Sport Fish Of Alberta
Brook Trout
A. marbled pattern
B. white leading edge on the pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins
C. no black or brown spots on the head
D. distinctive sprinkling of red dots
Brook Trout Description
In Alberta, brook trout were introduced in the early 1900s. They are more common in eastern provinces. They can be found moderately throughout all of Alberta and are included in the Alberta stock program.
Diet: flies, small fish, crustaceans, invertebrates, amphibians
Habitat: rivers, lakes, cool clean water, require narrow pH levels
Breeding: October
Alberta Record: 12lb 14.3oz
Life Span: 5 years
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Brown Trout
A. darker black/red spots down the backside
B. few/no spots on tail
C. Red spots with pale halos around them
Brown Trout Description
Brown Trout are not native to Alberta but were introduced in 1925 when a truck carrying 45,000 fingerlings broke down. The driver released his cargo into the nearest stream which lead the fish to the Bow River -- which is now world renowned for Brown Trout fishing. Despite their unintended entrance into Alberta they are a part of the Alberta stock program and are now found moderately throughout the Eastern Slopes of Alberta.
Diet: flies, other fish, nocturnal
Habitat: all bodies of water, behind rocks, fallen trees, undercut banks
Breeding: fall when temperatures drop below 8 degrees celsius
Alberta Record: 17lb 9oz
Life Span: 20 years
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Bull Trout
A. No black spots on dorsal fin
B. large head/mouth
C. fins have white leading edges
D. Pale yellow or cream colored spots
E. dark/olive green back
Bull Trout Description
Bull trout are native to the province and the official fish of Alberta. They are currently an at-risk species of fish and are strictly protected by a 0 keep limit across the province. They are lightly stocked and found in a few locations in the Eastern Slopes of Alberta.
Diet: opportunist feeders, insects, shrimp, snails, leeches other fish, fish eggs
Habitat: deep cold water, lakes, large rivers
Breeding: early fall
Alberta Record: 17lb 15oz
Life Span: 15 years
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Cutthroat Trout
A. a slash of red on the lower jaw
B. greenish backs with yellow or silver sides; matured fish may have a reddish belly and cheeks
C. black spots mostly concentrated above the lateral line , except near the tail
D. slightly forked tail fin (also spotted)
Cutthroat Trout Description
West Slope Cutthroat Trout are a native fish to Alberta emerging from the South Saskatchewan and Bow river drainage. Although pure genetic strain Cutthroat are plentiful in many of the Southern Alberta head waters, they have been classed as a "threatened species" in Alberta. They have been pushed out of 75% of their range by introduced trout species and poor water quality. Yellowstone Cutthroat trout are stocked throughout the eastern slopes of Alberta every year, however this has altered the genetics of the native West Slope Cutthroat with the exception of ones found in headwaters isolated by waterfalls. But don't be disappointed, when the insect hatch is on, Cutthroat are programmed to feed and rise to the occasion, commonly being referred to as the "dry fly trout". However the big cutties can suck down the largest fly in your box and never disturb the water's surface.
Diet: insects, small fish, leeches, crustaceans
Habitat: cold mountain lakes, rivers/streams, close to the bottom
Breeding: late winter early spring
Alberta Record: 9lb 9oz
Life Span: 10 years
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Golden Trout
Golden Trout Identification
A. orange/red colored cheeks
B. horizontal band along the lateral line
C. dark oval marks
D. Dorsal, lateral, anal fins have white leading edges
Golden Trout Description
Golden trout are not native to Canada, but are most commonly found in California. Introduced to Alberta in the early 1960's they are still very rare, and are only found in a few locations in the southern Eastern Slopes. They have been a part of the Alberta stock program but are only distributed in low quantities at select locations.
Diet: insects, worms, planktons, fish eggs
Habitat: 10,000 feet above sea level, cold clear water
Breeding: late spring, early summer
Alberta Record: 4lb 6.5oz
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Lake Trout
A. light green or grey
B. lighter colored spots
C. deeply forked tail
Lake Trout Description
Lake trout are one of Alberta's largest game fish, and are currently classified as sensitive to being an at-risk species. They are most commonly found in the northern parts of Alberta but are found in some bodies of water in the Eastern Slopes.
Diet: other species of fish
Habitat: deep cold lakes
Breeding: October
Alberta Record: 52lb 8oz
Life Span: 20 years
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Rainbow Trout
A. reddish stripe along their sides
B. darker on top
C. black spots
Rainbow Trout Description
Alberta Rainbow Trout are the most sought after Trout in Alberta, and have been the most widely stocked fish in Alberta for decades. The only true native Rainbow trout to the province of Alberta is the Athabasca Rainbow and is for the most part restricted to the waters of the North Saskatchewan River (NSR) and its tributaries, including a few other select rivers and streams to the north of the NSR. The Rainbows of the Bow River, which average 16 inches in length and often reach lengths of 22” or better, are not native but they are naturally reproducing and considered by most to be wild. These Rainbows are primarily of McCloud River strain and were originally stocked in the Bow River in the mid 1920’s. A train carrying the Trout stocks was on its way to Banff National Park with the intent of stocking some of the parks lakes with the fish when it experienced a set of unfortunate circumstances just outside of the parks boundaries and it derailed on the banks of the Bow. In order to prevent wasting the fish stocks they were initially introduced and transplanted into the Bow River. These Rainbow trout are commonly referred to as “Steelhead Stock” or “California steelhead” due to their origins. These trout stocks were wild, native fish from the McCloud River (a spring fed stream in the Sacramento River drainage of Northern California) and until 1944 when the Shasta Dam was constructed, were one of the most prolific steelhead populations of the Sacramento drainage. McCloud River Rainbows are also the most prolifically stocked Rainbow trout on the planet, being stocked in lakes, rivers and streams in almost 50 different countries worldwide.
Diet: insects, leeches, other fish, fish eggs
Habitat: cold moving water, rivers, ponds, lakes
Breeding: spring, sometimes fall
Alberta Record: 20lb 4oz
Life Span: 7 years
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Arctic Grayling
A. Large sail like dorsal fin
B. forked tail
C. may also have spots in the shape of an X or V
D. small narrow mouth with small teeth in both jaws
Arctic Grayling Description
Arctic grayling are found in modest amounts among the northern parts of Alberta, and are considered sensitive to the risks of depletion. They are also mildly included in Alberta's fish stock program.
Diet: flies, small fish, eggs, the bottom
Habitat: cold water, shallow waters of rivers, streams, ponds, lakes
Breeding: spring
Alberta Record: 2lb 15.5oz
Life Span: 18 years
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Burbot
A. Very small/invisible scales
B. 2 dorsal fins
C. Rounded tail
D. long chin barbel
E. brown, with dark brown mottling on the sides
Burbot Description
Burbot are secure, and found in abundance throughout Alberta (with the exception of the Eastern Slopes, where their presence is modest). They are the only cod-type fish in Alberta, and currently hold the most recent Alberta fishing record set in 2004.
Diet: small fish, insects, small rodents
Habitat: deep open water, cool temperatures, lakes, rivers
Breeding: early fall
Alberta Record: 18lb 11.8oz
Life Span: 12 years
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Gold Eye
A. olive/brown back
B. forked tail
C. eyes have gold-colored iris
D. rounded snout, small mouth, sharp teeth
E. dorsal fin begins behind where the anal fin starts
Goldeye Description
Goldeye are a native fish of Alberta. Although they are a secure species, they are not found in many of bodies of water, and are scattered through out the province.
Diet: insects, crustaceans, small fish
Habitat: warm, silty, slow-moving water
Breeding: early spring
Alberta Record: 4lb 2oz
Life Span: 13 years
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Lake Whitefish
A. blunt nose
B. fins almost clear
C. greenish brown back
D. Deeply forked tail
Lake Whitefish Description
Lake whitefish are a stable native fish in Alberta. They are found abundantly through out the province, with the exception of the Eastern Slopes where their presence is modest. They are a popular game fish among anglers, and are a large part of the commercial fishing in Alberta.
Diet: insects, shrimp, small fish, fish eggs, bottom organisms
Habitat: deep cold lakes
Breeding: early winter
Alberta Record: 11lb 10.1oz
Life Span: 20 years
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Lake Sturgeon
A. wedge shaped snout
B. covered with bony plates
C. lack of scales
D. elongated bodies
E. Four barbels, toothless mouth
Lake Sturgeon Description
Alberta Lake Sturgeon are the largest game fish in Alberta and although they are currently protected throughout the province, population recovery has occurred in three major river systems since 1940. Lake Sturgeon are commonly caught in the North Saskatchewan, South Saskatchewan and Red Deer river systems by experienced anglers in all slot sizes. They routinely travel over 100 kilometres between the Alberta and Saskatchewan border through the North and South Saskatchewan river systems. They can live over 100 years old and reach weights over 100 pounds. Catch and release rules still apply province wide, while biologists are currently assessing their listed protected status.
Diet: insect larvae, clams, fish, fish eggs, crayfish, vegetation
Habitat: large deep rivers & lakes
Breeding: May to July depending on flow rates/water temperature
Alberta Record: 105lb
Life Span: 100 years
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Mountain Whitefish
A. short head and a small mouth
B. forked tail
C. body slender and nearly cylindrical in cross section
Mountain Whitefish Description
Mountain whitefish are a secure popular native fish in Alberta, and are found through out the province in most lakes most streams.
Diet: insects, the bottom
Habitat: cold water, deep pools, lakes, streams
Breeding: fall
Alberta Record: 5lb 10.5oz
Life Span: 18 years
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Northern Pike
olive green
dark spots on the fins
Long
duck-like jaw
lots of sharp teeth
Northern Pike Description
Northern Pike are one of the largest game fish in Alberta, and are mildly a part of the Alberta stock program. They are found in plenty throughout the province, and are popular amongst anglers.
Diet: aggressive, other fish (including their own), insects, small birds/animals
Habitat: clear shallow water, weeds, all bodies of water
Breeding: spring
Alberta Record: 38lb
Life Span: 20 years
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Sauger
Sauger Identification
A. large mouth with prominent canines
B. rows of dark spots on its dorsal fin
C. brassy body color with large dark blotches on its sides
Sauger Description
Sauger are found limited in a few rivers in Central/Southern Alberta. They are considered sensitive to being at-risk in the province, and are not a part of the Alberta stock program.
Diet: other fish, leeches, crustaceans, insects
Habitat: silty slow-moving rivers, large lakes
Breeding: spring
Alberta Record: 6lb 2.6oz
Life Span: 8 years
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Walleye
A. two dorsal fins, one is spiny, the other is soft
B. glassy eyes that reflect white light
C. white tips on anal and lower caudal fins
D. large mouth armed with sharp canine teeth
E. olive/gold colour with five darker saddles on their back; white bellies
Walleye Description
Walleye (sometimes called Pickerel which are not related at all) are one of the most wide spread species in Alberta and are found in many lakes and some rivers throughout the province. They have been the most stocked fish in Alberta since 2006, and are the most sought after fish for consumption due to their quality white tasting meat. Walleye are the only species in Alberta that are protect by a special harvest license at selected lakes. Special harvest license applications are generally available between March and April. Walleye's main forage is bait fish and insects and can be caught by either angling or fly fishing. They are very aggressive feeders and usually hunt in schools, so if you catch one, you will most likely catch more.
Diet: bait fish, insects
Habitat: lakes, rivers
Breeding: spring when water temperatures are between 5-11 degrees celsius
Alberta Record: 15lb 8oz
Life Span: 10 years
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Yellow perch
Yellow Perch Identification
A. golden yellow or green
B. needle-like spines on the dorsal fins
C. broad dark vertical bands on the sides
Yellow Perch Description
Yellow perch are popular among young anglers and are easily found throughout Alberta, with the exception of the Eastern Slopes where their presence is scattered. Despite their popularity, they threaten trout populations when they are illegally introduced to environments where they compete with trout.
Diet: small organisms, insects, small fish
Habitat: weeds, shallows
Breeding: Spring
Alberta Record: 2lb 15.5oz
Life Span: 13 years
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