Fishing in Northern Alberta
Lesser Slave Lake, Cold Lake, Athabasca River, Peace River — trophy pike, walleye, and lake trout in Alberta's north.
1. Cold Lake (Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye)
Cold Lake areaCold Lake is a deep, clear lake straddling the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. The lake offers trophy lake trout, walleye, and northern pike fishing. Lake trout can exceed 20 pounds.
2. Lesser Slave Lake (Lake Whitefish, Northern Pike, Walleye)
Slave Lake areaLesser Slave Lake offers world-class walleye, northern pike, and lake whitefish fishing. The lake is one of Alberta's most productive fisheries.
3. Athabasca River (Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike, Walleye)
Athabasca to Fort McMurrayThe Athabasca River offers walleye, northern pike, and Arctic grayling fishing. The river flows through the boreal forest.
4. Peace River (Goldeye, Northern Pike, Walleye)
Peace River areaThe Peace River offers walleye, northern pike, and goldeye fishing in Alberta's Peace Country.
5. Lake Athabasca (AB side)
Fort Chipewyan areaThe Alberta side of Lake Athabasca offers lake trout, northern pike, and Arctic grayling fishing in a remote wilderness setting.
6. Birch Lake (Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Near BonnyvilleBirch Lake offers rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout fishing in the Lakeland region.
7. Marie Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Near Cold LakeMarie Lake offers walleye, northern pike, and perch fishing in the Cold Lake region.
8. Crimson Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Near Rocky Mountain HouseCrimson Lake offers northern pike and walleye fishing in Crimson Lake Provincial Park.
9. Rocky Mountain House Area (Northern Pike, Trout)
Rocky Mountain HouseThe Rocky Mountain House area has numerous lakes and rivers offering trout and pike fishing on the eastern slopes.
10. North Saskatchewan River (Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, Walleye, Whitefish)
Rocky Mountain House areaThe upper North Saskatchewan River offers rainbow trout, bull trout, and mountain whitefish fishing.
11. Brazeau River (Rainbow Trout)
Near NordeggThe Brazeau River offers bull trout and rainbow trout fishing in the foothills.
12. Pembina River (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Near EvansburgThe Pembina River offers walleye and northern pike fishing in west-central Alberta.
13. McLeod River (Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout)
Near EdsonThe McLeod River offers rainbow trout, bull trout, and mountain whitefish fishing.
14. Wildhay River (Rainbow Trout)
Near HintonThe Wildhay River offers bull trout and rainbow trout fishing in the foothills.
15. Smoky River (Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike)
Grande Cache areaThe Smoky River offers Arctic grayling, bull trout, and northern pike fishing in the northern Rockies.
16. Little Smoky River (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Valleyview areaThe Little Smoky River offers northern pike and walleye fishing in the Peace Country.
17. Wabasca River (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Wabasca areaThe Wabasca River offers northern pike and walleye fishing in the boreal forest.
18. Calling Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Calling Lake areaCalling Lake offers walleye, northern pike, and perch fishing north of Edmonton.
19. Rock Island Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Near Calling LakeRock Island Lake offers walleye and northern pike fishing in the Calling Lake region.
20. Peerless Lake (Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye)
Peerless areaPeerless Lake offers walleye, northern pike, and lake trout fishing in a remote northern setting.
21. Trout Mountain Lakes (Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Near Slave LakeThe Trout Mountain area has numerous small lakes offering brook trout and rainbow trout fishing.
22. Puskwaskau River (Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike)
Near ValleyviewThe Puskwaskau River offers Arctic grayling and northern pike fishing in the Peace Country.
23. Winefred Lake (Lake Trout, Northern Pike)
Near ConklinWinefred Lake is a large, remote lake in northeastern Alberta known for its excellent lake trout and northern pike fishing. The lake is fly-in only, with several lodges offering packages.
24. Utikuma Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Near Peace RiverUtikuma Lake is a large lake in the Peace Country offering walleye, northern pike, and perch fishing. The lake has good road access and several recreation areas.
25. North Wabasca Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Near WabascaNorth Wabasca Lake offers walleye, northern pike, and perch fishing in the boreal forest north of Edmonton.
26. Hay River (Alberta)
Near Hay LakeThe Hay River flows through northwestern Alberta into the Northwest Territories, offering northern pike and walleye fishing.
Fishing Tips for the Northern Alberta Region
- Get a licence -- Buy online at albertarelm.com.
- Cold Lake lake trout -- Cold Lake offers some of the best lake trout fishing in Alberta. June and October are peak times.
- Lesser Slave Lake -- Lesser Slave Lake is one of Alberta's premier walleye and pike lakes, excellent year-round.
- Bring insect repellent -- Northern Alberta has intense mosquito and black fly populations in early summer.
- Plan for remote travel -- Northern Alberta's best fishing spots often require travel on gravel roads. Check road conditions.
- 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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