Daily catch limits, open seasons, and zone rules for Alberta — all in one place, and all available offline in the TrueNorthAngler fishing app.
Planning a fishing trip in Alberta? This page gives you the general limits and open seasons from the 2026 Alberta Guide to Sportfishing Regulations. For zone-by-zone rules, special regulations, and real-time updates, use the TrueNorthAngler app — every Alberta zone's rules are stored offline on your phone.
A directory of 9 popular lakes, rivers, and waters in Alberta — with bathymetric depth (where published), key fish species, and the most productive seasons. 4 of 9 have published depth data; depths for the rest are marked “—” until we add them.
| Waterbody | Max depth | Area | Key species | Popular season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Lakelake | 100 m / 328 ft | 370 km² | — | Open-water season generally runs May–September, with ice fishing January–March on lakes that freeze safely. Confirm exact open/closed dates for your zone in the TrueNorthAngler app. |
| Sylvan Lakelake | 20 m / 66 ft | 27 km² | — | Open-water season generally runs May–September, with ice fishing January–March on lakes that freeze safely. Confirm exact open/closed dates for your zone in the TrueNorthAngler app. |
| Lac La Bichewaterbody | 20 m / 66 ft | 233 km² | Walleye | Open-water season generally runs May–September, with ice fishing January–March on lakes that freeze safely. Confirm exact open/closed dates for your zone in the TrueNorthAngler app. |
| Pigeon Lakelake | 18 m / 59 ft | 97 km² | — | Open-water season generally runs May–September, with ice fishing January–March on lakes that freeze safely. Confirm exact open/closed dates for your zone in the TrueNorthAngler app. |
| Bow Riverriver | — | — | Brown TroutBull TroutCutthroat Trout+6 more | Trout: June–September (opens the second Saturday in June). The section below the Carseland weir (between Calgary and the Bassano Dam) is the famous stretch. |
| Calling Lakewaterbody | — | — | — | Open-water season generally runs May–September, with ice fishing January–March on lakes that freeze safely. Confirm exact open/closed dates for your zone in the TrueNorthAngler app. |
| Lake Athabascawaterbody | — | — | — | Open-water season generally runs May–September, with ice fishing January–March on lakes that freeze safely. Confirm exact open/closed dates for your zone in the TrueNorthAngler app. |
| Lesser Slave Lakewaterbody | — | — | — | Open-water season generally runs May–September, with ice fishing January–March on lakes that freeze safely. Confirm exact open/closed dates for your zone in the TrueNorthAngler app. |
| North Saskatchewan Riverwaterbody | — | — | — | Open-water season generally runs May–September, with ice fishing January–March on lakes that freeze safely. Confirm exact open/closed dates for your zone in the TrueNorthAngler app. |
Tap any column header to sort. Italicized seasons are general Alberta defaults — confirm exact open/closed dates for your zone in the app.
Detailed write-ups for Alberta's most iconic waters — species you'll find, how the fishery changes through the year, and what makes each one special:
The Bow River below Calgary is one of the premier trout streams in North America — dense populations of large, wild rainbow and brown trout.
These are the general limits and seasons from the 2026 Alberta Guide to Sportfishing Regulations. Zone-specific rules may apply — always confirm on the water with the TrueNorthAngler app, which keeps every zone's rules offline on your phone.
| Species | Daily limit | Open season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye | 3 | Year-round (lakes); May 15–Mar 31 (PP2 streams) |
| Northern Pike | 3 | Year-round (lakes); Jun 1–Oct 31 (NB streams) |
| Lake Trout | 3 | May 15 |
| Rainbow Trout | 5 | Year-round |
| Brown Trout | 2 | Year-round |
| Cutthroat Trout | 2 | Year-round |
| Bull Trout | 0 | Year-round |
| Brook Trout | 5 | Year-round |
| Mountain Whitefish | 5 | Year-round (ES rivers Apr 1–Oct 31) |
| Yellow Perch | 15 | Year-round |
| Goldeye | 10 | Year-round |
| Lake Whitefish | 10 | Year-round (lakes); Jun 1–Oct 31 (NB streams) |
| Arctic Grayling | 0 | Year-round |
| Burbot | 10 | Year-round (lakes); Jun 1–Oct 31 (NB streams) |
| Lake Sturgeon | 0 | Year-round |
Learn to identify, find, and catch each species with our in-depth guides — including the best baits for every weather condition:
Yes — anyone 18 to 64 needs a recreational fishing licence to fish in Alberta. Licences are issued by the Alberta Environment and Parks. You can carry your licence digitally in the TrueNorthAngler app's licence wallet — no more scrambling for paper when the warden shows up. See our full guide: Canadian fishing licences explained.
Every Alberta fishing zone's limits, seasons, and special regulations — searchable, offline, on your phone.
A 7-day bite forecast for your target species in Alberta, powered by water temp, wind, pressure, and lunar data.
Store your Alberta fishing licence in the app. Show it instantly to a conservation officer.
Download Alberta fishing zone maps before you leave cell range — they keep working on remote waters.
Every regulation, every zone, every forecast — offline and in your pocket. Free for the 2026 season.