Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Alberta (Complete Guide)

Alberta offers some of the best fishing in Canada. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish in Alberta can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish in Alberta are during the spring and fall months, particularly from April to June and September to October, when fish are more active and feeding.

Month	Alberta Fishing Location
January	North Saskatchewan River (Rocky Mountain House) – Fishing for northern pike and walleye.
February	Ghost Reservoir – Ice fishing for rainbow trout and brown trout.
March	Bow River (Calgary) – Fly fishing for brown trout and rainbow trout.
April	Oldman River (Lundbreck Falls) – Fly fishing for brown trout and bull trout.
May	Lake Newell – Angling for walleye and yellow perch.
June	Sylvan Lake – Fishing for northern pike and yellow perch.
July	Lesser Slave Lake – Trolling for walleye and northern pike.
August	Cold Lake – Casting for lake trout and northern pike.
September	North Ram River – Fly fishing for cutthroat trout and bull trout.
October	Athabasca River (Hinton) – Spin fishing for brown trout and rainbow trout.
November	Red Deer River (Sundre) – Fly fishing for brown trout and cutthroat trout.
December	Castle River (Castle Mountain Junction) – Fishing for rainbow trout and bull trout.

This article will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Alberta. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Familiarize yourself with Canada’s prime fishing seasons for all types of water bodies with this useful Canadian fishing season guide.

Best Times: Alberta River Fishing

Bow River (Calgary to Carseland): Best months for fishing are May to October, targeting trout and pike.

Oldman River (Lundbreck Falls to Taber): Best months for fishing are July to September, targeting trout and whitefish.

North Saskatchewan River (Rocky Mountain House to Edmonton): Best months for fishing are May to October, targeting trout, pike, and walleye.

Crowsnest River (Crowsnest Pass to Oldman Reservoir): Best months for fishing are June to September, targeting trout.

Athabasca River (Hinton to Athabasca): Best months for fishing are June to August, targeting trout and pike.

Red Deer River (Sundre to Drumheller): Best months for fishing are June to September, targeting trout, pike, and walleye.

Clearwater River (Rocky Mountain House to Fort McMurray): Best months for fishing are July to September, targeting trout and pike.

Highwood River (High River to Longview): Best months for fishing are June to August, targeting trout.

Sheep River (Turner Valley to Black Diamond): Best months for fishing are June to September, targeting trout and pike.

Ram River (Nordegg to Rocky Mountain House): Best months for fishing are July to September, targeting trout.

North Ram River (Ram Falls to Nordegg): Best months for fishing are July to September, targeting trout.

North Raven River (Eckville to Rocky Mountain House): Best months for fishing are July to September, targeting trout.

Livingstone River (Livingstone Gap to Castle River): Best months for fishing are June to August, targeting trout.

Castle River (Castle Mountain Junction to Oldman River Reservoir): Best months for fishing are July to September, targeting trout.

Highwood Creek (Longview to High River): Best months for fishing are June to August, targeting trout.

Pekisko Creek (Longview to High River): Best months for fishing are June to August, targeting trout.

Sheep Creek (Turner Valley to Black Diamond): Best months for fishing are June to September, targeting trout.

Medicine Lodge Creek (Peigan Indian Reserve to Oldman River): Best months for fishing are June to September, targeting trout.

Smoky River (Grande Cache to McLennan): Best months for fishing are June to August, targeting trout and pike.

Waterton River (Waterton Lakes National Park): Best months for fishing are July to September, targeting trout and pike.

Best Times: Alberta Lake Fishing

Lake Athabasca: Best months for fishing are June to August, targeting lake trout, northern pike, and walleye.

Lesser Slave Lake: Best months for fishing are June to September, targeting walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch.

Cold Lake: Best months for fishing are May to September, targeting lake trout, northern pike, and walleye.

Pinehurst Lake: Best months for fishing are May to September, targeting rainbow trout and brook trout.

Calling Lake: Best months for fishing are June to August, targeting walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch.

Lac La Biche: Best months for fishing are May to September, targeting walleye, northern pike, and lake whitefish.

Sylvan Lake: Best months for fishing are June to September, targeting yellow perch, northern pike, and lake whitefish.

Ghost Lake: Best months for fishing are May to September, targeting rainbow trout, brown trout, and northern pike.

Lake Newell: Best months for fishing are May to September, targeting walleye, yellow perch, and northern pike.

Upper Waterton Lake: Best months for fishing are July to September, targeting lake trout and bull trout.

Ghost Reservoir: Best months for fishing are May to September, targeting rainbow trout, brown trout, and northern pike.

Greg Lake: Best months for fishing are June to August, targeting walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch.

Muir Lake: Best months for fishing are May to September, targeting rainbow trout, brown trout, and northern pike.

Wabamun Lake: Best months for fishing are May to September, targeting walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch.

Beaver Lake: Best months for fishing are May to September, targeting rainbow trout, brown trout, and northern pike.

McGregor Lake: Best months for fishing are May to September, targeting walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch.

Upper Kananaskis Lake: Best months for fishing are June to August, targeting rainbow trout, bull trout, and brook trout.

Muriel Lake: Best months for fishing are May to September, targeting walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch.

Pigeon Lake: Best months for fishing are May to September, targeting walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch.

Lake Isle: Best months for fishing are May to September, targeting walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch.

Check out this helpful guide for picking the best times and seasons to fish in Montreal. You may also like this article on the best times to fish in New Brunswick throughout the year.

Recommended Fishing Guides in Alberta

These Alberta-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
River People Guides	Calgary, AB

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Lake Trout

The best time to fish for lake trout in Alberta is during the spring and fall months of April to June and September to October. Lake trout are more active during the early morning or late evening hours. Some of Alberta’s best locations for lake trout fishing are Cold Lake, Lake Athabasca, Lesser Slave Lake, and Lake Louise.

Brook Trout

The best time to fish for brook trout in Alberta is during the spring and fall months of April to June and September to October. Brook trout are more active during the early morning or late evening hours. Some of the best locations for brook trout fishing in Alberta are Upper Crowsnest River, North Ram River, Upper Red Deer River, and Panther River

Bull Trout

The best time to fish for bull trout in Alberta is from June to September in the summer and fall months. Bull trout are more active during the early morning or late evening hours. Some of Alberta’s best locations for bull trout fishing are Bow River, Oldman River, Belly River, and Castle River.

Brown Trout

The best time to fish for brown trout in Alberta is during the spring and fall months of April to June and September to October. Brown trout are more active during the early morning or late evening hours. Alberta’s best locations for brown trout fishing are Bow River, Crowsnest River, Oldman River, and Highwood River.

Rainbow Trout

The best time to fish for rainbow trout in Alberta is during the spring and fall months of April to June and September to October. Rainbow trout are more active during the early morning or late evening hours. Some of Alberta’s best locations for rainbow trout fishing are Bow River, North Saskatchewan River, Ghost Lake, and Red Deer River.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass fishing in Alberta is best during the summer months of June to August. Smallmouth bass are more active during early morning or late evening hours. Some of Alberta’s best locations for smallmouth bass fishing are Ghost Lake, Clearwater River, North Saskatchewan River, and Upper Waterton Lake.

Burbot

The best time to fish for burbot in Alberta is during the winter months of December to February. Burbot are more active during nighttime hours. Some of Alberta’s best locations for burbot fishing are Lesser Slave Lake, Cold Lake, Lac La Biche, and Athabasca River.

Whitefish

The best time to fish for whitefish in Alberta is during the fall and winter months of September to February. Whitefish are more active during daytime hours. Some of Alberta’s best locations for whitefish fishing are Lesser Slave Lake, Cold Lake, Sylvan Lake, and Ghost Lake.

Yellow Perch

The best time to fish for yellow perch in Alberta is during the spring and fall months of April to June and September to October. Yellow perch are more active during early morning or late evening hours. Some of Alberta’s best locations for yellow perch fishing are Lac La Biche, Ghost Lake, Sylvan Lake, and Pinehurst Lake.

Catfish

The best time to fish for catfish in Alberta is during the summer months of June to August. Catfish are more active during nighttime hours. Some of Alberta’s best locations for catfish fishing are the North Saskatchewan River, the Bow River, Ghost Lake, and Lake Newell.

Muskie

The best time to fish for muskie in Alberta is during the summer months of June to August. Muskie are more active during the early morning or late evening hours. Some of Alberta’s best muskie fishing locations are Lac La Biche, Cold Lake, Pinehurst Lake, and Calling Lake.

Northern Pike

The best time to fish for pike in Alberta is during the summer months of June to August. Pike are more active during early morning or late evening hours. Some of Alberta’s best locations for pike fishing are Sylvan Lake, Ghost Lake, Lesser Slave Lake, and Lac Ste.

Walleye

The best time to fish for walleye in Alberta is during the spring and fall months of April to June and September to October. Walleye are more active during the early morning or late evening hours. Some of Alberta’s best locations for walleye fishing are Lake Athabasca, Lac La Biche, Lesser Slave Lake, and Cold Lake.

Best Fishing in Alberta on a Seasonal Basis

Winter

• Sylvan Lake: In the winter, Sylvan Lake is a popular spot for ice fishing, where you can catch yellow perch, northern pike, and lake whitefish.
• Ghost Lake: Winter fishing at Ghost Lake offers opportunities to catch lake trout, northern pike, and yellow perch.
• Lac Ste. Anne: During the winter months, Lac Ste. Anne is known for ice fishing for northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch.
• Cold Lake: In the winter, Cold Lake is a prime location for ice fishing, with opportunities to catch lake trout, northern pike, and whitefish.
• Pine Coulee Reservoir: Winter fishing at Pine Coulee Reservoir can yield walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch.

Spring

• Bow River: In the spring, the Bow River is a popular spot for catching trout, including brown trout and rainbow trout.
• Lake Newell: Spring fishing at Lake Newell offers opportunities to catch walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch.
• North Saskatchewan River: During the spring months, the North Saskatchewan River is known for its excellent fishing for trout, including brown trout and rainbow trout.
• Lesser Slave Lake: In the spring, Lesser Slave Lake is a prime location for catching northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch.
• Red Deer River: Spring fishing on the Red Deer River can yield trout, including brown trout and rainbow trout.

Summer

• Lake Louise: In the summer, Lake Louise is a picturesque spot for fishing and offers opportunities to catch trout, including cutthroat trout and bull trout.
• Sylvan Lake: Summer fishing at Sylvan Lake is popular for catching yellow perch, northern pike, and lake whitefish.
• Waterton Lakes: During the summer months, Waterton Lakes is known for its excellent fishing for trout, including rainbow trout and brook trout.
• Ghost Lake: In the summer, Ghost Lake is a prime location for fishing and offers opportunities to catch walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch.
• Upper Kananaskis Lake: Summer fishing at Upper Kananaskis Lake can yield trout, including rainbow trout and cutthroat trout.

Fall

• Bow River: In the fall, the Bow River is a popular spot for catching trout, including brown trout and rainbow trout.
• Lake Athabasca: Fall fishing at Lake Athabasca offers opportunities to catch northern pike, walleye, and lake trout.
• North Saskatchewan River: During the fall months, the North Saskatchewan River is known for its excellent fishing for trout, including brown trout and rainbow trout.
• Cold Lake: In the fall, Cold Lake is a prime location for catching lake trout, northern pike, and whitefish.
• Brazeau Reservoir: Fall fishing at Brazeau Reservoir can yield walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch.