trout over 50 cm;
0 ARGR
Rainy Ridge Lake 32-3-3-W5 OPEN JULY 16 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 1 trout over 40 cm
Tributaries and outlet CLOSED ALL YEAR
Rawson Lake 11-19-9-W5; Includes tributaries and OPEN JULY 16 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 trout
outlet
Ribbon Lake 19-22-9-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Rummel Lake 3-22-10-W5; Includes tributaries and OPEN JULY 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 1 trout over 40 cm
outlet
Running Rain Lake 7-18-7-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 2 under 30 cm
Shark Lake NW-1-22-11-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Smuts Lakes Upper and lower; 24-21-11-W5; OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 1 trout over 40 cm
Includes tributaries and outlet
Southfork Lake 29-4-3-W5 OPEN JULY 16 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 1 trout over 40 cm
Tributaries and outlet CLOSED ALL YEAR
Sparrow's Egg Lake 6-20-8-W5; Includes tributaries and OPEN JULY 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 1 trout over 50 cm
outlet
Spray Lakes Reservoir OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 5 over 5 trout (includes 3
30 cm LKTR)
Tributaries OPEN JULY 1 TO AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over over 35 over 35 2 trout
30 cm cm cm
Tributaries OPEN SEPT. 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 33

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

ES1 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKTR MNWH RNTR CTTR BKTR DLVR Trout
l = Bait Total
except bait
fish allowed
Stenton Lake 35-25-10-W5; Includes tributaries OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 1 trout over 40 cm

34 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

and outlet
Sunken Lakes Champion Lakes; Upper and lower; OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 1 trout over 40 cm
26-21-5-W5
Talus Lake 25-20-8-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Three Isle Lake 23-19-10-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Tombstone Lakes Upper and lower; 13-20-8-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Unnamed (Blairmore 34-7-4-W5 CLOSED ALL YEAR
Water Supply Reservoir)
Upper Kananaskis Lake The portion of the lake within 100m of OPEN JULY 16 TO MAY 31 Bait ban over 50 over 50 1 trout
Rawson Creek inlet cm cm
The remainder of the lake OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban over 50 over 50 1 trout
cm cm
Watridge Lake 11-22-11-W5; Includes tributaries and OPEN JULY 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 trout
outlet
Wedge Pond 14-22-9-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 1 trout over 50 cm;
0 ARGR
Window Mountain Lake 29-9-5-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout

ES1 - Rivers, Creeks and Streams

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK BURB MNWH RNTR CTTR BKTR BNTR Trout
l = Bait Total
except Bait
fish allowed
Beaver Creek OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 trout

OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout

Belly River Mainstem upstream of Sec. Rd. 800 and OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout
tributaries
CLOSED SEPT. 1 to JUNE 15

Mainstem and tributaries; downstream of Sec. OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm over 35 over 35 cm 2 trout
Rd. 800 cm
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 trout

Boulton Creek Includes tributaries OPEN JULY 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout

Bow River Banff National Park downstream to Bassano Dam OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 trout
including Reservoir
Canmore Creek Includes tributaries OPEN APR. 1 to SEPT. 30 Bait ban 2 fish Other
trout 0

Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 Canyon Creek Includes tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 trout

Carbondale River Includes tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 trout

OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout

Castle River Mainstem from Hwy. 3 to West Castle River and OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm over 35 over 35 cm 2 trout
includes tributaries except Mill, Beaver Mines, cm
and Screwdriver creeks and Carbondale River
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout

Crowsnest River Mainstem from outlet of Crowsnest Lake OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 trout
downstream to the Cowley Bridge
All tributaries of Crowsnest River except Gold OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 1 or 2 1 or 2 2 trout

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca

Creek fish fish
All tributaries of Crowsnest River except Gold OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 trout
Creek
Elbow River Headwater downstream to Elbow Falls and OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 2 fish Other
tributaries except Quirk Creek trout 0
Mainstem, Elbow Falls downstream to Canyon CLOSED ALL YEAR
Creek
Mainstem, Canyon Creek downstream to Hwy. 22 OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout

Mainstem, Hwy. 22 downstream to Glenmore OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm over 35 over 35 cm 2 trout
Reservoir and tributaries cm
Mainstem, from Glenmore Reservoir downstream OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 trout
to Bow River
Ghost River Mainstem including tributaries except Waiparous OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 trout
Creek
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout

Ghost River Wilderness All water within the Wilderness Area CLOSED ALL YEAR
Area
Gold Creek Includes tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 2 fish Other
trout 0
Gorge Creek Includes tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 trout

Hidden Creek Tributary to Oldman River CLOSED SEPT. 1 to JUNE 15

OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 trout

Highwood River Headwater originating at Storm Ck and Mist Ck OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 2 fish Other
confluence downstream to Kananaskis Country trout 0
boundary; Includes tributaries except Storm
Creek OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 trout

Mainstem from K-Country boundary downstream OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 trout
to 500m above the mouth & tributaries except
Sheep R
Mainstem within 500m of Bow River (see Bow OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 trout
River)
Jumpingpound Creek Includes tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 2 fish Other
trout 0
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 2 fish Other
trout 0

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 35

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

ES1 - Rivers, Creeks and Streams

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK BURB MNWH RNTR CTTR BKTR BNTR Trout
Total
Kananaskis River Headwater downstream to Hwy. 1 including OPEN APR. 1 to JUNE 15 Bait ban 0 fish 2 fish Other
tributaries except Smith-Dorrien Creek trout 0

36 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 fish 0 fish Other
trout 2
Headwater downstream to Hwy. 1 including OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 2 fish Other
tributaries except Smith-Dorrien Creek trout 0
Mainstem from Hwy. 1 downstream to Bow River OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 2 fish Other
trout 0
Livingstone River Includes tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout

Mill Creek Including Gladstone and Whitney creeks CLOSED SEPT. 1 to JUNE 15

Includes tributaries including Gladstone and OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 2 fish Other
Whitney creeks trout 0
Oldman River Tributaries of Oldman River from headwater OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 trout
downstream to Sec. Rd. 510 excluding
Livingstone River and Hidden Creek
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout

Mainstem - headwater downstream to Racehorse OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 trout
Creek
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout

Mainstem - Racehorse Creek downstream to OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout
Hwy. 22
Mainstem - Hwy. 22 downstream to Sec. Rd. 510 OPEN APR. 1 to JUNE 15 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout

OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm over 35 over 35 cm 2 trout

cm
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 trout

Mainstem downstream from Sec. Rd. 510 - see

Oldman Reservoir
Oldman Reservoir dam downstream to Sec. Rd. OPEN APR. 1 to JUNE 15 Bait ban 3 fish 0 fish 0 trout
509
OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 fish 5 over 30 cm over 35 over 35 cm over 40 2 trout
cm cm
OPEN NOV. 1 to MAR. 31 Bait ban 3 fish 0 fish 0 trout

Pincher Creek Includes tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 trout

OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout

Policeman Creek Includes tributaries OPEN APR. 1 to SEPT. 30 Bait ban 2 fish Other
trout 0

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 Quirk Creek Includes tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 trout

Sheep River Includes tributaries; Headwater downstream to OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 trout
the bridge at Indian Oils Day-use Site
Bridge at Indian Oils Day-use Site downstream CLOSED ALL YEAR
to Gorge Creek and tributaries (except Gorge
Creek)
Mainstem - Gorge Creek downstream to OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm over 35 over 35 cm 2 trout
Highwood River cm
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 trout

Silvester Creek Includes tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 trout

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Smith-Dorrien Creek Includes tributaries CLOSED ALL YEAR

South Castle River Includes tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 trout

OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout

Storm Creek Upstream of Mist Creek confluence; Includes CLOSED ALL YEAR
tributaries (18-7-W5)
Unnamed INGLEWOOD BIRD SANCTUARY; SE 12-24-1- CLOSED ALL YEAR
W5; All water within sanctuary except the Bow
River main channel
Waiparous Creek Includes tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 2 fish Other
trout 0
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 2 fish Other
trout 0
Waterton River Tributaries upstream of Waterton Reservoir OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 fish 0 fish 1 or 2 1 or 2 2 trout
including Drywood Creek fish fish
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout

Mainstem - upstream of Waterton Reservoir OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 fish 0 fish 1 or 2 1 or 2 2 trout
fish fish,
over 40
cm
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout

Mainstem and tributaries - downstream of OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 1 or 2, 1 or 2, over 0 fish 0 fish 2 trout
Waterton Reservoir over 35 35 cm
cm
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 trout

West Castle River Includes tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout

Willow Creek Mainstem and tributaries upstream of Hwy. 532 OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 fish 0 fish 2 fish 2 trout

Mainstem and tributaries from Hwy. 532 OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 5 over 30 cm 0 fish 0 fish Other
downstream to Pine Coulee Reservoir Diversion trout 2
Headpond
Mainstem only downstream of Pine Coulee OPEN MAY 8 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 fish 5 over 30 cm over 30 over 30 cm 2 trout
Reservoir Diversion Headpond cm
OPEN NOV. 1 to MAR. 15 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 trout

Tributaries downstream of Pine Coulee Reservoir OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 trout
Diversion Headpond

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 37

38 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800
ES2 WATERSHED UNIT REGULATIONS
n The Red Deer River watershed upstream of the Dickson Dam west of Innisfail and the North Saskatchewan River watershed
upstream of Highway 22/39 near Drayton Valley.
BAIT FISHING
l Fishing with bait in ES2 streams is NOT allowed.
l Fishing with Bait is allowed at lakes without Bait Bans. Check the ES2 regulation tables for site specific regulations.
l Fishing with Bait Fish is NOT allowed in ES2 except at the following waterbodies: Burnstick Lake, Brazeau Canal, Cow Lake, Jackfish
Lake and Glennifer (Reservoir) Lake.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife may announce short-term emergency stream closures in response to low stream flows and warmer water
temperatures. Sportfishing would be suspended and fishing not allowed for the duration of the emergency period.
Ice fishing: Angling is not permitted through the ice; a) into beaver ponds or b) into flowing waters in ES2
Mainstem of a river: includes the mainstem channel and any side channel, oxbows, riparian flow channels, and plunge pools below spillways.

ES2 Default Sportfishing Regulations

• The names of most ES2 lakes and streams are listed alphabetically in the site specific regulation tables on the following pages.
• Smaller streams may not be listed, but may be included as tributaries to a listed larger stream.
• If a listed waterbody does not have a season listed, it is CLOSED to fishing during that period.
• If a ES2 lake, reservoir, river, stream or species is not listed, follow the default regulations below.
• General regulation stocked trout lakes are listed on page 16.
LAKES • OPEN all year
• Bull Trout limit 0
• Arctic Grayling limit 0
• Trout limit 5
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Northern Pike limit 3
• Perch limit 15
• Mountain Whitefish limit 5 over 30 cm
• Burbot limit 10
• Bait except bait fish allowed
STREAMS • OPEN Apr. 1 to Aug. 31 • OPEN Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 • CLOSED Nov. 1 to Mar. 31
• Bull Trout limit 0 • Bull Trout limit 0
• Arctic Grayling limit 0 • Arctic Grayling limit 0
• Trout limit 2 • Trout and Mountain Whitefish limit 0
• Cutthroat over 35 cm • Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Mountain Whitefish limit 5 over 30 cm • Northern Pike limit 3
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm • Yellow Perch limit 15
• Northern Pike limit 3 • Burbot limit 10
• Yellow Perch limit 15 • Bait Ban
• Burbot limit 10
• Bait Ban

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 39

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

ES2 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR BURB LKTR MNWH RNTR BNTR CTTR Trout
l = Bait Total
except
Bait fish
allowed
Abraham Lake 36-37-18-W5; all waters within the area of the OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 3 fish 5 over over 30 over 30 5 trout
lake’s high water level; includes downstream of 30 cm cm cm
Highway 11 (Cline River) bridge and downstream
of 2-18-36-17-W5 on the North Saskatchewan

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca

River
Allstones Lake 30-38-17-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Beaver Lake 16-35-6-W5 OPEN APR. 1 TO NOV. 30 Bait ban 0 trout
Birch Lake 18-35-6-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 1 fish 3 trout
Brazeau Canal 3-46-11-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait and 3 over 3 fish
bait fish 50 cm
allowed
Brazeau Reservoir 12-46-12-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 5 over 5 trout
30 cm
Burnstick Lake 12-35-7-W5; Includes tributaries for 1 km OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait and 0 fish 1 over 5 fish 5 trout
upstream bait fish 63 cm
allowed
Coral Lake 21-38-20-W5 OPEN AUG. 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 1 trout
over 35
cm
Tributaries and outlet for 1 km CLOSED ALL YEAR
Cow Lake 12-38-8-W5 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait and 0 fish 15 fish 5 fish 0 fish
bait fish any
allowed size
Dormer Lake 28-30-11-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Eagle Lake 11-32-11-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Entry Lake 18-36-18-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Fiesta Lake 15-12-35-6-W5 OPEN APR. 16 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 trout
Gap Lake 5-39-13-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Gleniffer Lake 30-35-2-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait and 1 fish 1 fish 10 fish 3 over 2 trout
bait fish 30 cm
allowed
Ice Lake 13-31-12-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Ironside Pond 7-38-7-W5 OPEN APR. 16 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 trout
Jackfish Lake 6-41-11-W5; Includes tributaries and outlet for 1 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait and 0 fish 0 fish 5 fish
km downstream bait fish
allowed
Job (Wilson or Blue) Lake 20-39-20-W5; Includes tributaries and outlet for CLOSED ALL YEAR
1.5 km downstream
Kinglet Lake 35-35-18-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 0 trout
Lake Of Falls 10-36-19-W5 OPEN JULY 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 2 trout
Tributaries and outlet for 1.5 km downstream OPEN JULY 1 TO AUG. 31 Bait ban 2 trout
Landslide Lake 7-36-18-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 41

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

ES2 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR BURB LKTR MNWH RNTR BNTR CTTR Trout
l = Bait Total
except
bait fish
allowed

42 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

Lost Guide Lake 9-34-14-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Michele (Upper And Lower) 2,11-36-20-W5 OPEN AUG. 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 1 trout
Lakes over 35
cm
Tributaries CLOSED ALL YEAR
Muskiki Lake 5-45-20-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 1 fish 5 trout
over 40
cm
Obstruction Lakes 6-40-20-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Pinto Lake 25-36-21-W5; Includes tributaries and outlet for CLOSED ALL YEAR
1.5 km downstream
Resolute Lake 13-35-19-W5; Includes tributaries and outlet OPEN APR. 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout
Ruby Lake 22,27-44-22-W5 OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 2 trout
Siffleur Wilderness Area All water within the Wilderness Area CLOSED ALL YEAR

Swan Lake 26-36-9-W5; for outlet regs see Swan Creek OPEN JUNE 16 TO SEPT. Bait ban 3 fish 1 trout
15
OPEN NOV. 1 TO JAN. 15 Bait ban 3 fish 1 trout
over 70
cm
White Goat Wilderness All water within the Wilderness Area CLOSED ALL YEAR
Area
Unnamed (Jumping Fish) And inlets, outlet and tributaries to outlet in NE 30 CLOSED ALL YEAR
Lake & SE 31-44-17-W5 (tributary to Brown Creek)

ES2 - Rivers, Creeks and Streams

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait SAUG WALL NRPK BURB GOLD MNWH RNTR CTTR BNTR Trout
Total
Alford Creek Mainstem and tributaries OPEN APR. 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 2 trout
30 cm
OPEN SEPT. 1 to MAR. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout
Baptiste River Mainstem only OPEN APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 over 3 fish 5 over 2 trout
50 cm 30 cm
Bighorn River Mainstem and tributaries upstream of Crescent OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban over 30 2 trout
Falls cm
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 trout
Mainstem and tributaries downstream of OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over over 35 2 trout
Crescent Falls 30 cm cm
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout
Blackstone River Mainstem and tributaries upstream of Mons CLOSED ALL YEAR
Creek including Mons Creek
Mainstem downstream of Mons Creek and OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 trout
tributaries (except Rundell Creek)

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 Brazeau River Mainstem upstream of Forestry Trunk Road OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over over 30 2 trout
(bridge at 6-16-45-18-W5) and tributaries 30 cm cm
(except Cardinal River), outside of Jasper
National Park OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout
Mainstem downstream of the Forestry Trunk OPEN APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 over 3 over 5 over over 35 2 trout
Road (bridge at 6-16-45-18-W5) to the Brazeau 50 cm 63 cm 30 cm cm
Reservoir
Mainstem downstream of Brazeau Reservoir OPEN APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 trout
Burnt Timber Creek Mainstem and tributaries (except Pinto Creek) OPEN APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 3 fish 3 over 2 trout
30 cm
Cardinal River Mainstem and tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout
Clear Creek Mainstem and tributaries OPEN APR. 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 3 fish 5 over 2 trout
30 cm

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca

OPEN SEPT. 1 to MAR. 31 Bait ban 3 fish 0 fish 0 trout
Clearwater River Mainstem from the Banff National Park OPEN APR. 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 2 trout
boundary downstream to Timber Creek 30 cm
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout
Tributaries from the Banff National Park CLOSED ALL YEAR
boundary downstream to and including Timber
Creek
Mainstem from Timber Creek downstream to OPEN APR. 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 2 trout
the Forestry Trunk Road (bridge at 5-35-09-W5) 30 cm
and tributaries (except Elk Creek)
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout
Mainstem from Forestry Trunk Road (bridge OPEN APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 over 3 fish 10 fish 5 over 2 trout
at 5-35-09-W5) downstream to the North 50 cm 30 cm
Saskatchewan River
Cline River Mainstem and tributaries downstream to OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over over 30 2 trout
the Highway 11 (Cline River) bridge except 30 cm cm
tributaries to Coral Lake, Pinto Lake, all water
within the White Goat Wilderness Area and the OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 trout
outlet of Pinto Lake for 1.5 km downstream.
Dogpound Creek Mainstem and tributaries OPEN APR. 1 to JUNE 15 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 trout
OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over over 40 2 trout
30 cm cm
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 trout
Elk Creek Mainstem and tributaries; 33-35-12-W5 OPEN APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout
Fall Creek Mainstem and tribuatries; Upstream of the falls OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 trout
at 11-31-37-11-W5
Mainstem and tributaries downstream of the CLOSED ALL YEAR
falls at 11-31-37-11-W5
Fallentimber Creek Mainstem and tributaries OPEN APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 over 0 fish 2 trout
30 cm
James River Mainstem and tributaries OPEN APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 3 fish 3 over 2 trout
30 cm
Little Red Deer River Headwater downstream to Twp. Rd. 352 OPEN APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 fish 0 fish 0 trout
(Cottonwood Road) and tributaries except
Dogpound Creek. See PP2 for Little Red Deer
River downstream of Twp. Rd. 352.
Lynx Creek Mainstem and Tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 trout
Nordegg River Mainstem and tributaries OPEN APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 trout
North Ram River Mainstem and tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 trout
North Raven River STAUFFER CREEK; Mainstem and tributaries OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 3 fish 0 fish 0 trout

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 43

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

ES2 - Rivers, Creeks and Streams

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait SAUG WALL NRPK BURB GOLD MNWH RNTR CTTR BNTR Trout
Total
North Saskatchewan Mainstem and tributaries from Banff National OPEN APR. 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over Over Over 2 trout
River Park boundary downstream to Abraham Lake 30 cm 30 cm 30 cm
(2-18-36-17-W5) and tributaries including

44 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

tributaries to Abraham Lake, except Cline River OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout
and Siffleur River
Mainstem from Bighorn Dam downstream to APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 3 over 3 fish 10 fish 10 fish 5 over Over 2 trout
Hwy 22/39 50 cm 30 cm 35 cm
Tributaries from Bighorn Dam downstream OPEN APR. 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 3 over 3 fish 10 fish 10 fish 5 over Over 2 trout
to Hwy 22/39 (except Baptiste River, Bighorn 50 cm 30 cm 35 cm
River, Brazeau River, Clearwater River, Ram
River, Wolf Creek and Washout Creek) OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 3 over 3 fish 10 fish 10 fish 0 fish 0 trout
50 cm
Pinto Creek 35-29-10-W5; Tributary to North Burnt Timber CLOSED ALL YEAR
Creek; Mainstem and tributaries
Prairie Creek Mainstem upstream of the North Fork Road OPEN APR. 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 3 fish 5 over 2 trout
and all tributaries (except Swan Creek and 30 cm
tributaries between Vetch and Swan Creek)
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 fish 0 fish 0 trout
The portion of the mainstem and tributaries OPEN APR. 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 3 fish 0 fish 0 trout
between Vetch and Swan Creeks
The remainder of the mainstem downstream OPEN APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 over 3 fish 0 fish 0 trout
of the North Fork Road (except the portion 50 cm
between Vetch and Swan Creeks)
Ram River Also known as South Ram River; Mainstem and OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout
tributaries (except Fall Creek)
Raven Brood Trout SW-5-36-5-W5; All water within CLOSED ALL YEAR
Station
Raven River Mainstem and tributaries except North Raven OPEN APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 3 fish 3 over 0 trout
River (Stauffer Creek) 30 cm
Red Deer River Mainstem and tributaries from Banff National OPEN APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 trout
Park boundary downstream to the Forestry
Trunk Road (13-31-10-W5)
Mainstem from Forestry Trunk Road OPEN APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 3 fish 10 fish 3 over 2 trout
downstream to Gleniffer (Reservoir) Lake and 30 cm
tributaries (except Fallentimber Creek, Raven
River, North Raven River and Pinto Creek)
Rundell Creek 27-44-15-W5; Mainstem and tributaries CLOSED ALL YEAR
Siffleur River Mainstem and tributaries downstream from CLOSED ALL YEAR
Banff National Park boundary
Siffleur Wilderness All water within the Wilderness Area CLOSED ALL YEAR
Area
Swan Creek Mainstem and tributaries; Downstream for 2 km OPEN APR. 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 2 trout
below Swan Lake 30 cm
The remainder including tributaries to Swan APR. 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 2 trout
Lake 30 cm
SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout
Tay River Mainstem and tributaries OPEN APR. 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over 2 trout
CLOSED SEPT. 1 to MAR. 31 30 cm

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 Unnamed (Devil's 4-45-16-W5; Tributary to Brazeau River CLOSED ALL YEAR
Fork) Creek
Washout Creek 24-47-8-W5; Mainstem and tributaries OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 3 fish 5 over 2 trout
30 cm
White Goat Wilderness All water within the Wilderness Area CLOSED ALL YEAR
Area
Wolf Creek 13-47-8-W5; Rose Creek; Mainstem and OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 3 fish 5 over 2 trout
tributaries 30 cm

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 45
ES3 WATERSHED UNIT REGULATIONS
n The Athabasca River watershed upstream of Secondary Road 658 near Whitecourt, and the Pembina River watershed upstream
of Highway 43 near Sangudo.
BAIT FISHING
l Fishing with Bait in ES3 streams is restricted. Check the ES3 site specific regulations and default regulations for details.
l Fishing with Bait is allowed at lakes without Bait Bans. Check the ES3 regulation tables for site specific regulations.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife may announce short-term emergency stream closures in response to low stream flows and warmer water
temperatures. Sportfishing would be suspended and fishing not allowed for the duration of the emergency period.
Ice fishing: Angling is not permitted through the ice; a) into beaver ponds or b) into flowing waters in ES3 except the portion of the Lobstick
River lying in 53, 54-9, 10-W5 (Open June 16 to Oct. 31)
Mainstem of a river: includes the mainstem channel and any side channel, oxbows, riparian flow channels, and plunge pools below spillways.

ES3 Default Sportfishing Regulations

• The names of most ES3 lakes and streams are listed alphabetically in the site specific regulation tables on the following pages.
• Smaller streams may not be listed, but may be included as tributaries to a listed larger stream.
• If a listed waterbody does not have a season listed, it is CLOSED to fishing during that period.
• If a ES3 lake, reservoir, river, stream or species is not listed, follow the default regulations below.
• General regulation stocked trout lakes are listed on page 16.
LAKES • OPEN all year
• Bull Trout limit 0
• Arctic Grayling limit 0
• Trout limit 5
• Mountain Whitefish limit 5 over 30 cm
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Northern Pike limit 3
• Yellow Perch limit 15
• Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Burbot limit 10
• Bait except bait fish allowed
STREAMS • OPEN June 16 to Aug. 31 • OPEN Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 • CLOSED Nov. 1 to June 15
• Athabasca Rainbow and Bull Trout limit 0 • Athabasca Rainbow and Bull Trout limit 0
• Arctic Grayling limit 0 • Other Trout, Arctic Grayling and Mountain
• Other Trout limit 2 Whitefish limit 0
• Mountain Whitefish limit 5 over 30 cm • Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm • Northern Pike limit 3 over 63 cm
• Northern Pike limit 3 over 63 cm • Yellow Perch limit 15
• Yellow Perch limit 15 • Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Lake Whitefish limit 10 • Burbot limit 10
• Burbot limit 10 • Bait Ban
• Bait Ban

46 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

ES3 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB LKTR RNTR Trout Total
Bear Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait allowed 0 fish 1 over 63 cm 15 fish
Blue Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait allowed 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish

48 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

Busby Lake 6-51-1-W6 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 0 trout
Cache Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait allowed 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish
Chip Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait allowed 3 fish 2 fish
Embarras Pit Lakes NW-25-47-21-W5 CLOSED ALL YEAR
Fickle Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait allowed 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish
Tributaries and outlet OPEN JUNE 16 TO OCT. 31 Bait allowed 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish
Graveyard Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait allowed 0 fish 10 fish
Gregg Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait allowed 1 fish 0 fish 10 fish
Horseshoe Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait allowed 3 fish 15 fish
Jarvis Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait allowed 1 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish
Lac Des Roches 13-47-24-W5 CLOSED ALL YEAR
Long Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait allowed 1 fish 3 over 63 cm 15 fish
Lovett Lake 10-47-19-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 1 trout over
40 cm
Millers Lake 8-53-19-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait allowed 2 RNTR; 0
TGTR
Minnow Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait allowed 1 over 50 cm 0 fish 15 fish
Tributaries and outlet OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait allowed 1 over 50 cm 0 fish 15 fish
Mystery Lake 24-48-26-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 0 trout
Pit 24 Lake 15,16, NE4-47-19-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 1 trout over
40 cm
Pit 35 Lake 24-46-19-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 1 trout over
40 cm
Pit 44 Lake SW 35-46-19-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 1 trout over
40 cm
Pit 45 Lake 24-46-19-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 1 trout over
40 cm
Rock Lake 52-2-W6 OPEN MAY 15 TO SEPT. 15 Bait ban 0 fish 3 over 50 cm 0 fish
Shiningbank Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait allowed 0 or SHL tags 0 fish 5 fish 0 fish
Tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 TO OCT. 31 Bait allowed 0 or SHL tags 0 fish 5 fish 0 fish
Silkstone Lake 9-47-19-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 1 trout over
40 cm
Sundance Lake OPEN ALL YEAR Bait allowed 3 over 63 cm
Unnamed (Lodgepole) Pond NE-01-48-10-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait allowed 2 trout
Unnamed (Sphinx) Lake NE-6-48-24-W5 CLOSED ALL YEAR
Wolf Lake SE-12-49-15-W5 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait allowed 1 fish 1 over 63 cm 15 fish
Tributaries to lake and outlet OPEN JUNE 16 TO OCT. 31 Bait allowed 0 fish 1 over 63 cm 15 fish

Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 ES3 - Rivers, Creeks and Streams
Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK BURB GOLD MNWH RNTR BKTR
Athabasca River Upstream of Sec. Rd. 658 (near Whitecourt) to Jasper National Park OPEN APR. 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 5 over 30 cm 0 fish 2 fish
Boundary mainstem river only (including Brule Lake)
Upstream of Sec. Rd. 658 (near Whitecourt) to Jasper National Park OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 5 over 30 cm 0 fish 0 fish
Boundary mainstem river only (including Brule Lake)
Berland River Mainstem only - downstream of Hwy 40 OPEN APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 over 3 over 5 over 30 cm 0 fish
50 cm 63 cm
Bigoray River Mainstem including tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish
Deerlick Creek Mainstem including tributaries CLOSED ALL YEAR
Dismal Creek Mainstem including tributaries; See Pembina River CLOSED ALL YEAR

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca

Embarras River Mainstem including tributaries except Erith River OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish
Eunice Creek 23-48-23-W5, includes tributaries CLOSED ALL YEAR
Gregg River Mainstem including tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish
Lobstick River Portion upstream of Chip Lake including tributaries to Chip Lake OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 fish 2 fish
Lobstick River Portion downstream from Chip Lake to the Pembina River OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 over 3 over 10 fish 10 fish 5 over 30 cm
50 cm 63 cm
Luscar Creek Mainstem including tributaries CLOSED ALL YEAR
Mackenzie Creek Mainstem including tributaries CLOSED ALL YEAR
Mcleod River Mainstem only; Headwater downstream to Hwy 47 OPEN APR. 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 3 over 3 over 10 fish 5 over 30 cm 0 fish 2 fish
50 cm 63 cm
Mainstem only; Headwater downstream to Hwy 47 OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 over 3 over 10 fish 5 over 30 cm 0 fish 0 fish
50 cm 63 cm
Mainstem only; Hwy 47 downstream to the Athabasca River OPEN APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 over 3 over 10 fish 5 over 30 cm 0 fish 2 fish
50 cm 63 cm
Pembina River Headwater downstream to Sec. Rd. 753 near Lodgepole, includes CLOSED ALL YEAR
Dismal and Rat creeks and tributaries
Mainstem only - downstream from Sec. Rd. 753 (near Lodgepole) to OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait 3 over 3 over 10 fish 10 fish 5 over 30 cm
Hwy. 43 (near Sangudo) allowed 50 cm 63 cm
Plante Creek Mainstem including Apetowun Creek and tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish
Rat Creek Mainstem including tributaries: see Pembina River CLOSED ALL YEAR
Wampus Creek Mainstem including tributaries CLOSED ALL YEAR
Wildhay River Mainstem including tributaries and Jarvis Creek OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish
Windfall Creek Mainstem including tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 49

ES4 WATERSHED UNIT REGULATIONS
n The Smoky River watershed upstream of the 21st Base Line, and the Albright Creek watershed.
BAIT FISHING
l Fishing with Bait in ES4 streams is restricted. Check the ES4 regulation tables for site specific regulations.
l Fishing with Bait Fish in streams is NOT allowed except at portions of the Smoky and Little Smoky Rivers.
l Fishing with Bait including Bait Fish in lakes is allowed except at lakes listed with Bait Bans under the ES4 site specific regulations.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife may announce short-term emergency stream closures in response to low stream flows and warmer water
temperatures. Sportfishing would be suspended and fishing not allowed for the duration of the emergency period.
Ice fishing: Angling is not permitted through the ice; a) into beaver ponds or b) into flowing waters in ES4
Mainstem of a river: includes the mainstem channel and any side channel, oxbows, riparian flow channels, and plunge pools below spillways.

ES4 Default Sportfishing Regulations

• The names of most ES4 lakes and streams are listed alphabetically in the site specific regulation tables on the following pages.
• Smaller streams may not be listed, but may be included as tributaries to a listed larger stream.
• If a listed waterbody does not have a season listed, it is CLOSED to fishing during that period.
• If a ES4 lake, reservoir, river, stream or species is not listed, follow the default regulations below.
• General regulation stocked trout lakes are listed on page 16.
LAKES • OPEN all year
• Bull Trout limit 0
• Arctic Grayling limit 0
• Trout limit 5
• Mountain Whitefish limit 5 over 30 cm
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Northern Pike limit 3
• Yellow Perch limit 15
• Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Burbot limit 10
• Bait including Bait Fish allowed
STREAMS • OPEN June 1 to Aug. 31 • OPEN Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 • CLOSED Nov. 1 to May 31
• Bull Trout limit 0 • Bull Trout limit 0
• Trout and Arctic Grayling limit 0 • Trout, Arctic Grayling and Mountain
• Mountain Whitefish limit 5 over 30 cm Whitefish limit 0
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm • Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Northern Pike limit 3 over 63 cm • Northern Pike limit 3 over 63 cm
• Yellow Perch limit 15 • Yellow Perch limit 15
• Lake Whitefish limit 10 • Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Burbot limit 10 • Burbot limit 10
• Bait Ban • Bait Ban

50 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

ES4 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB RNTR Trout
l = Bait Total
allowed

52 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

A La Peche Lake 55-6-W5 OPEN JUNE 1 TO AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 trout
Crooked Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 10 fish
County Sportplex Pond OPEN APR. 1 TO OCT. 31 l 0 fish
Goose Lake 69-24-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 15 fish
Iosegun Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 45- 0 fish 15 fish 0 fish 10 fish
50 cm
Tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 1 fish 45- 0 fish 0 fish
50 cm
Long Lake 68-24-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 15 fish
Meekwap Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 63 10 fish
cm
Pierre Greys Lakes Lower or MacDonald Lake; 7-57-4-W6 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 1 trout
over 40
cm
Raspberry Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 63 10 fish
cm
Smoke Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 0 fish 10 fish
Tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish
Snipe Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 50 1 fish 63- 5 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm 70 cm
Tributaries and outlet 1 km downstream OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 1 over 50 1 fish 63- 5 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm 70 cm
Sturgeon Lake OPEN APR. 1 TO SEPT. 30 l 1 fish 45- 0 fish 5 fish 0 fish 10 fish
AND JAN. 16 TO MAR. 31 50 cm
OPEN OCT. 1 TO JAN. 15 l 1 fish 45- 0 fish 5 fish 0 fish 10 fish
BETWEEN SUNRISE AND 50 cm
SUNSET
Goose Creek tributary OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 1 fish 45- 0 fish 5 fish 0 fish 10 fish
50 cm

ES4 - Rivers, Creeks and Streams

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK BURB MNWH Trout
Total
Cutbank River Mainstem including tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 5 over 5 trout
30 cm
Deep Valley Creek Mainstem including tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout
Grizzly Creek Tributary to Kakwa River CLOSED ALL YEAR
Kakwa River Mainstem including tributaries except Lynx Creek OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout

Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 Little Smoky River Headwaters downstream to Hwy. 43 OPEN JUNE 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 over
30 cm
OPEN SEPT.1 to OCT.31 Bait ban 0 fish
Mainstem; Downstream of Hwy. 43 OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed 3 over 50 cm 3 over 63 cm 5 over 0 trout
30 cm
Lynx Creek Tributary to Kakwa River CLOSED ALL YEAR
Muskeg River Mainstem including tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 5 trout
Simonette River Mainstem including tributaries except Deep Valley Creek OPEN JUNE 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 3 over 50 cm 3 over 63 cm 5 over 0 trout
30 cm
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 over 50 cm 3 over 63 cm 0 fish 0 trout
Smoky River Headwater downstream to Hwy. 43 and tributaries except Kakwa, OPEN JUNE 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 3 over 50 cm 3 over 63 cm 5 over 2 trout

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca

Muskeg, Simonette rivers 30 cm
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 over 50 cm 3 over 63 cm 0 fish 0 trout
Mainstem - downstream of Hwy. 43 to 21st Base Line OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed 3 over 50 cm 3 over 63 cm
Torrens River Mainstem including tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout
Wapiti River Mainstem including tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 to AUG. 31 Bait ban 3 over 50 cm 3 over 63 cm 5 over 0 trout
30 cm
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 over 50 cm 3 over 63 cm 0 fish 0 trout

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 53

n The Parkland-Prairie consists approximately of the southeastern quarter of the province, east of Highway 2 from the Montana border to
the North Saskatchewan River. Four major rivers that start in the mountains flow through the Parkland-Prairie. Shallow lakes and reservoirs
are also found in the Parkland-Prairie.
The Parkland-Prairie two Watershed Units are the Milk and South Saskatchewan rivers, including portions of the Oldman and Bow
rivers (PP1), and the Red Deer, Battle and North Saskatchewan rivers (PP2).

PP1 WATERSHED UNIT REGULATIONS

n The Milk River watershed, and the South Saskatchewan River watershed upstream to Secondary Road 509 on the Oldman River near
Coalhurst, including the St. Mary River watershed, and upstream to Highway 24 on the Bow River near Carseland.
BAIT FISHING
l Fishing with Bait, including Bait Fish in PP1 lakes and streams is allowed except at locations listed with Bait Bans under site specific
regulations.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife may implement time of day angling restrictions in this watershed unit in response to low stream flows
and warmer water temperatures. Please see the Important Information page and My Wild Alberta webpage for more information.
Mainstem of a river: includes the mainstem channel and any side channel, oxbows, riparian flow channels, and plunge pools below spillways.

PP1 Default Sportfishing Regulations

• The names of most PP1 lakes and streams are listed alphabetically in the site specific regulation tables on the following pages. See pages 60-62
• Smaller streams may not be listed, but may be included as tributaries to a listed larger stream. for PP1 waterbody
• If a listed waterbody does not have a season listed, it is CLOSED to fishing during that period.
• If a PP1 lake, reservoir, river, stream or species is not listed, follow the default regulations below. specific regulations.
• General regulation stocked trout lakes are listed on page 16.
LAKES • OPEN all year
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Northern Pike limit 3 over 63 cm
• Yellow Perch limit 15
• Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Burbot limit 10
• Trout limit 5
• Mountain Whitefish limit 5 over 30 cm
• Bait allowed
STREAMS • OPEN May 8 to Mar. 15 • CLOSED Mar. 16 to May 7
• Lake Sturgeon limit 0
• Trout limit 2
• Mountain Whitefish limit 5 over 30 cm
• Walleye and Sauger limit 3
• Walleye over 50 cm
• Northern Pike limit 3 over 63 cm
• Yellow Perch limit 15
• Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Burbot limit 10
• Goldeye limit 10
• Bait allowed

54 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 The following illustrates important characteristics for identifying
Trout (true trout and char) – rayless, fleshy lobe (adipose

TROUT – BLACK S
BROWN TROUT CUTTHROAT TROUT

– pale haloes around large black spots on back

and body – no halos around black sp
– red spots on sides – red-orange slash under t

CHAR – NO BLACK
BULL TROUT LAKE TROUT

– no spots or markings on dorsal fin or tail – pale spots on body and d

– pale yellow to red spots on the body – tail deeply forked
– lower fins have a pale lea
g common trout species. Remember, if you don’t know, let it go!
e fin) on back behind dorsal fin and small scales on body.

SPOTS ON SIDES
T RAINBOW TROUT

pots – no halos around black spots

the jaw – no red-orange slash under the jaw

K SPOTS ON SIDES
BROOK TROUT

dorsal fin – black markings on dorsal fin – slightly forked tail

– lower fins have a black stripe behind a pale
ading edge leading edge
 Walleye
Walleye have two distinct fins on their back, the first with large spines.
Lake Sturgeon They have a yellow-olive back, brassy, silvery sides with yellow spots, a
white underside, and white on the lower lobe of the tail. Dusky vertical
Lake Sturgeon are a Threatened Species due to population size and
bars are often found on the body as well.
concerns with viability. They have a zero possession limit across the
province - IF YOU CATCH THIS FISH YOU MUST RELEASE IT.
Lake Sturgeon have a large brown or grey body covered with tough, leather-
like tissue and five rows of bony plates. They have a shark-like, upturned tail
and a pointed snout with four barbels.

Sauger
Lake Whitefish Sauger are Sensitive in Alberta due to few occurrences, habitat
Lake Whitefish are olive-green to blue on the back, with silvery sides. They degradation and being misidentified as walleye.
have a small mouth below a rounded snout, and a deeply forked tail. Sauger are golden olive on the back with silver-yellow sides and a white
underside. They also have a large spiny dorsal fin, distinct rows of spots
on the dorsal fins and three or four dusky vertical bars on the body.

Mountain Whitefish
Mountain Whitefish have large scales, no spots and small mouths with no
Burbot
teeth. Their general body colour is a bronze-white or greenish white. Burbot have a slim, brownish black body with smooth skin, a flattened
head, and a fin that stretches along the back half of the body. Distinctive
barbels hang from the lower jaw and nostrils.

Goldeye
Goldeye have prominent eyes with bright yellow pupils, a blunt head, and
Northern Pike a deep, compressed body. Their colour ranges from dark blue to blue-
green on its back, with silvery or white sides.
Northern Pike are a long, slender fish with duck-like jaws and a long, flat
head. The back and sides are predominantly dark green to olive green, with
yellow to white spots.

Yellow Perch Mooneye

Yellow Perch are golden yellow or green, with broad, dark vertical bands Mooneye and Goldeye have very similar appearance. Mooneye have
on their sides. They also have needle-like spines on the dorsal fin. prominent eyes with the top being golden, a blunt head, and a deep,
compressed body with a longer keel. Their colour ranges from grey-blue to
silver back with silvery or white sides.
 Arctic Grayling
Arctic Grayling are a Species of Special Concern due to
overharvest and passage barriers. They have a zero possession
limit across the province - IF YOU CATCH THIS FISH YOU MUST Brook Trout
RELEASE IT. Brook trout are among the most colourful trout. The back is dark green with
Arctic grayling can be identified by their colourful and very large dorsal fin pale wavy lines, while the sides have a purple sheen with blue-haloed red
and by their large scales with brown or black spots on the body behind the spots.
head.

Rainbow Trout Bull Trout

Athabasca rainbow trout are the only strain native to alberta Bull Trout are a Threatened Species due to small population and
and are found in the Upper Athabasca watershed. They are a concerns of viability. They have a zero possession limit across the
Threatened Species due to habitat degradation and overharvest province - IF YOU CATCH THIS FISH YOU MUST RELEASE IT.
and have a zero possession limit.
Bull trout are slim fish with a large head. Their back is olive-green to grey
Rainbow Trout are olive-green in color with heavy black spotting over while their sides are silvery and marked with pale yellow to red spots.
the body. Adult fish have a red-coloured stripe along the lateral line, There are no black spots on the dorsal fin.
from the gills to the tail.

Brown Trout Westslope Cutthroat Trout

Brown trout are golden brown in colour with large black spots on the back, Westslope Cutthroat Trout are a Threatened Species due to hybridization,
and red spots (some with pale haloes) on the sides. They are the only trout a reduced native range (within the S. Saskatchewn R basin) and concerns
with both red and black spotting. of viability. Stocked populations outside of their native range are not
threatened.
Cutthroat trout are named for the bright red-orange streak in the fold under
the mouth. They also have small scales and black spots without halos on
the sides.

Golden Trout
Golden trout are the most colourful of trout, with an olive-green back and
bright red-to-gold sides and belly.

Lake Trout
Lake Trout are a Sensitive Species due to being limited to a few lakes.
Lake Trout are a grey fish with irregular white spots and a forked caudal fin.

Tiger Trout
The tiger trout is a sterile hybrid from crossing brown trout eggs and
brook trout milt. Tiger trout can be light to dark in colour and have
pronounced vermiculations like the stripes of a tiger.

Remember, If you don’t know, let it go!

Learn more about fish identification on mywildalberta.ca, or visit
albertanativetrout.com for tips on identifying native trout.
For more information, please see Alberta’s Species at Risk and
Fisheries Management status websites: https://www.alberta.ca/species-
at-risk.aspx or https://www.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife.aspx
 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

PP1 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB MNWH Trout Total
l = Bait
allowed
Badger Lake OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 1 fish 50- 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
55 cm

60 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

Bassano Reservoir See Bow River from Hwy. 24 downstream to Bassano Dam
Chestermere Lake OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish
Chin Lakes OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 1 fish 50- 0 fish 10 fish 10 fish
55 cm
Clear Lake 14-25-W4 OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 0 fish
Corner Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 15 fish 5 trout
Cowoki Lake OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish

CPR Reservoir OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 15 fish

Crawling Valley Reservoir 3-21-18-W4; Includes inlet canal downstream of canal OPEN MAY 8 TO NOV. 30 l 0 or SHL 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
headworks between sunrise and sunset tags
3-21-18-W4; Includes inlet canal downstream of canal OPEN ALL DAY DEC. 1 TO l 0 or SHL 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
headworks MAR. 15 tags
Cross Coulee Reservoir 5-20-W4 OPEN ALL YEAR l 0 fish 0 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Eagle Lake OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish
Elkwater Lake OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 3 fish 15 fish
Fincastle Lake OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 1 over 55 3 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm
Forty Mile Coulee Reservoir OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 1 fish 50- 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
55 cm
Gun Club (Cann) Reservoir 17-19-14-W4 OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish
Hays (Grantham Reservoir) Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 fish 2 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Henderson Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 15 fish
Horsefly Lake Reservoir OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 fish 2 fish 15 fish
Jamieson Lake 16-19-14-W4 OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 3 over 63 cm
Jensen Reservoir 4-22-W4 OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 0 fish 0 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Johnson Lake Interlakes Reservoir; 9-19-14-W4 OPEN ALL YEAR l 1 fish 15 fish
Keho Lake Includes inlet canal to the first drop structure OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 1 fish 50- 1 fish 63-70 10 fish 10 fish
55 cm cm
Kitsim Reservoir 17-16-W4 OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish
Lake Newell NE-32-16-15-W4; inlet canal downstream of the Bow Slope OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 0 or SHL 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
turnout structure tags
Lethbridge University Pond OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish
Little Bow Lake Reservoir Includes inlet canal OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 1 fish 50- 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
55 cm
Lost Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish
Marsh Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish

Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 Mcgregor Reservoir OPEN MAY 8 TO NOV. 30 l 1 fish 50- 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
between sunrise and sunset 55 cm
OPEN ALL DAY DEC.1 TO l 1 fish 50- 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
MAR.15 55 cm
Mcvinnie Reservoir OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 3 fish 5 trout
Michele Creek Reservoir 5-7-3-W4 OPEN ALL YEAR l Trout limit 5;
BNTR over 35
cm; RNTR no
size limit; only
one trout may
be BNTR
Milk River Ridge Reservoir Includes upstream to the inlet canal to the first drop OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 1 fish 50- 0 fish 10 fish 10 fish
structure 55 cm
Murray Lake 10-7-8-W4 OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 3 over 50 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca

cm
Outpost (Police) Lake 8-1-26-W4 OPEN APR. 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 fish 1 trout over
50 cm
Park Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 1 fish 1 fish 15 fish
Picture Butte Reservoir OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish
Rattlesnake (Sauder) Reservoir OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 1 fish 50- 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
55 cm
Raymond Reservoir OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish
Raymond Sugar Factory Reservoir OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish
Reesor Lake 20-8-1-W4 OPEN ALL YEAR l Trout limit 5;
TGTR over 50
cm; RNTR no
size limit; only
one trout may
be TGTR
Rock Lake 20-15-W4 OPEN ALL YEAR l 1 fish 15 fish
Rolling Hills Lake OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Shays Reservoir OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish
Sherburne Lake Sherburne Reservoir OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 1 over 50 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm
Snake Reservoir 19-17-W4 OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish
Spruce Coulee Reservoir 26-8-2-W4 OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 5 trout
St. Mary Reservoir OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 3 over 50 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish
cm
Stafford Reservoir OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 1 fish 50- 0 fish 10 fish 10 fish
55 cm
Stonehill Lake OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 3 over 63 cm
Taber Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish
Tilley B Reservoir OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

Timko Lake (J Or Bantry 33-17-13-W4 OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish

Reservoir)
Travers Reservoir Portion west of SW 2-15-22-W4 (North of a line from the OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 15 l 1 fish 50- 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
farm building to Little Bow Provincial Park pumphouse 55 cm
on the east); no fishing within 100 m of the Canal inlet
structure
The remainder of the Reservoir including the canal between OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 1 fish 50- 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Travers and McGregor reservoirs; no fishing within 100m of 55 cm
the canal inlet structure

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 61

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

PP1 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB MNWH Trout Total
l = Bait
allowed
Twelve Mile Coulee Reservoir OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 3 over 50 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm

62 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

Twin Valley Reservoir OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 0 fish 1 over 63 cm
Unnamed (Scope) Lake Scope Reservoir ; 13-14-W4 OPEN MAY 8 TO MAR. 15 l 3 over 50 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish
cm
Unnamed (Burdett) Lake 10-12-W4 OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 50 3 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm
Yellow Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 50 3 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm

PP1 - Rivers, Creeks and Streams

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL + SAUG NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB GOLD MNWH RNTR CTTR Trout
l = Bait Total
allowed
Battle Creek 8-1-W4; Includes tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 to MAR. 31 Bait ban 0 trout
Bow River Banff National Park downstream to OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 trout
Bassano Dam including Reservoir
Bassano Dam downstream to South OPEN MAY 8 to MAR. 15 l 3 in combination, 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish 5 over 30 cm 2 trout
Saskatchewan River WALL over 50 cm
Carseland-Bow Between McGregor Lk and the drop OPEN MAY 8 to SEPT. 30 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
River Headwater structure 1 km upstream of Sec. Rd. 542 and DEC. 1 to MAR. 15
Canal
Cowoki Irrigation Between Cowoki Lake and Tilley B OPEN MAY 8 to SEPT. 30 Bait ban 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Canal Reservoir and DEC. 15 to MAR. 15
Graburn Creek 8-1-W4; Includes tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 to MAR. 31 Bait ban 0 trout
Lee Creek Mainstem including tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. Bait ban 3 fish 10 fish 5 over 30 cm over 30 over 2 trout
31 cm 30 cm
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 trout
Little Bow River Travers Reservoir upstream to Township CLOSED ALL YEAR
Rd. 144A
Township Rd. 144A upstream to OPEN JUNE 1 to MAR. 15 l 3 in combination, 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Carmangay WALL over 50 cm
Twin Valley Reservoir Dam downstream to OPEN MAY 8 to MAR. 15 Bait ban 0 fish
Rge. Rd. 252
Oldman River Mainstem from Sec. Rd. 509 downstream to OPEN MAY 8 to MAR. 15 l 3 in combination, 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish 5 over 30 cm
South Saskatchewan River and tributaries WALL over 50 cm
South OPEN MAY 8 to MAR. 15 l 3 in combination, 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish
Saskatchewan River WALL over 50 cm
St. Mary River Mainstem upstream of St Mary Reservoir; OPEN JUNE 16 to AUG. Bait ban 3 fish 5 over 30 cm over 35 over 2 trout
Includes tributaries except Lee Creek 31 cm 35 cm
OPEN SEPT. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 fish 0 trout
Mainstem downstream of St Mary OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. Bait ban 3 in combination, 3 over 63 cm 5 over 30 cm 0 fish 0 fish 0 trout
Reservoir; Includes tributaries 31 WALL over 50 cm

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PP2 WATERSHED UNIT REGULATIONS
n The Red Deer River watershed downstream of the Dickson Dam west of Innisfail, the Battle River watershed, and the North
Saskatchewan River watershed downstream of Highway 22/39 near Drayton Valley, excluding tributary watersheds entering on the left
(north) bank downstream of Highway 38 near Redwater (NOTE: The boundary between the Parkland-Prairie and Northern Boreal zones
follows the north terrace and river break along the North Saskatchewan River valley).
BAIT FISHING
l Fishing with Bait, including Bait Fish, in PP2 lakes and streams is allowed except at locations listed with Bait Bans under site specific
regulations.
Mainstem of a river: includes the mainstem channel and any side channel, oxbows, riparian flow channels, and plunge pools below spillways.

PP2 Default Sportfishing Regulations

• The names of most PP2 lakes and streams are listed alphabetically in the site specific regulation tables on the following pages.
• Smaller streams may not be listed, but may be included as tributaries to a listed larger stream.
• If a listed waterbody does not have a season listed, it is CLOSED to fishing during that period.
• If a PP2 lake, reservoir, river, stream or species is not listed, follow the default regulations below.
• General regulation stocked trout lakes are listed on page 16.
LAKES • OPEN all year
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Northern Pike limit 3 over 63 cm
• Yellow Perch limit 15
• Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Burbot limit 2 (Burbot limit 0 Feb. 1 to Mar. 31)
• Trout limit 5
• Mountain Whitefish limit 5 over 30 cm
• Bait allowed
STREAMS • OPEN May 15 to Mar. 31 • CLOSED Apr. 1 to May 14
• Lake Sturgeon limit 0
• Walleye and Sauger limit 3
• Walleye over 50 cm
• Northern Pike limit 3 over 63 cm
• Trout limit 2
• Mountain Whitefish limit 5 over 30 cm
• Yellow Perch limit 15
• Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Burbot limit 2 (Burbot limit 0 Feb. 1 to Mar. 31)
• Goldeye limit 10
• Bait allowed
 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

PP2 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB Trout Total
l = Bait
allowed
Arm Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 15 fish
63 cm
Battle Lake Portion west of the west boundary of section 22-46-2-W5; OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 5 fish 10 fish 2 fish; but limit
Includes tributaries and outlet downstream to Sec. Rd. 771 is 0 from Feb.

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca

1 to Mar. 31
Remainder of the lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 5 fish 10 fish 2 fish; but limit
is 0 from Feb.
1 to Mar. 31
Berry Creek (Carolside) Reservoir 27-12-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 45-50 1 fish 15 fish
cm 63-70
cm
Big Lake Includes tributaries OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 3 over 15 fish
63 cm
Blood Indian Creek Reservoir 21-26-9-W4; Includes tributaries OPEN ALL YEAR l Trout limit 3;
BNTR, BKTR,
TGTR over 35
cm; RNTR no size
limit; only 1 trout of
that total may be a
BNTR, BKTR, or
TGTR
Buck Lake Includes tributaries and the portion of the outlet located in OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 45-50 0 fish 5 fish 0 fish 2 fish; but limit
3-47-6-W5 cm is 0 from Feb.
1 to Mar. 31
Buffalo Lake Portion located in 40-22-W4 (the Narrows) OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 2 fish; but limit
is 0 from Feb.
1 to Mar. 31
Remainder of the lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 2 fish; but limit
63 cm is 0 from Feb.
1 to Mar. 31
Chain Lakes (Upper and Middle) 42-24,25-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish
any
size
Clear (Barnes) Lake Includes tributaries upstream 1 km and outlet downstream OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish
1 km; 44-5-W4
Coal Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 5 fish
Driedmeat Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 15 fish
63 cm
East Twin Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 15 fish
63 cm
Forestburg Reservoir Includes the Battle River upstream to Sec. Rd. 855 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 2 fish; but limit
is 0 from Feb.
1 to Mar. 31
Gull Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO OCT. 31 l 1 fish 45-50 0 fish 5 fish 3 fish 2 fish; but limit
AND DEC. 11 TO MAR. 31 cm is 0 from Feb.
1 to Mar. 31
Diversion Canal located in 34,35,36-40-1-W5 CLOSED ALL YEAR
Hubbles Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 15 fish
63 cm

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 65

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

PP2 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB Trout Total
l = Bait
allowed
Isle Lake Includes tributaries and outlet (Sturgeon River) OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish any 1 over 10 fish 0 fish
size 63 cm

66 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

Jack Fish Lake 52-2-W5 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish
Kerbe's Pond NE-19-36-20-W4 OPEN APR. 1 TO NOV. 30 Bait ban 1 trout over 50 cm
Lac Ste. Anne Includes tributaries & outlet (Sturgeon River) OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 or SHL 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 2 fish; but limit
tags is 0 from Feb.
1 to Mar. 31
Lessard Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 15 fish
63 cm
Little Fish Lake Includes tributaries & outlet OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish
Lloydminster Pond SE-6-50-1-W4 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 trout
Magee Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish
Matchayaw (Devil's) Lake Includes tributaries and outlet (Sturgeon River) OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 3 over 15 fish 2 fish; but limit
63 cm is 0 from Feb.
1 to Mar. 31
Mayatan Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 15 fish
63 cm
Medicine Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 5 fish
63 cm
Mere Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 15 fish
63 cm
Mink Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 15 fish
63 cm
Muir Lake 31-53-27-W4 OPEN MAY 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 1 trout over 50 cm
Pigeon Lake Includes tributaries and outlet OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 or SHL 0 fish 5 over 10 fish 1 fish; but limit
tags 25 cm is 0 from Feb.
1 to Mar. 31
Pine Lake Includes tributaries and outlet OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 1 over 5 fish
63 cm
Raft Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 15 fish
63 cm
Rat Lake 10-46-6-W5 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 45-50 0 fish
cm
Spotted Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 2 fish; but limit
is 0 from Feb.
1 to Mar. 31
Sylvan Lake Includes tributaries OPEN MAY 15 TO OCT. 31 l 1 fish 0 fish 5 fish 5 fish 2 fish; but limit
AND DEC. 11 TO MAR. 31 is 0 from Feb.
1 to Mar. 31
Wabamun Lake Includes tributaries, outlet and canals OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 or SHL 0 fish 0 fish 5 fish 2 fish; but limit
tags is 0 from Feb.
1 to Mar. 31
West Twin Lake Includes Tributaries and outlet; 9,10-46-3-W5 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 15 fish
63 cm
Wizard Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 15 fish
63 cm

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 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

PP2 - Rivers, Creeks and Streams

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL + SAUG NRPK YLPR BURB GOLD MNWH Trout
l = Bait Total
allowed
Battle River Mainstem from Battle Lake downstream to Hwy.
771 - See Battle Lake
Mainstem from Hwy. 771 downstream to Hwy. 855 OPEN MAY 15 to MAR. 31 l 3 in combination; 3 over 63 cm
WALL over 50 cm

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca

Mainstem from Hwy. 855 downstream to the
Forestburg Reservoir - See Forestburg Reservoir
Mainstem from downstream of the Forestburg OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 3 in combination; 3 over 63 cm 2 fish 10 fish
Reservoir and tributaries WALL over 50 cm
Berry Creek Mainstem including ALL tributaries OPEN MAY 15 to MAR. 31 l 0 SAUG; 1 wall 1 fish 63-70 15 fish
45-50 cm cm
Blindman River Mainstem including ALL tributaries OPEN MAY 15 to MAR. 1 l 0 WALL 3 over 63 cm 2 fish, but limit is 10 fish 3 over 0 trout
zero from Feb. 1 30 cm
to Mar. 1
Little Red Deer River Mainstem from Cottonwood Road (Twp. Rd. 352) OPEN MAY 15 to MAR. 1 Only 0 WALL 3 over 63 cm 2 fish, but limit is 10 fish 3 over 0 trout
downstream to Red Deer River; Includes ALL maggots zero from Feb. 1 30 cm
tributaries allowed to Mar. 1
Medicine River Mainstem including ALL tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to MAR. 1 Only 0 WALL 3 over 63 cm 2 fish, but limit is 10 fish 3 over 0 trout
maggots 0 from Feb. 1 to 30 cm
allowed Mar. 1
North Saskatchewan River Mainstem downstream Hwy. 22/39 (Drayton Valley) OPEN ALL YEAR l 0 WALL or SAUG 1 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish 5 over
to the Alberta/ Saskatchewan border 30 cm
Tributaries (excluding the Sturgeon River; OPEN MAY 15 to MAR. 31 l 0 within 500 m of 1 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish 5 over
See Redwater River in NB1); from Hwy. 22/39 mainstem 30 cm
downstream to the Alberta/ Saskatchewan border
Parlby Creek 23-40-22-W4; Portion between Buffalo and Alix OPEN MAY 15 to MAR. 31 l 0 fish
lakes
Red Deer River Mainstem from Dickson Dam downstream to the OPEN MAY 15 to MAR. 1 Only 0 WALL; 3 SAUG 3 over 63 cm 2 fish, but limit is 10 fish 3 over 0 trout
Tolman Bridge (Hwy. 585) including ALL named maggots 0 from Feb. 1 to 30 cm
and unnamed tributaries (excluding Medicine allowed Mar. 1
River) (Sec. Hwy. 585 [14-33-22-W4])
Mainstem and tributaries from Tolman Bridge OPEN MAY 15 to MAR. 31 l 3 in combination, 3 over 63 cm 2 fish, but limit is 10 fish
(Sec. Hwy. 585) downstream to the Alberta/ WALL over 50 cm 0 from Feb. 1 to
Saskatchewan border Mar. 31
Sturgeon River From headwater downstream to Big Lake OPEN MAY 15 to MAR. 31 l 0 WALL or SAUG 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 2 fish, but limit is
0 from Feb. 1 to
Mar. 31
From Big Lake downstream to Sec. Hwy. 825 OPEN MAY 15 to MAR. 31 l 0 WALL or SAUG 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 2 fish, but limit is 10 fish
0 from Feb. 1 to
Mar. 31
From Sec. Hwy. 825 downstream to North OPEN ALL YEAR l 0 WALL all year; 1 over 63 cm 15 fish 2 fish, but limit is 10 fish
Saskatchewan River 0 SAUG from apr. 0 from Feb. 1 to
1 to may 14; 3 Mar. 31
SAUG from may
15 to mar. 31
Sylvan Creek NE-11-38-28-W4; Includes Cygnet Lake CLOSED ALL YEAR

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 67

n The Northern Boreal consists of a vast area of central and northern Alberta consists of boreal forest. Throughout the boreal forest, many
of the streams are low gradient, brown water streams which in turn are part of the major drainage basins of the Athabasca, Peace and Hay
rivers. The majority of the lakes in Alberta occur in the boreal forest zone.
The four Northern Boreal Watershed Units (NB1-NB4) are made of the Beaver, Athabasca, La Biche, Lesser Slave, Pembina,
Peace, Wabasca, Hay, Christina, Clearwater rivers and Lake Athabasca watersheds.

NB1 WATERSHED UNIT REGULATIONS

n The Beaver River watershed and the Athabasca River watershed between the north boundary of Township 78 (near Pelican River) and
Sec. Rd. 813 (near the town of Athabasca), including the Calling River watershed, and the La Biche River watershed (NOTE: the tributary
watersheds, including several lakes in the “Lakeland District,” entering on the left downstream bank [north bank] of the North Saskatchewan
River downstream of Highway 38 near Redwater are also part of NB1).
BAIT FISHING
l Fishing with Bait, including Bait Fish in NB1 lakes and streams is allowed except at locations listed with Bait Bans under site specific
regulations.

Mainstem of a river: includes the mainstem channel and any side channel, oxbows, riparian flow channels, and plunge pools below spillways.

NB1 Default Sportfishing Regulations

• The names of most NB1 lakes and streams are listed alphabetically in the site specific regulation tables on the following pages.
• Smaller streams may not be listed, but may be included as tributaries to a listed larger stream.
• If a listed waterbody does not have a season listed, it is CLOSED to fishing during that period.
• If a NB1 lake, reservoir, river, stream or species is not listed, follow the default regulations below.
• General regulation stocked trout lakes are listed on page 16.
LAKES • OPEN May 15 to Mar. 31 • CLOSED Apr. 1 to May 14
• Arctic Grayling limit 0
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Northern Pike limit 3 over 63 cm
• Yellow Perch limit 15
• Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Burbot limit 10
• Trout limit 3
• Bait allowed
STREAMS • OPEN June 1 to Oct. 31 • CLOSED Nov. 1 to May 31
• Arctic Grayling limit 0
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Northern Pike limit 3 over 63 cm
• Mountain Whitefish limit 5 over 30 cm
• Yellow Perch limit 15
• Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Burbot limit 10
• Bait allowed

68 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

NB1 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB LKTR Trout
l = Bait Total
allowed
Amisk Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 or SHL tags 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

70 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

Tributaries and outlet for 1 km OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 0 or SHL tags 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Angling Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 15 fish
Bangs Lake Includes tributaries and outlet for 1 km OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 fish 3 fish 15 fish
Beartrap Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 15 fish
Beaver Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Behan Lake 11-1-73-11-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Bentley Lake 58-8-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 15 fish
63 cm
Big Chief Lake 16-72-11-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 15 fish
Big Johnson (Chump) Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 1 fish 15 fish
Bluet Lake 58-4-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish
70 cm
Bonnie Lake RED LAKE; 60-13-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish
63 cm
Bourque Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 50-55 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm
Bunder Lake 61-12-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish
63 cm
Burnt Lake 67-3-W4 CLOSED ALL YEAR
Cache Lake 59-12-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish
63 cm
Calling Lake OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 45-55 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm
Includes tributaries and outlet for 1 km OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 1 fish 45-55 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm
Chickenhill Lake 59-8-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 10 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Claude Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 15 fish

Clyde Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 15 fish

Cold Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 50 cm 1 over 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish 1 fish over 75 cm
63 cm from May 15-Sept.
14 and Nov. 16-
Mar. 31; 0 from
Sept. 15-Nov. 15
Cow Lake 8-72-11-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 15 fish 10 fish
Crane (Moore) Lake Includes outlet stream OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish
Crickett Lake 64-18-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 fish
Drown Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 15 fish

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 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

NB1 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB LKTR Trout
l = Bait Total
allowed
Elinor Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 45-50 1 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm 63-70

72 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

cm
Ethel (Bear) Lake Includes tributaries and outlet for 1 km OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 or SHL tags 1 over 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
63 cm
Fishing Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish
63 cm
Floatingstone Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 10 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Tributaries and outlet for 1 km OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 10 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Fork Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 10 fish 10 fish 10 fish
55-63
cm
Francis Lake 69-11-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish
Frog Lake 57-3-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 50 cm 1 over 10 fish 10 fish 10 fish
63 cm
Garner Lake 60-12-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 45-50 0 fish 5 fish 10 fish
cm
Garnier Lakes 58-4-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish
70 cm
Goodfish Lake 61-13-W4 CLOSED ALL YEAR
Goodwin Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 15 fish
Greenstreet Lake 60-11-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over
63 cm
Halfmoon Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 2 fish 15 fish
Hanmore Lake 61-17-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 2 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Heart Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Hilda Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 or SHL tags 1 over 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
63 cm
Hope Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 1 over 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
63 cm
Ironwood Lake 65-11-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 50-55 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm
Island Lake 62-17-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish
55 cm
Kaduk Lake 60-15-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish
63 cm
Kehiwin Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Lac Bellevue 56-9-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 45-50 0 fish 10 fish
cm
Lac La Biche OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 50-55 0 fish 15 fish 3 fish 10 fish
cm
Tributaries and outlet; see La Biche River and Owl CLOSED ALL YEAR
River

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 Lac La Biche Trout Pond Alexander Hamilton Pond OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 15 fish 3 trout
Lac Saint Cyr 57-9-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish
63 cm
Lac Sante OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 1 over 10 fish 10 fish 10 fish
63 cm
Includes outlet OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 0 fish 1 over 10 fish 10 fish 10 fish
63 cm
Lakeland Provincial Park All lakes including Blackett, Dabbs, Helena, Jackson, OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 45-50 1 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Kinnaird, McGuffin, Shaw and Snake; Species limits cm 63-70
are combined for all water cm
Laurier Lake 56-4-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish
63 cm

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca

Little Bear Lake 34-70-10-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 15 fish
Lodge Lake 66-17-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish
Logan Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish
Lone Pine Lake 63-14-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish 10 fish
63 cm
Long Lake 56-1-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish
63 cm
Long Lake Boyle area; 63-19-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 or SHL tags 0 fish 10 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Boyle area; tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 0 or SHL tags 0 fish 10 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Manatokan Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 fish 15 fish
Marie Lake OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 50-55 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm
May Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 50-55 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm
Minnie Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 15 fish
Mons Lake 60-16-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish
63 cm
Moonshine Lake 58-1-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over
63 cm
Moose Lake Portion south of a line from the easternmost OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 1 l 0 or SHL tags 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
point of land in NW2-61-7-W4 (Pelican Point) to
the southernmost point of land in E2-61-7-W4
(Deadman's Point) and southeast to the northernmost
point of land in SW31-60-6-W4 (Ferbey Subdivision)
Remainder of the lake and tributaries for 1 km OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 31 l 0 or SHL tags 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
upstream and outlets for 1 km downstream
Moosehills Lake 57-6-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over
63 cm
Muriel Lake Includes tributaries and outlet for 1 km OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 1 fish 0 fish 0 fish 0 fish
North Buck Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish 10 fish 10 fish
63 cm
Includes outlet for 1 km OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 1 over 10 fish 10 fish 10 fish
63 cm
Piche Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 73

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

NB1 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB LKTR Trout
l = Bait Total
allowed
Pinehurst Lake Portion north of a line drawn from the easternmost CLOSED ALL YEAR
point of land in NW19-65-09-W4 easterly to the

74 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

westernmost point of land in NE19-65-09-W4 locally
known as Snug Cove (Mud Bay)
Remainder of the lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Primrose Lake CLOSED ALL YEAR
Reed Lake 61-12-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish
63 cm
Rock Island Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Tributaries and outlet for 1 km OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Ross Lake 56-4-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish
63 cm
Seibert Lake OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 31 Bait ban 0 or SHL tags 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Sinclair Lake 23-65-5-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 15 fish
70 cm
Skeleton Lake 65-18-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 50-55 1 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm 63-70
cm
Soars Lake 59-1-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 15 fish 10 fish
70 cm
Spencer Lake NOTE: Spencer Lake is located in the Cold Lake Air OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 2 fish 45-50 1 over 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Weapons Range and live ammunition is used in the FROM 1700H FRIDAY TO cm 75 cm
area. Use of the lake by anglers is dependent on 1/2H AFTER SUNSET THE
the approval of the Canadian Forces at the Base. If FOLLOWING SUNDAY
necessary for Base operations, access to Spencer
Lake may be closed during some of the open periods OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 2 fish 45-50 1 over 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
listed above. Due to safety concerns, the Canadian LONG WEEKENDS WITH cm 75 cm
Forces does not permit overland access to Spencer THE HOLIDAY FRIDAY;
Lake on any trails that are inside the Bombing Range 1700H THURSDAY TO
boundary, including the trail between Seibert and 1/2H AFTER SUNSET THE
Spencer lakes. Spencer Lake may only be accessed FOLLOWING SUNDAY
from the west tip of Spencer Lake and it is unlawful to
go ashore inside the bombing range boundary. OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 2 fish 45-50 1 over 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
LONG WEEKENDS WITH cm 75 cm
THE HOLIDAY MONDAY;
1700H FRIDAY TO 1/2H
AFTER SUNSET THE
FOLLOWING MONDAY
OPEN DEC. 24 1700H TO l 2 fish 45-50 1 over 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
1/2H AFTER SUNSET ON cm 75 cm
JAN. 1
Stoney (Siler) Lake 56-8-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish 0 fish
63 cm
Sunday Lake 74-9-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish
Touchwood Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Tucker Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 2 fish 15 fish 10 fish
63-70
cm

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 Unnamed (Brodick) Lake 60-17-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish
63 cm
Unnamed (Island) Lake 57-1-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over
63 cm
Unnamed (Little Perch) Lake 56-9-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over
63 cm
Unnamed (Sowka) Lake 10-18-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 2 fish
Unnamed (Whitemud) Lake 62-19-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 2 fish
Victor Lake 63-14-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over
63 cm
Wayetenaw Lake 61-13-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca

63 cm
Whitefish Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 or SHL tags 0 fish 10 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Whitney Lake 56-4-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 10 fish
63 cm
Wiau Lake 34-73-9-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 15 fish 10 fish
Wolf Lake Complex Includes all lakes within TWP 66, RNG 6 and 7, W4M; OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 31 l 0 or SHL tags 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Includes Wolf, Sapphire, Magician, Corner, Lane lks;
Species limits are combined for all water
Tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 31 l 0 or SHL tags 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 75

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

NB1 - Rivers, Creeks and Streams

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB GOLD MNWH LKTR RNTR
l = Bait
allowed
Athabasca River Mainstem from Sec. Rd. 813 (near Athabasca) and the OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 3 over 50 cm 3 over 63 10 fish 10 fish 5 over
north boundary of Township 78 (near Pelican River) cm 30 cm

76 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

Beaver River Mainstem including tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 to MAR. 31 l 1 over 50 cm 1 over 63 15 fish
cm
La Biche River Between Hwy 63 and Lac La Biche CLOSED ALL YEAR
Lakeland Provincial Park All water within the Provincial Park; Species limits are OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 1 fish 45-50 1 fish 63-70 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
combined for all water cm cm
Martineau River OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 3 over 50 cm 1 over 63 0 fish
cm
Medley River 11-62-2-W4 OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 3 over 50 cm 1 over 63 0 fish 5 fish
cm
Owl River From Lac La Biche upstream to Piche River CLOSED ALL YEAR
From confluence with Piche River upstream to OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 0 fish 3 over 63
headwater cm
Piche River Includes tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 0 fish 3 over 63
cm
Redwater River OPEN MAY 15 to MAR. 31 l 3 over 50 cm
0 within 500 1 over
m of the 63 cm
confluence within 500
with the North m of the
Sask. River confluence
with the
North Sask.
River

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NB2 WATERSHED UNIT REGULATIONS
n The Athabasca River watershed between Sec. Rd. 813 near Athabasca and Sec. Rd. 658 near Whitecourt, including the Lesser Slave
River watershed and the Pembina River watershed upstream to Highway 43 near Sangudo.
BAIT FISHING
l Fishing with Bait in NB2 streams is NOT allowed except at portions of a few rivers under NB2 site specific listing regulations.
l Fishing with Bait in NB2 lakes is allowed, except at lakes listed with Bait Bans under NB2 site specific regulations.
l Fishing with Bait Fish is allowed except at locations listed with Bait Bans under NB2 site specific regulations.

Mainstem of a river: includes the mainstem channel and any side channel, oxbows, riparian flow channels, and plunge pools below spillways.

NB2 Default Sportfishing Regulations

• The names of most NB2 lakes and streams are listed alphabetically in the site specific regulation tables on the following pages.
• Smaller streams may not be listed, but may be included as tributaries to a listed larger stream.
• If a listed waterbody does not have a season listed, it is CLOSED to fishing during that period.
• If a NB2 lake, reservoir, river, stream or species is not listed, follow the default regulations below.
• General regulation stocked trout lakes are listed on page 16.
LAKES • OPEN May 15 to Mar. 31 • CLOSED Apr. 1 to May 14
• Arctic Grayling limit 0
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Northern Pike limit 3 over 63 cm
• Yellow Perch limit 15
• Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Burbot limit 10
• Trout limit 3
• Bait allowed
STREAMS • OPEN June 1 to Oct. 31 • CLOSED Nov. 1 to May 31
• Arctic Grayling limit 0
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Pike limit 3 over 63 cm
• Mountain Whitefish limit 5 over 30 cm
• Yellow Perch limit 15
• Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Burbot limit 10
• Bait Ban

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 77

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

NB2 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB Trout Total
l = Bait
allowed
Baptiste Lake 66-24-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 or SHL 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish
tags
Blue Lake 13-69-17-W5 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 5 trout

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca

Bolloque Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 2 fish 15 fish
Chain (Lower) Lake 69-23-W4 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 RNTR any
size; 0 TGTR;
0 BNTR
Crooked Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 2 fish 15 fish
Dolberg Lake 8-1-60-8-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 1 trout over
50 cm
Fawcett Lake Remainder of the lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 or SHL 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
tags
Portion north and east of a line drawn from the MD boat launch OPEN JULY 1 TO MAR. 1 l 0 or SHL 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
in SE12-73-26-W4 to the point of land in SE11-73-26-W4 tags
including the Mink River, Fawcett (Howard) River, and the areas
locally known as the narrows and east basin
Includes tributaries and outlet for 1 km OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 0 or SHL 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
tags
Francis Lake 18-66-25-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 2 fish 15 fish
Freeman Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish
Tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 TO OCT. 31 l 3 fish
Ghost Lake 16-68-24-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 2 fish 15 fish
Gilroy Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish
Goose Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 63 15 fish
cm
Tributaries and outlet OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 1 over 63 15 fish
cm
Island Lake 67-24-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 45-50 1 fish 63- 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm 70 cm
Includes tributaries and outlet OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 1 fish 45-50 1 fish 63- 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm 70 cm
Jenkins Lake 68-24-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 2 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Includes outlet downstream for 1 km OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 0 fish 2 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Lac La Nonne OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 1 over 63 15 fish 10 fish 2 fish; but limit
cm is 0 from Feb.
1 to Mar. 31
Lawrence Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 fish 15 fish 10 fish
Lesser Slave Lake Portion west of a line drawn from Shaw Point to the point of land OPEN JUNE 16 TO MAR. 1 l 1 fish 45-50 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
in 26-74-14-W5 known as Little Grassy Point, including Buffalo cm
Bay and the Grouard Channel, and their tributaries (except East
Prairie River, South Heart River and Traverse Creek)
Remainder of the lake to the outlet (Lesser Slave River) OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 fish 45-50 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 79

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

NB2 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB Trout Total
l = Bait
allowed
Lily Lake 7-75-5-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 BKTR; 0

80 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

TGTR
Long Island Lake 24-63-26-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 63 15 fish
cm
Long Lake 36-64-25-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 15 fish
Meyer Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 2 fish 15 fish
Mitsue Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 2 over 63 0 fish
cm
Narrow Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish
Orloff Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 50 cm 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Tributaries and outlet OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 1 over 50 cm 0 fish
Paul Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 1 over 70
cm
Schuman Lake 35-61-8-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 5 RNTR; 0
TGTR
Steele (Cross) Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 fish 15 fish
Thunder Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish
Whiteridge Recreation Area SW-01-60-10-W5 OPEN MAY 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 1 trout over
Pond (Blueridge Pit) 40 cm
Winagami Lake Includes Boone's Slough and South Heart Reservoir OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 55 cm 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Tributaries, inlet canal, outlet stream, and outlet canal OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 1 over 55 cm 0 fish 10 fish 10 fish

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 NB2 - Rivers, Creeks and Streams
Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB GOLD MNWH Trout
Total
Athabasca River Mainstem between Sec. Rd. 658 (near Whitecourt) OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed in 3 over 3 over 10 fish 10 fish 5 over
downstream to Sec. Rd. 813 (near Athabasca) river only 50 cm 63 cm 30 cm
Freeman River Mainstem includes tributaries OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 over 3 fish 0 fish 0 trout
50 cm
Pembina River Downstream of Hwy. 43 (near Sandugo) OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed in 3 over 3 over 10 fish 10 fish 5 over
river only 50 cm 63 cm 30 cm
South Heart River Portion between the South Heart Reservoir and the OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed 1 fish 0 fish
West Prairie River 45-50
cm

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca

Portion from the confluence with the West Prairie OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed 1 fish 0 fish
River downstream to Buffalo Bay and tributaries 45-50
cm
East Prairie R., Strawberry OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed 1 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Ck., Travers Ck., West 45-50
Prairie R. cm
Lesser Slave River and Includes Lesser Slave River mainstem and tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed 1 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish 5 over
tributaries to Lesser Slave and all tributaries to Lesser Slave Lake including 45-50 30 cm
Lake Driftpile R., Sucker Ck., Arcadia Ck., Swan R., cm
Assineau R., Marten R., Salteaux R., Sawridge Ck.,
Otauwau R., and Fawcett R. downstream of Fawcett
Lake.

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 81

NB3 WATERSHED UNIT REGULATIONS
n The Peace River watershed, including the Wabasca and Birch rivers, the Hay River and Petitot River watersheds, and the Fontas River,
Yates River, Whitesand River and Buffalo River watersheds.
BAIT FISHING
l Fishing with Bait in NB3 streams is NOT allowed except at portions of a few rivers under NB3 site specific listing regulations.
l Fishing with Bait in NB3 lakes is allowed, except at lakes listed with Bait Bans under NB3 site specific regulations.
l Fishing with Bait Fish is allowed except at locations listed with Bait Bans under NB3 site specific regulations.

Mainstem of a river: includes the mainstem channel and any side channel, oxbows, riparian flow channels, and plunge pools below spillways.
NB3 Default Sportfishing Regulations
• The names of most NB3 lakes and streams are listed alphabetically in the site specific regulation tables on the following pages.
• Smaller streams may not be listed, but may be included as tributaries to a listed larger stream.
• If a listed waterbody does not have a season listed, it is CLOSED to fishing during that period.
• If a NB3 lake, reservoir, river, stream or species is not listed, follow the default regulations below.
• General regulation stocked trout lakes are listed on page 16.
LAKES • OPEN May 15 to Mar. 31 • CLOSED Apr. 1 to May 14
• Lakes, reservoirs and ponds located north of
township 104 are OPEN all year
• Arctic Grayling limit 0
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Northern Pike limit 3 over 63 cm
• Yellow Perch limit 15
• Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Burbot limit 10
• Trout limit 3
• Bait allowed
STREAMS • OPEN June 1 to Oct. 31 • CLOSED Nov. 1 to May 31
• Arctic Grayling limit 0
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Pike limit 3 over 63 cm
• Mountain Whitefish limit 5 over 30 cm
• Yellow Perch limit 15
• Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Burbot limit 10
• Bait Ban

82 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

NB3 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB LKTR Trout
l = Bait Total
allowed
Albright Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish

84 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

Beatty Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm

Tributaries and outlet OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm

Berry Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 15 fish

Bistcho Lake The bay north of Kirkness Island; the portion of lake northerly OPEN JULY 1 TO MAR. 1 l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish
of a line drawn from the southernmost tip of the point of land
in SE31-124-5-W6 southeasterly to the westernmost tip of
the point of land in SW28-124-5-W6 on Kirkness Island, and
northerly of a line drawn from the easternmost tip of the point
of land in SW27-124-5-W6 on Kirkness Island northeasterly
to the southernmost tip of the point of land in SW35-124-
5-W6
Remainder of the lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish

Brintnell Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 15 fish 0 fish

Cadotte Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish

Calder Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 15 fish

Caribou Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish 1 fish

Equisetum Lake Tributaries and outlet OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

Fish (Jackfish) Lake 76-11-W6 OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 15 fish

Gods Lake 90-02-W5 OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 1 over 100 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm
Tributaries and outlet OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 0 fish 1 over 100 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm
Goodfish Lake 89-5-W5 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

Graham (Trout) Lake 87-4-W5 OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish 0 fish

Tributaries and outlet downstream to Maria Lake OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish 0 fish

Haig Lake OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 50 cm 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 3 fish

Tributaries and outlet for 1 km OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 1 over 50 cm 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 3 fish

Hebephrenic (Jackfish) Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 50 cm 2 over 70 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

Tributaries and outlet for 1 km OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 3 over 50 cm 2 over 70 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

Hutch Lake Includes tributaries OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 50 cm 1 over 63 cm 0 fish

Joker Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 1 fish 1 fish 15 fish

Legend Lake 12-7-97-18-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 75 cm 10 fish

Little Sandy Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 0 fish

Tributaries and outlet for 1 km OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 0 fish

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 NB3 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds
Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB LKTR Trout
l = Bait Total
allowed
Long Lake Peerless Lake area; 89-5-W5 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

Peerless Lake area; Tributaries and outlet for 1 km OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

Long Lake Second Last Lake; 90-2-W5 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 50 cm 2 over 70 cm 15 fish 10 fish

Margaret Lake OPEN ALL YEAR 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish 1 fish

Mink Lake #1 17-82-11-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 55 cm 5 fish

Mistehae Lake 80-2-W5 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 70 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca

Muskwa Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish

Nipisi Lake 13-23-78-7-W5 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 1 over 75 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

North Wabasca Lake Portion south of a line drawn from the northern boundary of OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 1 l 1 over 50 cm 1 over 75 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Wabasca Reserve 166b in NW 35-80-26-W4 to the point of
land in the east half of NE 31-80-25-W4, which includes the
mouth of the Willow River and channel of the Wabasca River
Remainder of the lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 50 cm 1 over 75 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

Pastecho Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish 15 fish 0 fish

Peerless Lake OPEN APR. 1 TO MAY 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish 0 fish

OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish 1 fish

Tributaries and outlet OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish 1 fish

Pitchimi Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish 1 fish

Rainbow Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 0 fish 0 fish 10 fish

Round Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 50 cm 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

Tributaries and outlet OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 1 over 50 cm 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

Sandy Lake Portion north of a line drawn from the point of land on the OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 1 l 0 fish 1 over 75 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
west shore in the SE half of 19-79-22-W4 to the point of land
on the east shore in the SW half of 21-79-22-W4
Portion south of a line drawn from the point of land on the OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 1 l 0 fish 1 over 75 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
west shore in the SW half of 5-79-22-W4 to the point of land
on the east shore in the SW half of 3-79-22-W4
Remainder of the lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 1 over 75 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

Tributaries and outlet OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 0 fish 1 over 75 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

Sawn Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 2 fish; 1 15 fish

under 63 cm
and 1 over
100 cm
Semo Lake OPEN ALL YEAR 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 1 fish

South Wabasca Lake Portion north of a line drawn from the southernmost point of OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 1 l 1 over 50 cm 1 over 75 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
land in E1/2 13-80-25-W4 to the point of land in the SW 15-
80-25-W4, which includes the channel of the Wabasca River
Portion south and west of a line drawn from the easternmost OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 1 l 1 over 50 cm 1 over 75 cm 15 fish 0 fish 10 fish
point of land in SE 31-79-24-W4 to the point of land in NW
27-79-24-W4
Remainder of the lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 50 cm 1 over 75 cm 15 fish 0 fish 10 fish

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 85

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

NB3 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB LKTR Trout
l = Bait Total
allowed
Spawn Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish

86 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

Tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish

Talbot Lake Includes tributaries OPEN ALL YEAR l 1 over 70 cm 15 fish

Thurston Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 1 fish 50-55 1 fish 65-80 10 fish 10 fish
cm cm
Tributaries and outlet for 1 km OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 1 fish 50-55 1 fish 65-80 10 fish 10 fish
cm cm
Twin Lakes 29-97-22-W5 OPEN ALL YEAR l 5 trout;
only 2
TGTR
over 35
cm
Unnamed Artisinn Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 2 fish 15 fish

Utikuma Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 2 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

Utikumasis Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 50 cm 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

Vandersteene Lake OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

Tributaries and outlet OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 0 fish 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

Wadlin Lake OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 31 l 0 or SHL tags 0 fish 5 fish 10 fish 3 fish

Tributaries and outlet for 1 km OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 l 0 or SHL tags 0 fish 5 fish 10 fish 3 fish

Wentzel Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish 1 fish

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 NB3 - Rivers, Creeks and Streams
Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK LKWH BURB GOLD MNWH
l = Bait ban
Chinchaga River Mainstem including tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed in 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 10 fish
river only cm
Hay River Mainstem including tributaries except Chinchaga OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed in 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 10 fish
River river only cm
Loon River Mainstem including tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed 1 over 50 cm 2 over 63 10 fish
in river only cm
downstream of
Loon Lake
Mikkwa River OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed in 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 10 fish
river only cm

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca

Muskwa River Mainstem including tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed 1 over 50 cm 2 over 63 10 fish
cm
Nipisi River Mainstem including tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed 1 over 50 cm 2 over 63 10 fish
cm
Notikewin River Mainstem including tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 10 fish
in river cm
downstream of
hwy. 35 only
Peace River Mainstem OPEN APR. 1 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed in 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 10 fish 10 fish 5 over 30
river only cm cm
Tributaries to the Peace River except Mikkwa, Smoky, OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 10 fish 10 fish 5 over 30
Notikewin and Wabasca river drainages cm cm
Petitot River Mainstem including tributaries upstream to Spawn OPEN JULY 1 to OCT. 31 l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 10 fish
Lake cm
Smoky River Mainstem downstream of the 21st Base Line OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed 3 over 50 cm 3 over 63 10 fish 5 over 30
cm cm
Wabasca River Portion downstream of Sandy Lake to South OPEN JUNE 1 to MAR. 1 Bait allowed in 1 over 50 cm 1 over 75 10 fish 10 fish
Wabasca Lake and the portion between South and river only cm
North Wabasca lakes
Portion downstream of North Wabasca Lake to South OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait allowed in 1 over 50 cm 2 over 63 10 fish 10 fish
Wabasca Lake and tributaries except the Loon, river only cm
Muskwa and Nipisi Rivers

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 87

NB4 WATERSHED UNIT REGULATIONS
n The Athabasca River watershed downstream of the north boundary of Township 78 (near Pelican River), including the Clearwater River
and Christina River watersheds, and the Slave River and Lake Athabasca watersheds, including the lakes and streams north of Lake
Athabasca.
BAIT FISHING
l Fishing with Bait, including Bait Fish, in NB4 lakes and streams is allowed except at locations with Bait Bans listed under site specific
regulations.

Mainstem of a river: includes the mainstem channel and any side channel, oxbows, riparian flow channels, and plunge pools below spillways.

NB4 Default Sportfishing Regulations

• The names of most NB4 lakes and streams are listed alphabetically in the site specific regulation tables on the following pages.
• Smaller streams may not be listed, but may be included as tributaries to a listed larger stream.
• If a listed waterbody does not have a season listed, it is CLOSED to fishing during that period.
• If a NB4 lake, reservoir, river, stream or species is not listed, follow the default regulations below.
• General regulation stocked trout lakes are listed on page 16.
LAKES • OPEN May 15 to Mar. 31 • CLOSED Apr. 1 to May 14
• Arctic Grayling limit 0
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Northern Pike limit 3 over 63 cm
• Yellow Perch limit 15
• Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Burbot limit 10
• Trout limit 3
• Bait allowed
STREAMS • OPEN June 1 to Oct. 31 • CLOSED Nov. 1 to May 31
• Arctic Grayling limit 0
• Walleye limit 3 over 50 cm
• Northern Pike limit 3 over 63 cm
• Mountain Whitefish limit 5 over 30 cm
• Yellow Perch limit 15
• Lake Whitefish limit 10
• Burbot limit 10
• Bait allowed

88 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

NB4 - Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB LKTR GOLD CISC
l = Bait
allowed
Alexander Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm
Andrew Lake OPEN ALL YEAR Bait ban 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish 3 fish

90 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

Arch Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm
Ashton Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 10 fish
Barrow Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 43 cm 1 over 63 cm 10 fish 0 fish
Base Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish
Bayonet Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 3 fish
Big Island Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 10 fish
Blanche Lake Includes outlet OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 3 fish
Bocquene Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish
Bryant Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish
Burstall Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 3 fish
Charles Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 3 fish
Cherry Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 3 fish
Christina Lake Portion locally known as Sawbones Bay (2-77-6-W4) OPEN JUNE 1 TO MAR. 15 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Remainder of lake. For flowing water refer to Christina OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Lake Tributaries and Outflows.
Cockscomb Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish
Colin Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 3 fish
Collins Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 3 fish
Cornwall Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 3 fish
Cowper Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 63 cm 5 fish; only
1 over 30
cm
Daly Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish
Darwin Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish
Dawson Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 3 fish
Disappointment Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish
Ells Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm
Fletcher Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish
Florence Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 3 fish
Gardiner Lakes Moose Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Moose Lake; Tributaries and outlet for 1 km OPEN JUNE 1 TO OCT. 31 Bait ban 0 fish 0 fish
Gipsy Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 1 under 70 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
cm
Glover (Birch) Lake 79-5-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Gregoire (Willow) Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 or SHL tags 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish

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 Grist Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 10 fish 1 fish
60-70
cm
Hooker Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm
Kimowin (Hook) Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 fish 5 fish; only
1 over 30
cm
Kirby (Sterner) Lake 75-5-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish
Lake Athabasca OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish 3 fish 10 fish
Leggo Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 3 fish
Leland Lakes OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 3 fish

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca

Limon Lake Includes outlet OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm 15 fish
Loutit Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish
Mcclelland Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 3 fish
Mercredi Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 3 fish
Myers Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish
Namur Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait ban 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish 2 over
65 cm
One Week Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish
Pans Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 fish
Peters Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish
Potts Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 3 fish
Richardson Backcountry All water within area between Twp. 103 and 107, OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 50 cm 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
and Rge 01-W4 and Rge 08-W4; Locally known as
Richardson Backcountry
Richardson Lake Includes outlet (Jackfish Channel) OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm 15 fish
Roderick Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish
Royemma Lake 75-1-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish
Ryan Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 43 cm 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish
St. Agnes Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 3 fish
Steepbank Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 1 over 70 cm 15 fish
Treasure Loch Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 10 fish
Tulip Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 3 fish
Turtle Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm
Wappau Lake 14-75-11-W4 OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 l 2 fish 15 fish
Weekes Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 2 over 63 cm 3 fish
Winefred Lake For lake only. For flowing water see Winefred Lake OPEN MAY 15 TO MAR. 31 Bait ban 1 fish 45-50 cm 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Tributaries and Outflows.
Winnifred Lake 118-3-W4 OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 10 fish
Woodman Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 10 fish
Wylie Lake OPEN ALL YEAR l 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 3 fish

2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 91

 Legend: As examples, ‘3 over 63 cm’ indicates a possession and size limit of ‘3 fish each over 63 cm’ or ‘10 fish’ indicates a possession limit of 10 for that species of any size. An empty cell indicates the
species is not likely present at that waterbody; however, if caught the default regulations for the Watershed Unit apply. SHL=Special Harvest Licence, BKTR = Brook Trout, BNTR=Brown Trout,
BURB = Burbot, CISC = Cisco, CTTR = Cutthroat Trout, DLVR = Dolly Varden, GOLD = Goldeye, LKTR = Lake Trout, LKWH = Lake Whitefish, MNWH = Mountain Whitefish, NRPK = Northern Pike,
RNTR = Rainbow Trout, SAUG = Sauger, TGTR = Tiger Trout, WALL = Walleye, YLPR = Yellow Perch. Regulation changes are highlighted blue. Waterbodies closed to angling are highlighted grey.

NB4 - Rivers, Creeks and Streams

Waterbody Waterbody Detail Season Bait WALL NRPK YLPR LKWH BURB GOLD MNWH
l = Bait
allowed
Athabasca River Mainstem north of the north boundary of TWP78 (Near OPEN APR. 1 to MAY 31 l 0 fish 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish 5 over

92 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide

Pelican River). For area south of this, see Athabasca 30 cm
Mainstem in NB1 Rivers, Creeks and Streams
Mainstem north of the north boundary of TWP78 (Near OPEN JUNE 1 to MAR. 31 l 3 over 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish 5 over
Pelican River). For area south of this, see Athabasca 43 cm 30 cm
Mainstem in NB1 Rivers, Creeks and Streams
Tributaries except Clearwater and Hangingstone rivers OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 3 over 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish 10 fish 5 over
43 cm 30 cm
Birch Creek Beyond 10 km of Christina Lake OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 0 fish 3 over 63 cm
Christina Lake Tributaries and Includes all named and unnamed tributaries and outflows OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 0 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Outflows within 10km of Christina Lake including Jackfish River,
Birch, Sawbones, Sunday and Monday Creeks. Excludes
the Christina River
Clearwater River Snye Channel OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 3 over 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish 5 over
43 cm 30 cm
Mainstem including tributaries; the portion upstream of the OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 3 over 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 5 over
Christina River 50 cm 30 cm
Mainstem including tributaries; the portion downstream of OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 3 over 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish 5 over
the Christina River 43 cm 30 cm
Ells River 96-11-W4 OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 3 over 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish 5 over
50 cm 30 cm
Hangingstone River OPEN JUNE 16 to OCT. 31 l 3 over 63 cm
House River Mainstem including tributaries OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 3 over 3 over 63 cm
50 cm
Monday Creek Beyond 10 km of Christina Lake OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 0 fish 3 over 63 cm
Richardson Backcountry All water within area between Twp. 103 and 107, and Rge OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 1 over 3 over 63 cm 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
01-W4 and Rge 08-W4; Locally known as Richardson 50 cm
Backcountry
Richardson River OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 3 over 3 over 63 cm 10 fish 10 fish 10 fish 5 over
43 cm 30 cm
Sunday Creek Beyond 10 km of Christina Lake OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 l 0 fish 3 over 63 cm
Winefred Lake Tributaries and Includes all named and unnamed tributaries and outflows OPEN JUNE 1 to OCT. 31 Bait ban 1 fish 0 fish 15 fish 10 fish 10 fish
Outflows within 10km of Winefred Lake including Winefred River, 45-50
(Unnamed) Sand River and Grist River cm

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 by Fred Noddin

o you think we’ll catch something?” I ask my kids, Cedar, Fraser and Rose, as we walk
down a well-worn path to the river.
“Yes,” Cedar says in the affirmative, adding, “I bet we will catch at least five fish.”
Fraser is equally enthusiastic. He races ahead to greet the water and start his all-
important rock tossing. To him, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as tossing rocks in the water.
One-hundred metres down the shore is a pool. Not large by any standard, but it’s large enough.
“This will do perfectly,” I say to my wife Mel.
We pop up camp chairs, set out snacks, and release the children, who race off in all directions. The
day’s adventure is underway.
I put a worm on a hook and pinch on a large split-shot a couple feet up the line. This is our standard
river rig. I toss the bait in and just like that, we are fishing. I do the same for a second rod and then I
stick the rods in their rod holders and settle in. It takes no time before the closest rod starts bouncing.

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 93

 “A common river fish.
This is a male goldeye.”

them for always being there, ready to bite.

Before we can get the line rebaited
the other rod goes off. Fraser is on it,
and immediately there is splashing. I’m
“Creamy gold scales and a deep red tail, the shorthead redhorse is a river favourite.”
thinking goldeye or mooneye, but the
fish has some real heft and holds its own,
“Fish on!” I yell, and Cedar and Fraser revealed—it’s a large longnose sucker. keeping to the deeper water by the current.
come running. Cedar is first on the rod, “It’s a beauty,” I say. It races around fast and then there is a flash
which strains under good weight. The fish Cedar gently cradles her prize and lifts of scarlet red.
has some jam and pulls line. I look to where it up for a picture. The fish though, has “Yes! Awesome!” I say aloud. The red
the line meets the water and can see the fish other ideas and starts wiggling side to tail is a dead giveaway and represents one
racing back and forth, having its way with side while in Cedar’s hands, causing all of my favourite river fish. As the fish gets
things for the moment. of us to laugh. close, I can see its large creamy, golden
“This fish has some shoulders,” I say to “Thank you for biting,” she says, and scales and a stunning deep red tail.
Cedar. places the sucker into the water where it “You’ve got a red horse, you’ve got a
With so many different fish species quietly swims away. redhorse!” I say excitedly.
swimming in the water it’s anyone’s guess Suckers get big, will pull hard, and give Some call them northern redhorse, others
what it is, but my money is on some sort of you a real tussle. The big ones remind me call them shorthead redhorse; regardless,
sucker. With the line close, the mystery is of footballs and I respect the heck out of they’re the same fish.
Fraser steers the redhorse shallow and I
wade into the ankle deep water and pick
up our trophy. It’s a beauty. I laugh to
myself, thinking, “We haven’t even been
fishing 10 minutes.”
The redhorse attracts the attention of
onlookers and Cedar happily fills them in
with cool details. She tells them about the
fish, about other species we catch, and what
we use to catch them. She loves public
engagement and is a great ambassador for
the sport. Fraser is right on the thick of it,
and happily injects colour commentary to
Cedar’s stories, adding that not only did he
catch this redhorse, but he caught a rare,
silver redhorse on another trip.
While my little ones are busy, I cast out
our lines and within minutes the far rod
starts bouncing and shaking. Before we
even get to it, there is all kinds of splashing
and a flash of silver.
“It’s a goldeye!” Cedar says excitedly, and
starts reeling it in. Sure enough, she’s bang
on and in comes a mint silver goldeye.
With that catch, we set off a goldeye
94 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800
parade and catch another five or six in a
row. They are all about the same size, 14 “With a mostly silver and grey eye with just a hint of gold, this river fish is a mooneye.”
to 16 inches and scrappy. Fraser and Cedar
take turns reeling in fish and letting them
go. They can even tell if the goldeye are and if you are me, there will be happy with rocks. Rivers are a hub for adventure.
boys or girls by looking at the anal fin. If children laughing and playing nearby. They bustle with life, including a great
the outside edge of the fin bulges out, it’s a I love river time. It’s a complete variety of fish, making for a perfect trip
boy; if it curves in, it’s a girl. mystery what will happen, or what we outdoors with a rod and reel.
The next bite though initially looks like will catch. On hot summer days, there’s Grab your family, grab your friends, and
a goldeye, but it’s not quite as big, and it lots of time for splashing about, critter have a great time, home on the river. l
doesn’t have the “gold” eye. Instead, the chasing, and the all-important playing
eye is more silver and grey, rather than all
gold. This fish looks different, and it is. We
caught ourselves a mooneye. The mooneye
though, seems to signal the end of the bite
for a little while.
With Cedar chasing frogs, Fraser
building rock towers, and Rose eating all
of our snacks, life is pretty sweet. We get
another bite and with the kids happy and
playing, Mom reels it in. To our surprise,
it’s a small walleye. That’s five fish
species in an afternoon.
For the rest of the day time passes with
ease and we enjoy the moment playing
with our children and catching fish. Most
catches are goldeye, but we do land
another redhorse.
On the drive home we have sleepy, happy,
wet children. It’s been a great day.
“I have another spot I’d like to try,” I say
to the kids. Do you want to head back to the
river next weekend? There is a resounding
“Yes,” by all three of them, and shortly they
are fast asleep.
Few things give me the sort of peace I
get by casting out some bait, sticking a rod
into a rod holder, and sitting on a riverbank
letting time pass by. This is simple living
with the sounds of chickadees in nearby
branches, ducks or geese flying overhead
and, as evening approaches, the slap and
splash of a testy beaver. There are limitless
beaches and gravelly shores to explore
For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 95
 by Kevin Wilson

hanks to our inimitable diversity in lakes, rivers and streams, Alberta anglers can fish
for a remarkable roster of native species. If you want to catch the Alberta Slam of
indigenous fish, you’ll be wetting a line in many of our province’s Fish Management
Areas (FMAs). The Alberta Guide to Sportfishing Regulations lists a total of 19
sportfish, of which 15 are native, and four are introduced to enhance angling opportunities.
Following is a speed-dating overview of each species and where you might begin your search.

96 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800

 Northern pike, walleye, yellow perch
and burbot are the most abundant and
widespread native fish species in our
province’s boreal, parkland, prairie, and
to some extent, foothills FMAs. Where
you find one of these species, you’ll often
find the other three. With mouths full of
teeth, pike and walleye are predatory.
Both species offer exceptional angling
opportunities during both open water
and ice fishing seasons. By comparison,
relatively few burbot are caught during
summer months, mostly because they’re
more widely dispersed at this time of the “Lake whitefish are a favourite with Alberta anglers, especially during the winter season.”
year. With mid-winter spawning, many
burbot are iced from January through Lac La Biche, Pinehurst, Pigeon, Lac St. anglers. Lake whites are prolific in many
March. Perch, of course, maintain a podium Anne, and Sylvan. Southern reservoirs of our lakes throughout the province and,
position as Alberta’s notable panfish. like Travers and Newell Lake have great often share the same water with pike,
Typically swimming in schools, when you pike, walleye and perch fishing, but no walleye, perch and burbot. While they
catch one, there are usually others nearby. recognized burbot populations. offer a great sportfishing opportunity
A great target species for anglers of all during the open-water seasons, lake
ages, year-round they offer great action whitefish really shine as a target species
and table fare. With many remote lakes to Lake whitefish and mountain whitefish with ice anglers during the winter months.
choose from, accessible fisheries include are plentiful and commonly targeted by Snipe Lake, Gregg Lake, Wabamun,

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 in the Athabasca River drainage from
the south slope of the Swan Hills to the
headwaters of the Athabasca River in
Jasper National Park.
Lake trout and bull trout are Alberta’s
only native char species. Lake trout thrive
in a relatively short list of deep, cool lakes
from north to south in Alberta. To try your
hand at lakers, don’t overlook Cold Lake,
Peerless, Minnewanka, and Waterton Lake
as a few of Alberta’s premier lake trout
fisheries. While some lake trout are caught
in some of our river systems like the
Oldman, this native species is best targeted
in our lakes.
“Bull trout are listed as a Threatened Species, so they have a zero-possession limit across Alberta.” Especially vulnerable due to its
reputation as a voracious feeder, bull
trout are listed as a Threatened Species
Pigeon, Sylvan, and again southern so they have a zero-possession limit
reservoirs like Crawling Valley are higher Alberta’s native trout species include across the province. If you catch a bull
odds fisheries for whites. the Westslope cutthroat and Athabasca trout, you must release it. As far as
By description, Rocky Mountain whitefish rainbow. All other cutthroat and rainbow species identification goes, remember,
are typically smaller than their lake-dwelling subspecies are stocked. Alberta’s “no black, put it back”, as bull trout are
cousins. An abundant native species, they Westslope cutts are native to the Bow void of black markings. Bulls are found
can be targeted specifically, but they’re and South Saskatchewan rivers, North in many mainstem rivers and tributaries,
often caught incidentally when fishing for Saskatchewan and Red Deer River and are most abundant in the western
trout or grayling, particularly in the upper- drainages. Due to stocking programs FMAs. Well-known mainstem rivers like
and mid-reaches of many mainstem rivers and recognized hybridization with native the Kakwa, Peace, Athabasca, Clearwater
and tributary systems in eastern slope and Athabasca rainbow trout, it’s generally and Oldman are solid choices for
northern boreal FMAs. Among many others, recognized that true native populations targeting bull trout.
the Red Deer River, Clearwater, Bow, and of Westslope cutthroat trout are limited.
Highwood River hold decent populations of Several native populations of Athabasca
Rocky Mountain whitefish. rainbow trout are thought to be healthy Arctic grayling is another of Alberta’s
gems. Best known for their oversized,
broad dorsal fin, grayling are found in
many northern lakes, streams and rivers
but mostly in the boreal forest and eastern
foothills FMAs. Often eager to strike at
a flashy spinner or spoon, grayling are
also an ideal species to fish with a nymph
or floating fly. Often found in the same
streams and rivers as several trout species,
they can also be caught in select mountain,
foothill, and boreal lakes as well.
Mainstem rivers and tributaries in FMAs
8 and 9 like the Peace, Athabasca River,
Lesser Slave, Swan, and Freeman River,
are all good bets for this unique species.

Contrary to its name, Alberta’s lake

sturgeon don’t inhabit any of our lakes.
While sturgeon have been caught on the
lower portions of the Clearwater River, if
you want to catch a sturgeon, you’re better
off on the lower portions of the North and
South Saskatchewan rivers, or the lower
Red Deer, Oldman, or Bow. Listed as a
98 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800
 Threatened Species, all sturgeon catches in
this province fall under catch-and-release
regulations only—in other words, there is
a zero-possession limit.

Looking somewhat similar in

appearance to walleye, sauger are
noticeably smaller. Once you see them,
it’s easy to differentiate between the
two. A river-dwelling species, sauger are
typically a bit darker in colour (usually
a pale brown), with a somewhat blotchy
appearance. River anglers on lower
reaches of the North Saskatchewan, South
Saskatchewan, Red Deer. Oldman, St. “Lake Sturgeon are listed as a Threatened Species. All sturgeon catches in this province fall under
Mary, and Milk rivers will catch a sauger catch-and-release regulations only. Anglers are encouraged to handle these fish with care.”
now and then, as they target other species
like walleye and pike. anglers as well. These are namely the To learn more about Alberta’s fish
shorthead redhorse, goldeye, mooneye, species, I recommend picking up a book
longnose sucker, white sucker, quillback called The Fishes of Alberta by Joseph F.
Unique to prairie Fish Management and silver redhorse. Goldeye do inhabit Nelson and Martin J. Paetz. It’s a great
Areas (FMAs) and found mostly in the a number of our northern fisheries like resource, and provides comprehensive
North Saskatchewan and some species in Christina Lake and Lake Athabasca in biological information. Similarly, consider
the South Saskatchewan River systems, FMA 10, but they are not generally a getting Fish of the Rockies, by Michael
a host of other native fish are targeted by species targeted by lake anglers. Sullivan, David Propst, and Bill Gould. l

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide - 99

100 - 2023 Alberta Sportfishing Guide Report-A-Poacher – Dial Toll-Free – 1-800-642-3800
 “Watch for signs like this to
let you know when you’re
in sensitive fish habitat.”

adapted from Alberta Conservation Association “Conservation” magazine.

ealthy native trout our province’s native fish populations. well as watershed planning.
populations signify several The main threats aren’t small issues: These partner organizations include:
things we should all care habitat fragmentation and loss,
about: clean water, poaching, improper fish handling during l Alberta Conservation Association
wilderness, healthy ecosystems, and good catch-and-release, and hybridization l Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
recreational opportunities. and competition with non-native trout. l Cows and Fish
Unfortunately, Alberta’s native trout To address these complex challenges, l Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
are in trouble, and have been for a while. Alberta Environment and Protected l Foothills Research Institute
That’s where the Native Trout Recovery Areas has teamed up with partner l Trout Unlimited Canada
Program comes in. It focuses on Alberta’s organizations that have expertise in fish l Watershed planning and advisory
eastern slopes and is working to protect habitat protection and restoration, as councils

For fishing information visit mywildalberta.ca 101

 – photo Alberta Conservation Association
“Remember – No Black, Put it Back! Bull trout have no black spots or markings on their dorsal fin.”

The organizations all work together to Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) – have large head and jaw (“bull-like”).
maintain and improve natural watershed Threatened l They’ve been documented with
functions to support native trout species. l Bull trout have no black spots or porcupine quills stuck in their snout! As a
For more information, search “native markings on their dorsal fin. Repeat after top predator, the species has been called
trout” on www.alberta.ca. us: “No black? Put it back!” They also the grizzly bear of the water—just as
ferocious, only torpedo-shaped with fins
and gills.
l Bull trout used to be common, but
now abundance and distribution within
their range has been reduced. They are
extremely sensitive to human disturbance.

Westslope Cutthroat Trout

(Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) –
Threatened
l The only subspecies of cutthroat trout
native to Alberta, these fish historically
inhabited most streams in southwestern
Alberta from the alpine to the prairies.
Today, they occupy only a small fraction
of their historic range in the Rocky
Mountains and foothills.
l Non-native rainbow trout were
introduced to many westslope cutthroat
trout streams in Alberta in the early 1900s.
The two species interbreed, creating whole
populations of hybrid fish and decimating
genetically pure populations of westslope
cutthroat trout in the process.
l Bright orange-red slashes beneath their
lower jaw is the surest way to identify
them.

Athabasca Rainbow Trout

(Oncorhynchus mykiss) – Endangered
l These are considered a unique “ecotype,”
meaning they are a distinct form of the

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 – photo Alberta Conservation Association
“Westslope cutthroat trout have bright orange-red slashes beneath their lower jaw.”

rainbow trout species, adapted specifically populations remain in isolated creeks, essential. Poorly installed crossings like
to rivers and streams of the upper but no longer exist within an entire culverts and bridges block upstream fish
Athabasca watershed in west-central watershed. passage.
Alberta.
l Juvenile and often adult Athabasca Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus) Can I Help? YES!
rainbow trout have oval blueish grey – Special Concern Learn to identify these fish and other
“parr” marks along their sides. Known l Arctic grayling (part of the trout sportfish in Alberta by taking AHEIA’s
as “cryptic colouration” in the biology family) occur the waters of the boreal FREE Identification of Alberta’s Game
world, this likely helps the fish blend in forest and northern foothills. Fish Quiz (AHEIA.com).
better with the gravel, boulder, and cobble l Their colourful dorsal fin is much Catch and release fish safely – read our
streambeds in the small, cold headwater larger than that of any other coldwater helpful tips at mywildalberta.ca. And
streams they prefer. fish, making identification a breeze. though quadding is fun for us, it’s not fun
l Athabasca rainbow trout have shown The top of the dorsal fin is rounded, and for fish.
severe declines from historical abundances. grayling sport large scales with brown or Avoid quadding in waterbodies and along
l As of 2017, all Athabasca rainbow trout black spots on the body behind the head. shorelines—this can cause silt to enter
watersheds were assessed as either low or l Grayling are highly migratory, so rivers and streams, smothering fish eggs
very low abundance of adult fish. Healthy connected streams and rivers are and aquatic insects that feed fish. l

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