How to Fish in Banff National Park in Canada

Located in the southwestern part of the Canadian province of Alberta, Banff National Park is riddled with high mountain lakes, rivers and creeks. Conditions make this park a popular destination for anglers searching for good freshwater, back-country fishing. However, Canada's national park system imposes many rules, regulations and guidelines for fishing at Banff.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step 1

Get a National Parks Fishing Permit. These are only good for the park in which they were issued, so you will need to stop by a park information center. In 2009, daily permits were $9.80 Canadian and yearly permits were $34.30 Canadian.

Step 2

Check the fishing season schedule of the particular waterway you want to fish. All of the park's rivers, lakes and streams have their own schedule, and some lakes and waterways are closed all year.
The only waterway in the park that is open year round is the Bow River from the Bow Lake outlet to the east park boundary. However, this policy does not include oxbows and tributaries of that waterway. Those tributaries are open only between July 1 and August 31.
The park has separate policies to cover ice fishing.

Step 3

Bring barbless hooks. Although not required, these are recommended by Canada's national parks service. If you don't have any, convert barbed hooks simply by clipping the barbs off with a pair of pliers.

Step 4

Leave banned tackle and bait at home. Canada's national park system bans chemical lures, edible natural baits, lead weights smaller than 50 grams (1.75 oz.), and lures with more than two gang hooks.

Step 5

Obey the daily catch limit of two fish. The fish that can be legally caught throughout Banff are, generally, Arctic grayling, brown trout, brook trout, lake trout, rainbow trout, northern pike, mountain whitefish and lake whitefish. Most other species can not be caught within the park.

Tips & Warnings

Do not catch and keep bull trout or cutthroat trout while fishing in Banff National Park. Due to a decline in the species, the park has instituted a zero-catch and no-possession limit for bull trout. If you catch one by accident, throw it back immediately.

Article Written By Edwin Thomas

Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.

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