25 of the Best Places to Fish in Alberta

Alberta is an exciting province to fish, especially if you’re a trout enthusiast. There are a ton of lakes and rivers in the province that boast excellent trout fisheries. Even if you can’t catch a monster-sized trout, it’s still a lot of fun to get out and practice different angling methods like fly fishing. If you’ve never tried fishing a major river, it’s a must.

Burbot fishing is equally as exciting as trout fishing for many people, and the province is filled with bodies of water that have great burbot populations. Of course, pike and walleye fishing is great in most places as well.

If you are looking for fishing with kids, check out shore fishing options at ponds like Mitchelle Pond in Red Deer and other smaller lakes. Alberta Conservation Association and Alberta Environment and Parks have stocked waterbodies across the province to create over 240 different fishing opportunities. – Map

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1. Northern Alberta

1. Pinehurst Lake

Located 245km northeast of Edmonton, Pinehurst Lake is a local favourite for anglers. If you want to extend your stay and try your luck angling for more than a day, there is a campground on the Lake, Pinehurst Lake Forest Recreation Area, with sixty-five campsites, a beach, and a boat launch. Pike, walleye, and perch are the most common species in the lake.
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2. Little Bear Lake

Located about twenty minutes from Cold Lake, Little Bear Lake is one of those smaller, less-trafficked gems. Hands down, the most popular fish in the lake is the rainbow trout that hides in the tranquil waters. Tiger trout and other species have also been caught. Cast, jig, or give fly fishing a try.
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3. Marie Lake

Marie Lake is located about 300km northeast of Edmonton. This northern lake is truly pristine and unspoiled, with beautiful, crystal clear water. The lake is also known for its spectacular beaches, so if you want to come for a getaway, there is so much more to do than just fishing. Of course, you’ll be able to see these beaches from the lake as well, if you bring your own boat. Pike, perch, walleye, and whitefish can all be caught in the lake.
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4. Siebert Lake

Siebert Lake features so much more than just angling. The lake is a beautiful place to explore and an exciting place to fish, but you can also plan a stay at the Siebert Lake Campground in the Lakeland Provincial Recreation Area. Located 265km northeast of Edmonton, Siebert Lake is yet another northern gem that features unspoiled wilderness and clear waters. The pike fishing in this lake is legendary, as it has produced some quality-sized fish. The lake is a Trophy Lake, so you will need a special license to fish it in addition to a regular fishing license.
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5. Cold Lake

Located in the northeastern part of the province, Cold Lake is an angler’s paradise. The lake has produced some good-sized fish in the past, and is a great sport fishing destination. There are also a wide variety of species found in the lake, which is sure to delight anglers of all ages and skill levels. Lake trout, burbot, pike, perch, walleye, and whitefish can all be caught, so come try your luck.
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6. Lac La Biche

Lac La Biche is located two and a half hours northeast of Edmonton. The lake is large, at 236 sq km. The lake is an exciting place to fish and has been known to produce some real quality-sized fish. Anglers are going to love the challenge of catching that trophy-sized pike or walleye, or the challenge of reeling in a burbot. Whitefish and perch can also be found in the lake.
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7. Calling Lake

Calling Lake is located about two and a half hours north of Edmonton. Burbot, pike, walleye, perch, and whitefish can be caught in the lake, but pike are catch-and-release only. Calling Lake is quite popular as a walleye fishing destination. If you’re a walleye enthusiast, then be sure to put this one on your bucket list.
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8. Peerless Lake

Located five hours north of Edmonton, Peerless Lake really is worth the journey. The lake is quite large and fairly deep, and features some incredibly beautiful beaches as well as pristine waters and gorgeous scenery. The lake is a great trout fishery, so if you’ve always wanted to try fishing for them, this is a great northern lake to start.
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2. In and around Edmonton

9. North Saskatchewan River

One of the most exciting places to fish in Edmonton is, hands down, the North Saskatchewan River. The River produces large-sized fish, but the plethora of species that can be caught makes it an exciting place for any angler to try their luck. Burbot, goldeye, lake sturgeon, pike, sauger, walleye, and others can all be caught in the river. If you’ve never fished for sturgeon before, there really isn’t anything like it, and burbot can be a very exciting fish to catch as well.
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10. Wabamun Lake

Wabamun Lake Provincial Park can be an exciting place to fish, but there is so much more to do as well! Camp out for a few days, hit the beach, hike the boardwalks in the park, or go out for a morning of birdwatching. The lake is also a great destination for sailing and other watersports. Located just over half an hour west of Edmonton, the lake is a popular destination and can be quite busy during peak seasons. Walleye, perch, and pike can be fished in the lake, but it is best known for the larger pike it often produces.
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11. Muir Lake

If you’re looking for a great place to fish for rainbow trout, then you have to give Muir Lake a try. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout, and anglers have found that they can catch decent-sized fish. The lake is located just west of Edmonton, and is popular for anglers of all ages and skill levels. The lake is a beautiful place to spend the day, practice a ton of different fishing techniques, and try out many different baits.
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12. Pigeon Lake

Located about an hour southwest of Edmonton, Pigeon Lake Provincial Park features a whole host of activities that are sure to delight anglers of all ages, as well as those looking to bring their family for an exciting getaway combined with a fishing trip. Pike and walleye are catch and release only, but they can still be exciting to fish for. The lake also holds burbot, whitefish, and perch.
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3. In and around Calgary

13. Pine Coulee Reservoir

Located just an hour south of Calgary, Pine Coulee Reservoir features a campground, a beautiful stretch of water perfect for watersports as well as sailing and swimming, a public dock, and of course, some excellent fishing and stocked with rainbow trout.
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14. Bow River

If you’re from Calgary, chances are you know how amazing fishing the Bow River can be. If you’re not, take our word for it, it’s an amazing experience. The river contains five different species of trout, burbot, whitefish, pike, and walleye. Pick a spot and try your hand at all sorts of different angling techniques.
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15. Chain Lakes Reservoir

Chain Lakes Reservoir is a beautiful spot, set in the foothills of Alberta, at the front range of the Rockies. Located about 90km south of Calgary, the Chain Lakes Provincial Park is an incredible spot to visit. While the lake is stocked with rainbow trout, there are other species of trout that have been caught as well. The lake isn’t an amazing sportfish destination, but if you’re looking for an incredibly beautiful spot to fish and that’s more important than catching a monster or a trophy-sized fish, this is definitely the place to be.
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16. Lake Minnewanka

Lake Minnewanka is located just under 100km from Calgary, and only a few minutes from the resort town of Banff. If you’re planning a getaway to the amazing, scenic town, then you should also throw in your fishing gear and try your luck on Lake Minnewanka. The lake is actually rated as one of the top ten trout fisheries in the entire country! There are also some oversized mountain whitefish that cause quite a stir for anglers.

4. Central Alberta/Jasper National Park

17. The Dickson Trout Pond

Gleniffer Lake is an artificially created lake about an hour and a half from Calgary near Dickson. The Dickson Trout Pond is located on the northwestern shore of Gleniffer Lake. It is stocked with rainbow trout, but it’s also possible to catch pike. If you’re looking for a getaway that you can see and do in a single day, but want to get out of the city, then Dickson Trout Pond is the perfect place to try your luck.
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18. Maligne Lake

You can’t visit Alberta and not see Jasper National Park. Maligne Lake, located in the park, is famous for its incredible gemstone-hued waters and the natural beauty of the mountains, which frame the area. Come practice different angling techniques, catch some trout, or just sit back and soak up the beauty of the area. We won’t tell anyone!

19. Red Deer River

The Red Deer River  is an excellent river to fish. There is a wide variety of different species that can all be caught, including burbot, lake sturgeon, whitefish, walleye, pike, trout, goldeye, and sauger. Pretty much any day on the river is going to be an exciting, fun and challenging one.
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5. Southern Alberta

20. Sheep River

Located in the southwestern part of the province, the Sheep River is part of the Bow River watershed. The Sheep River Provincial Park is a beautiful place for discovery. With the foothills to the east and the Rockies to the west, there is literally no limit to the amazing natural beauty. The park features two campgrounds, and there are a ton of different activities that you can enjoy. Of course, the fishing is also great. There are three different species of trout that can be caught, as well as whitefish.
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21. Upper Kananaskis Lake

Located in the Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, about two hours from Calgary, Upper Kananaskis Lake is one of those gorgeous gems that Alberta is so well known for. The lake is known for sparkling clear waters and of course, for the mountains that frame it in the background. There are four different species of trout which can be fished for if you want to test your skills.
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22. Lower Kananaskis Lake

Like Upper Kananaskis Lake, Lower Kananaskis Lake is simply gorgeous. Framed by the mountains, it’s the perfect place for a scenic escape. There are also four different species of trout that can be caught on the lake. If you’re looking for a good spot to try your hand at fly fishing or just a relaxing escape into the heart of Alberta’s iconic landscape, then add this one to the bucket list.
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23. Lake Newell

Lake Newell is a manmade reservoir southeast of Calgary, ten minutes away from Brooks. The lake is one of Alberta’s largest manmade lakes and is known to be quite warm, which makes it perfect for swimming, boating, and watersports. Pike and walleye are catch and release, but there are also whitefish, burbot, and perch.
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24. Oldman Reservoir

Located in the southern part of the province, the Oldman Dam Provincial Recreation Area is yet another trout hotspot in Alberta. There are many different species of trout that can be caught in the Reservoir. The area is perfect for fishing, but it’s also a great spot to camp, sail, enjoy watersports, and for wildlife viewing.
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25. Castle River

Located in the southwest part of the province, the Castle River is a great spot to fish for trout, but it’s not for the faint of heart. If you don’t like to fish in highly trafficked areas, you can fish the Castle River and not see a soul all day. The area is beautiful, but it can also be a popular fishing spot for wildlife like bears, so be sure to come prepared.
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