Summer is for fishing. It’s one of our favourite past-times for a reason – there’s nothing like spending a day out in the sun with the tranquil sounds of the water surrounding you. Alberta has fantastic fishing experiences waiting for you, with up to 10 species lurking in over 100 lakes, ponds and rivers. With that in mind, we’ve assembled a dream sampling of some great spots East of Edmonton you should check out for your next fishing outing. Before you head out, we suggest you make sure to check our complete list of fishing spots and grab the iFish Alberta app so you can keep up with last-minute changes, fishing reviews and updates. Let’s get into it.
Fishing Charters and Boat Rentals
Calling all Adventure-seekers! One great way to experience Alberta waters you haven’t visited is with the help of an expert or two – might we suggest Hamilton House? This charming bed and breakfast offers chartered fishing tours on Cold Lake. With two boats and all the gear you need for a fishing rendezvous, they’ll give you an expert introduction to fishing.
Over in Bonnyville, L&D Rentals offers boat rentals. Whether you’re looking to hit the nearest lake in a boat or a SeaDoo – L&D has what you’re looking for, with free delivery to Moose Lake thrown in. They have a variety of rental options, including a 16’ Legend Fishing Boat, complete with rod holders!
Camping & Fishing
Camping and fishing, can you name a better set of things that go well together? Fortunately there’s tons of campgrounds in East Central Alberta where you can combine the two past-times. Check out the Town of Coronation; their campground is located alongside the Coronation Dam and features 11 fully serviced sites, with five of them having power and water. At the Dam, you can also find a plethora of rainbow trout and northern pike year-round as well as a boat launch area.
Other campgrounds to check out in the area include Flagstaff County’s Diplomat Trout Pond. Surrounded by wildlife and including a nature trail, lakeside gazebo and interpretive site paying homage to Alberta’s history in oil, the Diplomat Trout Pond promises more than just a run-of-the-mill fishing experience. There’s also the Huber Dam Campground where campers can play some serious catch-and-release with rainbow trout, and Killam Town Pond, home to a relaxing campground complete with a ball diamond, picnic shelter, hiking trails and a pond for your fishing pleasure.
Located northeast of Edmonton is the Smoky Lake region – it’s home to a lot of lakes and plenty of water-related fun. At Metis Crossing, the only historic site of its kind in Alberta, you can access the boat launch to head out for a day of fishing on the North Saskatchewan River. Bellis Beach Lake is a great family campground and its trout pond is also accessible in the winter if you fancy some ice fishing. Kaduk Lake is great for nature fans looking for some peace and quiet. Lastly, Garner Lake Provincial Park offers a myriad of water fun within its grounds such as powerboating, sailing, water skiing and year-round fishing.
East down Highway 16, you’ll find the Vegreville Trout Pond, just south of the town limits. It’s a man-made pond home to plenty of birds and trout. Enough to make a voyage to this awesome pond a worthy one.
Trophy Game
Besides the aforementioned chartered services and boat rentals, the Bonnyville and Cold Lake regions are fantastic for its trophy fishing resources. There are fourteen lakes in the region to try your luck but the two that are a must-visit are Moose Lake and Cold Lake. It’s where fishers go looking for big game; Cold Lake was where the provincial record for the largest lake trout was recorded when a whopping 23.9-kilogram fish was pulled from the waters in 1929.
Another area you can visit for world-class fishing is the North Saskatchewan River itself. There’s plenty of burbots, goldeye, mountain whitefish, northern pike, walleye and lake sturgeon found in the river. You can access the river at any available bridge crossing. If you’re looking for a wide range of fish, try heading to Redwater where their river meets with the North Saskatchewan and you can have a go at suckerfish, walleye, sauger, pike, burbot or lake sturgeon. Highway 38, also known as Vinca Bridge, is another hotspot for fishing adventures.
In Thorhild County, a great fishing spot to consider is Long Lake Provincial Park. The lake is home to pike, whitefish, yellow perch and walleyes and it is a fantastic place to take the family thanks to its campground amenities such as volleyball nets, horseshoe pits, playgrounds and boat launches. There’s also Half Moon Lake, a picture-perfect resort that allows small fishing boats to take to its waters. Lastly, trout fans can rejoice; Radway’s fishing pond is a worthwhile stop for trout, continuously stocked by the ACA. If you’re looking for rainbow trout, venture south. The Lamont Fish Pond is also home to a great population of trout, refreshed every year before the May Long Weekend and you can be sure to find more in nearby Nampei Creek Reservoir.
Rules and Regulations – First things first, a fishing license is required but super easy to obtain! Simply go to www.albertarelm.com and follow the steps. Before you head out on the lakes, rivers or ponds be sure to read up on the fishing regulations! You can download a copy here or pick one up throughout the region.
- Looking for a place to stay? For a campground? See our blog!
If a hotel is more your style, here are a few great places to stay…
Lamont Heartland Hotel
Vegreville Pomeroy
Smoky Lake Super 8
Redwater Paradise Inn
Cold Lake Waterfront Harbour Bed & Breakfast
Cold Lake Hamilton House
Cold Lake Marriott Hotel at Casino Dene
Sherwood Park Hotels
Sherwood Park – Park Centre & Hotel
Canalta Hotels
Need more info? We are happy to help you plan a trip. Please feel free to contact our Go East of Edmonton team at 1-888-632-8755.
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