FISH SPECIES
Fish Species in Alberta
Native trout, introduced trout, whitefish and grayling: what lives in Alberta’s waters, how to recognise it and where to find it. A guide’s notes.
Alberta fly fishing
Fish species you can target in Alberta
From native westslope cutthroat to bull trout, rainbows and browns, here is what lives in Alberta’s rivers, how to recognise it, where and when to find it, and how to treat it. Every page is written from a guide’s point of view.
Cutthroat Trout
Alberta’s native mountain trout, marked by a red-orange slash.
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Rainbow Trout
Fast water, hard runs and acrobatic fights.
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Brown Trout
Wary, selective and rewarding for patient anglers.
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Brook Trout
The most colourful trout, in small foothill streams.
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Bull Trout
Alberta’s official fish and top predator. Release only.
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Lake Trout
Long-lived giants of deep, cold lakes.
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Golden Trout
The most colourful trout, in remote high lakes.
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Rocky Mountain Whitefish
The underrated river fish that rises to small flies.
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Arctic Grayling
The sail-finned fish of northern rivers.
Learn more →Species at a glance
| Species | Where | Best season | On our trips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cutthroat Trout | Oldman and Bow watersheds | July to September | Yes, southern Alberta rivers |
| Rainbow Trout | Bow River system and foothill rivers | Late June to October | Yes |
| Brown Trout | Bow River, foothill and Red Deer tributaries | Summer to fall | Yes |
| Brook Trout | Foothill streams and some small lakes | Summer to fall | Where the water allows |
| Bull Trout | River systems with mountain headwaters | Summer and early fall | Yes, catch and release only |
| Lake Trout | Deep, cold lakes | Spring and fall, near the surface | On request |
| Golden Trout | A few high lakes in southwestern Alberta | Summer, once the high lakes are open | On request |
| Rocky Mountain Whitefish | Most waters of western Alberta | Fall to early spring | Yes |
| Arctic Grayling | Athabasca, Hay and Peace systems | Late spring to summer | On request, where regulations allow |