Fishing in Calgary & Central Alberta
Bow River through Calgary, Kananaskis Country, Ghost Reservoir, and the central Alberta parklands.
1. Bow River (Calgary)
CalgaryThe Bow River through Calgary offers world-class rainbow and brown trout fishing within the city. The river's nutrient-rich waters produce large trout.
2. Ghost Reservoir (Brown Trout, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout)
West of CalgaryGhost Reservoir offers rainbow trout, brown trout, and northern pike fishing in a scenic setting west of Calgary.
3. Kananaskis River (Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Kananaskis CountryThe Kananaskis River offers rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing in the beautiful Kananaskis Valley.
4. Spray Lakes Reservoir (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout)
KananaskisSpray Lakes Reservoir offers rainbow trout and lake trout fishing in a high-elevation reservoir.
5. Upper Kananaskis Lake (Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout)
KananaskisUpper Kananaskis Lake offers rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and bull trout fishing.
6. Lower Kananaskis Lake (Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout)
KananaskisLower Kananaskis Lake offers rainbow trout and cutthroat trout fishing in Kananaskis Country.
7. Barrier Lake (Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout)
KananaskisBarrier Lake offers rainbow trout and lake trout fishing in the Kananaskis Valley.
8. Elbow River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Calgary/SW AlbertaThe Elbow River offers rainbow and brown trout fishing flowing from the Elbow-Sheep Wildland into Calgary.
9. Sheep River (Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Turner Valley areaThe Sheep River offers rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing in the foothills southwest of Calgary.
10. Highwood River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Longview areaThe Highwood River offers excellent rainbow and brown trout fishing in the foothills.
11. Jumpingpound Creek (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Cochrane areaJumpingpound Creek offers rainbow and brown trout fishing near Cochrane.
12. Cochrane Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)
CochraneCochrane Lake offers northern pike and walleye fishing near Cochrane.
13. Sibbald Lake (Rainbow Trout)
KananaskisSibbald Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in Sibbald Lake Provincial Recreation Area.
14. Chain Lakes Reservoir (Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout)
Nanton areaChain Lakes Reservoir offers rainbow trout and northern pike fishing on the eastern slopes.
15. Pine Coulee Reservoir (Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, Walleye)
Near ClaresholmPine Coulee Reservoir offers rainbow trout, walleye, and northern pike fishing.
16. Travers Reservoir (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Near CarmangayTravers Reservoir offers walleye, northern pike, and perch fishing in south-central Alberta.
17. Little Bow Reservoir (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Near CarmangayLittle Bow Reservoir offers walleye, northern pike, and perch fishing.
Fishing Tips for the Calgary Region
- Get a licence -- Buy online at albertarelm.com.
- Fish the Bow in Calgary -- The Bow River through Calgary offers world-class trout fishing within the city limits.
- Try Kananaskis -- Kananaskis Country offers excellent trout fishing in a beautiful mountain setting.
- Watch for closures -- Some Kananaskis lakes have seasonal closures for fish spawning. Check regulations.
- Bring bear spray -- Kananaskis Country has significant bear populations. Carry bear spray when hiking to remote fishing spots.
- Get a licence — All anglers 18+ need an Ontario fishing licence. Buy online at ontario.ca/fishing.
- Watch Great Lakes weather — Lake Erie is notorious for sudden, dangerous storms. Check marine forecasts before heading out.
- Hire a charter — For Lake Ontario salmon and Lake Erie walleye, chartered trips are the most productive option.
- Fish the Bay of Quinte in fall — September through November offers the best trophy walleye fishing in the bay.
- Try the Niagara River — The Niagara River offers year-round fishing opportunities unmatched in Ontario.
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