CatchRules

Home › Regulations › Waterbodies › Bow River

Waterbody · Alberta

Bow River Fishing Regulations 2026

Bow River fishing regulations: 604 current rules from Environment & Protected Areas. Anglers target brown trout, rainbow trout, bull trout.

Environment & Protected AreasOfficial source

Rules (604)

Environment & Protected Areas regulates 604 rules across 17 species at this water.

Trout

Bow River
Daily bag
2 trout
A La Peche Lake
Daily bag
5 fish
Abraham Lake
Daily bag
5 fish
Alford Creek
Daily bag
2 fish
Allstones Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Baptiste Lake
Daily bag
5 fish
Baptiste RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Battle CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Battle RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Battle River Mainstem From Downstream Of The Forestburg Reservoir And TributariesClosed
Status
Closed
Battle River Mainstem From Hwy. 771 Downstream To Hwy. 855Closed
Status
Closed
Battle River Mainstem From Hwy. 855 Downstream To The Forestburg ReservoirClosed
Status
Closed
Bear LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Beaver Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Berry Creek Mainstem Including All TributariesClosed
Status
Closed
Bighorn River
Daily bag
2 fish
Birch LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Blackstone RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Blindman River Mainstem Including All TributariesClosed
Status
Closed
Blue LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Season opens
May 15
Season closes
Mar 31
Daily bag
2 fish
Min size
40 cm
Gear
Bait Allowed
Bolloque Lake
Daily bag
1 fish
Brazeau Canal
Daily bag
3 fish
Brazeau Reservoir
Daily bag
5 fish
Brazeau River Mainstem Downstream Of Brazeau Reservoir
Daily bag
2 fish
Brazeau River Mainstem Downstream Of The Forestry Trunk Road (Bridge At 6-16-45-18-W5) To The Brazeau ReservoirClosed
Status
Closed
Brazeau River Mainstem Upstream Of Forestry Trunk Road (Bridge At 6-16-45-18-W5) And Tributaries (Except Cardinal River), Outside Of Jasper National Park
Daily bag
2 fish
Burnstick Lake
Daily bag
5 fish
Burnt Timber Creek Mainstem And Tributaries (Except Pinto Creek)
Daily bag
2 fish
Busby LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
2 fish
Cache LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Cardinal River Mainstem And TributariesClosed
Status
Closed
Chip LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Clear Creek Mainstem And Tributaries
Daily bag
2 fish
Clearwater River Mainstem From Forestry Trunk Road (Bridge At 5-35-09-W5) Downstream To The North Saskatchewan RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Clearwater River Mainstem From The Banff National Park Boundary Downstream To Timber CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Clearwater River Mainstem From Timber Creek Downstream To The Forestry Trunk Road (Bridge At 5-35-09-W5) And Tributaries (Except Elk Creek)Closed
Status
Closed
Clearwater River Tributaries From The Banff National Park Boundary Downstream To And Including Timber CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Cline River Mainstem And Tributaries Downstream To The Highway 11 (Cline River) Bridge Except Tributaries To Coral Lake, Pinto Lake, All Water Within The White Goat Wilderness Area And The Outlet Of Pinto Lake For 1.5 Km Downstream.Closed
Status
Closed
Coral Lake
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
35 cm
over 35 cm
County Sportplex PondClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Cow Lake
Daily bag
5 fish
Crooked LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Deep Valley Creek Mainstem Including TributariesClosed
Status
Closed
Devil’s Fork (Unnamed) Creek 4-45-16-W5; Tributary To Brazeau RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Dogpound Creek Mainstem And Tributaries
Daily bag
2 fish
Dormer Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Eagle Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Elk Creek Mainstem And Tributaries; 33-35-12-W5
Daily bag
2 fish
Embarras Pit LakesClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Entry Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
ES1 Lakes
Daily bag
5 fish
ES1 StreamsClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
2 fish
ES2 Lakes
Daily bag
5
ES2 StreamsClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
2
ES4 - Lakes, Reservoirs And Ponds
Daily bag
5 fish
ES4 - Rivers, Creeks And StreamsClosed
Status
Closed
Fall Creek Mainstem And Tribuatries; Upstream Of The Falls At 11-31-37-11-W5
Daily bag
2 fish
Fallentimber Creek Mainstem And Tributaries Downstream Of The Falls At 11-31-37-11-W5Closed
Status
Closed
Fickle LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Fiesta LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Fish CreekCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
New catch-and-release regulations for trout on select Bow River spawning tributaries
Fishing Lake
Daily bag
3 fish
Gap LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Gleniffer Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Goose Lake
Daily bag
5 fish
Graburn CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Graveyard LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Gregg LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Horseshoe LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Ice Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Iosegun LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Ironside Pond
Daily bag
2 fish
Jackfish LakeClosed
Status
Closed
James River Mainstem And Tributaries
Daily bag
2 fish
Jarvis LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Job (Wilson Or Blue) LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Jumping Fish (Unnamed) Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Kakwa River Mainstem Including Tributaries Except Lynx CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Kinglet Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Lac Des RochesClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Lac La Biche Trout Pond Alexander Hamilton Pond
Daily bag
3 fish
Lake Of Falls
Daily bag
2 fish
Lakes
Daily bag
5 fish
Landslide LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Lee CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
2 trout
Legal Reservoir
Daily bag
5 fish
Little Red Deer River Headwater Downstream To Twp. Rd. 352 (Cottonwood Road) And Tributaries Except Dogpound Creek. See PP2 For Little Red Deer River Downstream Of Twp. Rd. 352.Closed
Status
Closed
Little Red Deer River Mainstem From Cottonwood Road (Twp. Rd. 352) Downstream To Red Deer River; Includes All TributariesClosed
Status
Closed
Little Smoky RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Little Smoky River Mainstem; Downstream Of Hwy. 43Closed
Status
Closed
Lodgepole (Unnamed) PondClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Long LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
5 trout
Min size
35 cm
only 2 TGTR over 35 cm
Lost Guide Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Lovett LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Lynx CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Lynx Creek Mainstem And TributariesClosed
Status
Closed
Mainstem And TributariesClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
2 fish
Mainstem And Tributaries (Except Pinto Creek)
Daily bag
2 fish
Mainstem And Tributaries Downstream Of Crescent FallsClosed
Status
Closed
Mainstem And Tributaries Upstream Of Crescent Falls
Daily bag
2 fish
Mainstem And Tributaries Upstream Of Forestry Trunk Road (Bridge At 6-16-45-18-W5) And Tributaries (Except Cardinal River), Outside Of Jasper National ParkClosed
Status
Closed
Mainstem And Tributaries Upstream Of Mons Creek Including Mons Creek
Daily bag
2 fish
Mainstem Downstream Of Brazeau ReservoirClosed
Status
Closed
Mainstem Downstream Of Mons Creek And Tributaries (Except Rundell Creek)Closed
Status
Closed
Mainstem Downstream Of The Forestry Trunk Road (Bridge At 6-16-45-18-W5) To The Brazeau Reservoir
Daily bag
2 fish
Mainstem From The Banff National Park Boundary Downstream To Timber CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Mainstem From Timber Creek Downstream To The Forestry TrClosed
Status
Closed
McVinnie Reservoir
Daily bag
5 fish
Medicine River Mainstem Including All TributariesClosed
Status
Closed
Meekwap Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Michel Creek Reservoir
Daily bag
5 fish
Michele (Upper And Lower) LakesClosed
Status
Closed
Millers LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Minnow LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Muskeg River
Daily bag
5 fish
Muskiki Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Mystery LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
NB1 Default Sportfishing Regulations - Lakes
Daily bag
3 fish
NB1 Default Sportfishing Regulations - Streams
Daily bag
2 fish
NB2 - Lakes, Reservoirs And Ponds
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
NB2 Default Sportfishing Regulations - Lakes
Daily bag
3 fish
NB2 Default Sportfishing Regulations - Streams
Daily bag
2 fish
Nordegg River Mainstem And TributariesClosed
Status
Closed
North Ram River Mainstem And TributariesClosed
Status
Closed
North Raven River Stauffer Creek; Mainstem And TributariesClosed
Status
Closed
North Saskatchewan River Mainstem And Tributaries From Banff National Park Boundary Downstream To Abraham Lake (2-18-36-17-W5) And Tributaries Including Tributaries To And Siffleur River
Daily bag
2 fish
North Saskatchewan River Mainstem Downstream Hwy. 22/39 (Drayton Valley) To The Alberta/ Saskatchewan BorderClosed
Status
Closed
North Saskatchewan River Tributaries (Excluding The Sturgeon River; See Redwater River In NB1); From Hwy. 22/39 Downstream To The Alberta/ Saskatchewan BorderClosed
Status
Closed
Obstruction Lakes
Daily bag
2 fish
Outpost (Police) Lake
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
50 cm
Parlby Creek 23-40-22-W4; Portion Between Bufalo And Alix LakesClosed
Status
Closed
Pierre Greys LakesClosed
Status
Closed
Possession
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Pinto Creek Mainstem From Bighorn Dam Downstream To Hwy 22/39
Daily bag
2 fish
Pinto LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Pit 24 LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Pit 35 LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Pit 44 LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Pit 45 LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
PP1 Lakes And Streams
Daily bag
5 fish
PP1 Streams
Daily bag
2 fish
PP2 Default Sportfshing Regulations - Lakes
Daily bag
5
PP2 Default Sportfshing Regulations - Streams
Daily bag
2
Prairie Creek Tributaries From Bighorn Dam Downstream To Hwy 22/39 (Except Baptiste River, Bighorn River, Brazeau River, Clearwater River, Ram River, Wolf Creek And Washout Creek)Closed
Status
Closed
Provincial Regulations For Put And Take Stocked LakesOpen
Status
Open
Daily bag
5 fish
all year of any size
Ram River 35-29-10-W5; Tributary To North Burnt Timber Creek; Mainstem And Tributaries
Daily bag
2 fish
Raspberry LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Raven Brood Trout Station Mainstem Upstream Of The North Fork Road And All Tributaries (Except Swan Creek And Tributaries Between Vetch And Swan Creek)Closed
Status
Closed
Raven River The Portion Of The Mainstem And Tributaries Between Vetch And Swan CreeksClosed
Status
Closed
Red Deer River Mainstem And Tributaries From Tolman Bridge (Sec. Hwy. 585) Downstream To The Alberta/ Saskatchewan BorderClosed
Status
Closed
Red Deer River Mainstem From Dickson Dam Downstream To The Tolman Bridge (Hwy. 585) Including All Named And Unnamed Tributaries (Excluding Medicine River) (Sec. Hwy. 585 [14-33-22-W4])Closed
Status
Closed
Red Deer River The Remainder Of The Mainstem Downstream Of The North Fork Road (Except The Portion Between Vetch And Swan Creeks)Closed
Status
Closed
Reesor Lake
Daily bag
5 fish
Resolute Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Rock LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Ruby Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Rundell Creek Also Known As South Ram River; Mainstem And Tributaries (Except Fall Creek)Closed
Status
Closed
Sheep RiverCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
New catch-and-release regulations for trout on select Bow River spawning tributaries
Shiningbank LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Sifeur Wilderness AreaClosed
Status
Closed
Siffleur River Sw-5-36-5-W5; All Water WithinClosed
Status
Closed
Siffleur Wilderness Area Mainstem And Tributaries Except North Raven River (Stauffer Creek)Closed
Status
Closed
Silkstone LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Simonette RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Simonette River Mainstem Including Tributaries Except Deep Valley CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Smoke LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Smoky RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Smoky River Headwater Downstream To Hwy. 43 And Tributaries Except Kakwa, Muskeg, Simonette RiversClosed
Status
Closed
Possession
2 fish
Snipe LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Specific Streams
Gear
Maggots
only maggots may be used as bait during certain times of the year to allow anglers to fish for mountain whitefish with less impact on trout populations
Sphinx (Unnamed) LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Spruce Coulee Reservoir
Daily bag
5 fish
St. Mary River
Daily bag
2 trout
Sturgeon River From Big Lake Downstream To Sec. Hwy. 825Closed
Status
Closed
Sturgeon River From Headwater Downstream To Big LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Sturgeon River From Sec. Hwy. 825 Downstream To North Saskatchewan RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Sundance LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Swan Creek Mainstem And Tributaries From Banff National Park Boundary Downstream To The Forestry Trunk Road (13-31-10-W5)
Daily bag
2 fish
Swan Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Sylvan Creek Ne-11-38-28-W4; Includes Cygnet LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Tay River Mainstem From Forestry Trunk Road Downstream To Gleniffer (Reservoir) Lake And Tributaries (Except Fallentimber Creek, Raven River, North Raven River And Pinto Creek)
Daily bag
2 fish
Threepoint CreekCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
New catch-and-release regulations for trout on select Bow River spawning tributaries
Torrens RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Torrens River Mainstem Including TributariesClosed
Status
Closed
Tributaries From The Banff National Park Boundary Downstream To And Including Timber Creek
Daily bag
2 fish
Wapiti RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Wapiti River Mainstem Including TributariesClosed
Status
Closed
Ware CreekCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
New catch-and-release regulations for trout on select Bow River spawning tributaries
White Goat Wilderness AreaClosed
Status
Closed
Wolf LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Alberta statewideClosed
Status
Prohibited
Possession
5 fish
Spears or bows cannot be used to harvest trout combined

Rainbow Trout

Elbow River Mainstem, Hwy. 22 Downstream To Glenmore Reservoir And Tributaries
Possession
1 fish
Min size
35 cm
Kananaskis River Headwater Downstream To Hwy. 1 Including Tributaries Except Smith-Dorrien CreekClosed
Status
Closed
A La Peche LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Athabasca RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Athabasca River Upstream Of Sec. Rd. 658 (Near Whitecourt) To Jasper National Park Boundary Mainstem River Only (Including Brule Lake)Closed
Status
Closed
Baptiste Lake
Daily bag
5 fish
Bear LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Belly River Mainstem And Tributaries; Downstream Of Sec. Rd. 800
Possession
1 fish
Min size
35 cm
Berland RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Berland River Mainstem Only - Downstream Of Hwy 40Closed
Status
Closed
Bigoray RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Blood Indian Creek ReservoirOpen
Status
Permitted
no size limit
Blue LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
2 fish
Busby LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Cache LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Castle River
Min size
35 cm
Castle River Mainstem From Hwy. 3 To West Castle River And Includes Tributaries Except Mill, Beaver Mines, And Screwdriver Creeks And Carbondale River
Possession
1 fish
Min size
35 cm
Chain (Lower) LakeOpen
Status
Open
Daily bag
2 fish
Gear
Bait Allowed
any size
Chip LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Crowsnest River All Tributaries Of Crowsnest River Except Gold CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Deerlick CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Dismal CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Embarras Pit LakesClosed
Status
Closed
Embarras RiverClosed
Status
Closed
ES1 Streams
Min size
35 cm
Eunice CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Fickle LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Graveyard LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Gregg LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Gregg RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Horseshoe LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Jarvis LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Lac Des RochesClosed
Status
Closed
Lee Creek
Min size
30 cm
Livingstone RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Lobstick RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Lodgepole (Unnamed) PondClosed
Status
Closed
Long LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Lovett LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Lower Kananaskis Lake
Min size
50 cm
Luscar CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Mackenzie CreekClosed
Status
Closed
McLeod River Mainstem Only; Headwater Downstream To Hwy 47Closed
Status
Closed
McLeod River Mainstem Only; Hwy 47 Downstream To The Athabasca RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Medley River
Daily bag
5 fish
Millers LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Millers Lake 8-53-19-W5
Daily bag
2 fish
Minnow LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Mystery LakeClosed
Status
Closed
NB1 - Rivers, Creeks And Streams
Daily bag
5 fish
NB2 - Lakes, Reservoirs And Ponds
Daily bag
5 fish
Oldman Reservoir Dam Downstream To Sec. Rd. 509
Possession
1 fish
Min size
35 cm
Oldman River
Min size
35 cm
Oldman River Mainstem - Hwy. 22 Downstream To Sec. Rd. 510
Possession
1 fish
Min size
35 cm
Pit 24 LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Pit 35 LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Pit 44 LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Pit 45 LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Rock LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Schuman Lake
Daily bag
5 fish
Shiningbank LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Silkstone LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Sphinx (Unnamed) LakeClosed
Status
Closed
St. Mary River
Min size
35 cm
Sundance LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Waterton River Mainstem - Upstream Of Waterton ReservoirClosed
Status
Closed
Waterton River Mainstem And Tributaries - Downstream Of Waterton Reservoir
Possession
1 fish
Min size
35 cm
Waterton River Tributaries Upstream Of Waterton Reservoir Including Drywood CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Willow Creek Mainstem Only Downstream Of Pine Coulee Reservoir Diversion HeadpondClosed
Status
Closed
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30 cm
Willow Creek Mainstream And Tributaries Upstream Of Pine Coulee Reservoir Diversion Headpond.Closed
Status
Closed
Wolf LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Alberta statewide
Daily bag
5 fish/day
Possession
5 fish
combined with Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Lake Trout

Brook Trout

Kananaskis River
Daily bag
2 fish
Kananaskis River Mainstem From Hwy. 1 Downstream To Bow River
Possession
2 fish
Highwood River Headwater Originating At Storm Ck And Mist Ck Confuence Downstream To Kananaskis Country Boundary; Includes Tributaries Except Storm Creek
Possession
2 fish
Elbow River Headwater Downstream To Elbow Falls And Tributaries Except Quirk Creek
Possession
2 fish
Kananaskis River Headwater Downstream To Hwy. 1 Including Tributaries Except Smith-Dorrien Creek
Possession
2 fish
Athabasca River
Daily bag
2 fish
Athabasca River Upstream Of Sec. Rd. 658 (Near Whitecourt) To Jasper National Park Boundary Mainstem River Only (Including Brule Lake)Closed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
2 fish
Bear Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Belly River
Daily bag
2 fish
Berland RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Bigoray RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Blood Indian Creek Reservoir
Min size
35 cm
Blue LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Bolloque Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Boulton Creek
Daily bag
2 fish
Busby LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Cache LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Canmore Creek
Possession
2 fish
Chip LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Crowsnest River All Tributaries Of Crowsnest River Except Gold Creek
Possession
1 fish
Deerlick CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Dismal CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Embarras Pit Lakes
Daily bag
2 fish
Embarras River
Daily bag
2 fish
Eunice CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Fickle LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Gold Creek
Possession
2 fish
Graveyard Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Gregg LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Gregg River
Daily bag
2 fish
Horseshoe LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Jarvis LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Jumpingpound Creek
Daily bag
2 fish
Possession
2 fish
Lily Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Livingstone River
Daily bag
2 fish
Lobstick RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Luscar CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Mackenzie CreekClosed
Status
Closed
McLeod River Mainstem Only; Headwater Downstream To Hwy 47Closed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
2 fish
McLeod River Mainstem Only; Hwy 47 Downstream To The Athabasca River
Daily bag
2 fish
Mill Creek
Daily bag
2 fish
Mill Creek Includes Tributaries Including Gladstone And Whitney Creeks
Possession
2 fish
Oldman Reservoir Dam Downstream To Sec. Rd. 509
Possession
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Policeman Creek
Daily bag
2 fish
Possession
2 fish
Waiparous Creek
Possession
2 fish
Waterton River Mainstem - Upstream Of Waterton Reservoir
Possession
1 fish
Waterton River Mainstem And Tributaries - Downstream Of Waterton ReservoirClosed
Status
Closed
Waterton River Tributaries Upstream Of Waterton Reservoir Including Drywood Creek
Possession
1 fish
Willow Creek Mainstream And Tributaries Upstream Of Pine Coulee Reservoir Diversion Headpond.
Possession
2 fish
Alberta statewide
Daily bag
5 fish/day
Possession
5 fish
combined with Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Lake Trout

All Species

Elbow RiverOut of season
Season opens
Jun 16
Season closes
Aug 31
Gear
Bait Ban
Highwood RiverOut of season
Season opens
Jun 16
Season closes
Oct 31
Gear
Bait Ban
Kananaskis RiverOut of season
Season opens
Sep 1
Season closes
Oct 31
Gear
Bait Ban
Bow RiverOpen
Status
Open
Gear
Bait Ban
OPEN ALL YEAR
Carseland-Bow River Headwater CanalIn season
Season opens
May 8
Season closes
Mar 15
Gear
Bait Allowed
Little Bow RiverOut of season
Season opens
Jun 16
Season closes
Aug 31
Gear
Bait Allowed
Elbow River Mainstem, Elbow Falls Downstream To Canyon CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Elbow River Mainstem, Hwy. 22 Downstream To Glenmore Reservoir And TributariesOut of season
Season opens
Jun 16
Season closes
Oct 31
Possession
2 trout
Gear
No Live Bait
Elbow River Mainstem, Canyon Creek Downstream To Hwy. 22Closed
Status
Closed
Season opens
Jun 16
Season closes
Oct 31
Gear
No Live Bait
Bow River Banff National Park Downstream To Bassano Dam Including ReservoirClosed
Status
Closed
Gear
No Live Bait
Elbow River Headwater Downstream To Elbow Falls And Tributaries Except Quirk CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Season opens
Jun 16
Season closes
Oct 31
Gear
No Live Bait
Other trout
Kananaskis River Headwater Downstream To Hwy. 1 Including Tributaries Except Smith-Dorrien CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Season opens
Sep 1
Season closes
Oct 31
Possession
2 trout
Gear
No Live Bait
Other trout
Elbow River Mainstem, From Glenmore Reservoir Downstream To Bow RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Gear
No Live Bait
Highwood River Mainstem From K-Country Boundary Downstream To 500m Above The Mouth & Tributaries Except Sheep RClosed
Status
Closed
Season opens
Jun 16
Season closes
Oct 31
Gear
No Live Bait
Kananaskis River Mainstem From Hwy. 1 Downstream To Bow RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Gear
No Live Bait
Other trout
Highwood River Headwater Originating At Storm Ck And Mist Ck Confuence Downstream To Kananaskis Country Boundary; Includes Tributaries Except Storm CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Season opens
Sep 1
Season closes
Oct 31
Gear
No Live Bait
Other trout
Sheep River Mainstem And Tributaries (Except Threepoint Creek) - Gorge Creek Downstream To Highwood RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Season opens
Jun 16
Season closes
Oct 31
Gear
No Live Bait
Highwood River Mainstem Within 500m Of Bow RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Gear
No Live Bait

Cutthroat Trout

Elbow River Mainstem, Hwy. 22 Downstream To Glenmore Reservoir And Tributaries
Possession
1 fish
Min size
35 cm
Kananaskis River Headwater Downstream To Hwy. 1 Including Tributaries Except Smith-Dorrien CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Bear Pond
Min size
30 cm
Belly River Mainstem And Tributaries; Downstream Of Sec. Rd. 800
Possession
1 fish
Min size
35 cm
Castle River
Min size
35 cm
Castle River Mainstem From Hwy. 3 To West Castle River And Includes Tributaries Except Mill, Beaver Mines, And Screwdriver Creeks And Carbondale River
Possession
1 fish
Min size
35 cm
Crowsnest River All Tributaries Of Crowsnest River Except Gold CreekClosed
Status
Closed
ES1 Streams
Min size
35 cm
Ghost ReservoirClosed
Status
Closed
Lee Creek
Min size
30 cm
Livingstone RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Oldman Reservoir Dam Downstream To Sec. Rd. 509
Possession
1 fish
Min size
35 cm
Oldman River
Min size
35 cm
Oldman River Mainstem - Hwy. 22 Downstream To Sec. Rd. 510
Possession
1 fish
Min size
35 cm
St. Mary River
Min size
35 cm
WaterOpen
Status
Permitted
illegally caught fish dumped into water
Waterton River Mainstem - Upstream Of Waterton ReservoirClosed
Status
Closed
Waterton River Mainstem And Tributaries - Downstream Of Waterton Reservoir
Possession
1 fish
Min size
35 cm
Waterton River Tributaries Upstream Of Waterton Reservoir Including Drywood CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Willow Creek Mainstem Only Downstream Of Pine Coulee Reservoir Diversion HeadpondClosed
Status
Closed
Possession
1 fish
Min size
30 cm
Willow Creek Mainstream And Tributaries Upstream Of Pine Coulee Reservoir Diversion Headpond.Closed
Status
Closed
Alberta statewideCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
Daily bag
5 fish/day
Possession
5 fish
All Cutthroat Trout caught must be immediately released

Mountain Whitefish

Carseland-Bow River Headwater Canal
Daily bag
5 fish
Min size
30 cm
5 over 30 cm
Little Bow River
Daily bag
5 fish
Min size
30 cm
5 over 30 cm
Bow River
Daily bag
5 fish
Min size
30 cm
over 30 cm
Elbow River
Daily bag
5 fish
over 30 cm
Kananaskis RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
5 fsh
over 30 cm
Highwood RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Bow River Banff National Park Downstream To Bassano Dam Including ReservoirClosed
Status
Closed
Elbow River Headwater Downstream To Elbow Falls And Tributaries Except Quirk CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Highwood River Mainstem Within 500m Of Bow RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Elbow River Mainstem, Canyon Creek Downstream To Hwy. 22Closed
Status
Closed
Highwood River Mainstem From K-Country Boundary Downstream To 500m Above The Mouth & Tributaries Except Sheep R
Min size
30 cm
Highwood River Headwater Originating At Storm Ck And Mist Ck Confuence Downstream To Kananaskis Country Boundary; Includes Tributaries Except Storm CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Min size
30 cm
Elbow River Mainstem, From Glenmore Reservoir Downstream To Bow RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Elbow River Mainstem, Hwy. 22 Downstream To Glenmore Reservoir And Tributaries
Min size
30 cm
Kananaskis River Headwater Downstream To Hwy. 1 Including Tributaries Except Smith-Dorrien CreekClosed
Status
Closed
Min size
30 cm
Kananaskis River Mainstem From Hwy. 1 Downstream To Bow River
Min size
30 cm
Sheep River Mainstem And Tributaries (Except Threepoint Creek) - Gorge Creek Downstream To Highwood River
Min size
30 cm

Tiger Trout

Baptiste LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Blood Indian Creek Reservoir
Min size
35 cm
Blue LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Chain (Lower) LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Gear
Bait Allowed
Lily LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Millers Lake 8-53-19-W5
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Muskwa Lake
Daily bag
2 fish
Min size
35 cm
NB2 - Lakes, Reservoirs And PondsClosed
Status
Closed
Reesor Lake
Min size
50 cm
Schuman LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Twin Lakes 29-97-22-W5
Daily bag
2 fish
Min size
35 cm
only 2 TGTR over 35 cm
Alberta statewide
Possession
5 fish

Brown Trout

Baptiste LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Min size
50 cm
Blood Indian Creek Reservoir
Min size
35 cm
Chain (Lower) LakeClosed
Status
Closed
Gear
Bait Allowed
Crowsnest River All Tributaries Of Crowsnest River Except Gold Creek
Possession
1 fish
Michel Creek Reservoir
Min size
35 cm
Millers Lake 8-53-19-W5
Daily bag
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Waterton River Mainstem - Upstream Of Waterton Reservoir
Possession
1 fish
Min size
40 cm
Waterton River Mainstem And Tributaries - Downstream Of Waterton ReservoirClosed
Status
Closed
Waterton River Tributaries Upstream Of Waterton Reservoir Including Drywood Creek
Possession
1 fish
Alberta statewide
Daily bag
5 fish/day
Possession
5 fish
combined with Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Lake Trout

Walleye

Bow River Banff National Park Downstream To Bassano Dam Including ReservoirClosed
Status
Closed
Bow RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
3 fish
Min size
50 cm
Carseland-Bow River Headwater Canal
Daily bag
1 fish
Slot min
50 cm
Slot max
55 cm
Little Bow River
Daily bag
3 fish
Min size
50 cm
Elbow River Mainstem, From Glenmore Reservoir Downstream To Bow RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Highwood River Mainstem Within 500m Of Bow RiverClosed
Status
Closed

Bull Trout

Across The ProvinceClosed
Status
Closed
IF YOU CATCH THIS FISH YOU MUST RELEASE IT.
ES1 LakesClosed
Status
Closed
ES1 StreamsClosed
Status
Closed
ES2 LakesClosed
Status
Closed
ES2 StreamsClosed
Status
Closed
ES4 - Lakes, Reservoirs And PondsClosed
Status
Closed
ES4 - Rivers, Creeks And StreamsClosed
Status
Closed
LakesClosed
Status
Closed
StreamsClosed
Status
Closed
Alberta statewideCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
All Bull Trout caught must be immediately released

Northern Pike

Bow RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
3 fish
Min size
63 cm
Carseland-Bow River Headwater CanalClosed
Status
Closed
Little Bow River
Daily bag
3 fish
Min size
63 cm
Bow River Banff National Park Downstream To Bassano Dam Including ReservoirClosed
Status
Closed
Highwood River Mainstem Within 500m Of Bow RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Elbow River Mainstem, From Glenmore Reservoir Downstream To Bow RiverClosed
Status
Closed

Trout Total

Bow RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Daily bag
2 trout
Highwood RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Kananaskis RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Elbow RiverClosed
Status
Closed
Little Bow River
Daily bag
2 trout
Min size
35 cm
over 35 cm
Carseland-Bow River Headwater Canal
Daily bag
2 trout

Plus 5 more species. See the Alberta pillar page for the full list.

FAQ

Who regulates fishing on Bow River?

Environment & Protected Areas regulates fishing on Bow River.

What species can I target on Bow River?

Bow River is best known for brown trout, rainbow trout, bull trout. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.

Where should I verify these rules?

These rules summarize Environment & Protected Areas's published content. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.

Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch.

← All famous waterbodies