Fishing in Southern Alberta
Bow River, Oldman River, Waterton Lakes, Cypress Hills — world-class trout fishing in Alberta's ranch country.
1. Bow River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Lethbridge to Medicine HatThe Bow River below the Bassano Dam offers world-class brown trout and rainbow trout fishing. The river's nutrient-rich waters produce fast-growing trout.
2. Oldman River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Pincher Creek to LethbridgeThe Oldman River offers excellent rainbow trout, brown trout, and bull trout fishing. The river flows through the beautiful Porcupine Hills.
3. Waterton Lakes National Park (Cutthroat Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout)
Waterton ParkWaterton Lakes offers rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and mountain whitefish fishing in a stunning Rocky Mountain setting.
4. Cypress Hills (Alberta side)
Cypress Hills ParkCypress Hills Interprovincial Park offers rainbow trout fishing in stocked ponds and lakes at Alberta's highest elevation.
5. St. Mary River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Cardston areaThe St. Mary River offers rainbow trout and brown trout fishing in southern Alberta. The river flows from the Rocky Mountains.
6. Belly River (Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Cardston areaThe Belly River offers rainbow trout and cutthroat trout fishing in the Waterton region.
7. Crowsnest River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Crowsnest PassThe Crowsnest River is a world-class trout stream offering rainbow and brown trout fishing in a scenic mountain valley.
8. Castle River (Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Castle Mountain areaThe Castle River offers excellent rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing in the Castle Wildland Provincial Park.
9. Livingstone River (Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Livingstone areaThe Livingstone River offers cutthroat trout and rainbow trout fishing in the eastern slopes of the Rockies.
10. Carbondale River (Cutthroat Trout)
Carbondale areaThe Carbondale River offers cutthroat trout fishing in the Castle region of southern Alberta.
11. Willow Creek (Rainbow Trout)
Claresholm areaWillow Creek offers rainbow trout fishing in the Porcupine Hills region of southern Alberta.
12. Pincher Creek (Rainbow Trout)
Pincher Creek areaPincher Creek offers rainbow trout fishing in the foothills of southern Alberta.
13. Lee Lake (Rainbow Trout)
Near RaymondLee Lake offers rainbow trout fishing in a stocked prairie lake south of Lethbridge.
14. Park Lake (Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch)
Near LethbridgePark Lake offers rainbow trout, northern pike, and yellow perch fishing near Lethbridge.
15. Keho Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Near Picture ButteKeho Lake offers northern pike and walleye fishing in southern Alberta.
16. Tyrrell Lake (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Near WarnerTyrrell Lake offers northern pike and walleye fishing in a large prairie reservoir.
17. Chin Reservoir (Northern Pike, Walleye)
Near Bow IslandChin Reservoir offers walleye, northern pike, and perch fishing in the South Saskatchewan River basin.
18. Eagle Lake (Southern AB)
Near GranumEagle Lake offers northern pike and walleye fishing in southern Alberta.
19. St. Mary Reservoir (Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, Walleye)
Near MagrathSt. Mary Reservoir offers walleye, northern pike, and rainbow trout fishing.
20. Waterton Reservoir (Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout)
Near WatertonWaterton Reservoir offers rainbow trout and northern pike fishing near Waterton Lakes National Park.
Fishing Tips for the Southern Alberta Region
- Get a licence -- All anglers 18+ need an Alberta fishing licence. Buy online at albertarelm.com.
- Fish the Bow River -- The Bow River below Bassano Dam is world-famous for brown trout. Catch-and-release is strongly encouraged.
- Watch for private land -- Much of southern Alberta's river access is through private land. Use designated public access points.
- Try the Crowsnest -- The Crowsnest River is one of Alberta's top trout streams with excellent fly fishing.
- Check regulations -- Alberta has strict bait bans on many trout streams. Always check current regulations.
- 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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