Store owner Nick Schlachter with another fine bull trout.
Store owner Nick Schlachter with another fine bull trout.

7 fishing hot spots in Alberta’s high country

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Situated in Alberta’s glorious Upper Bow Valley, Canmore’s Wapiti Sports and Outfittersoffers fishing and hunting gear, plus guided ice-fishing trips, floats on the Bow and casting clinics. Owner Nick Schlachter and his entire staff—including store dog Judd—are dedicated anglers or hunters. Here are their hot spots.

More info: Wapiti Sports and Outfitters, (403) 678-5550, www.wapitisports.com

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GROTTO MOUNTAIN POND, ALBERTA

GPS: 51.066, -115.203

FISH: Rainbow trout

HIGHLIGHT: Stocked lake; good for kids, with plenty of fish

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WHEN: May and September

LAKE MINNEWANKA, ALBERTA

GPS: 51.270, -115.374

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FISH: Lake trout, whitefish

HIGHLIGHT: Good fishing, and big fish

WHEN: Late May to Labour Day

OLDMAN RIVER, ALBERTA

GPS: 49.749, -112.996

FISH: Brown, bull, cutthroat and rainbow trout

HIGHLIGHT: Good fly action

WHEN: Summer

SPRAY LAKES RESERVOIR, ALBERTA

GPS: 50.922, -115.339

FISH: Lake trout

HIGHLIGHT: Great scenery and trout action, in both summer and ice season

WHEN: Year-round

ST. MARY RIVER, ALBERTA

GPS: 49.226, -113.265

FISH: Cutthroat and rainbow trout

HIGHLIGHT: Good dry-fly fishing

WHEN: Summer

UPPER & LOWER KANANASKIS LAKES, ALBERTA

GPS: 50.636, -115.133

FISH: Bull, cutthroat and rainbow trout

HIGHLIGHT: Big bulls in amazing scenery

WHEN: Year-round

UPPER BOW RIVER, ALBERTA

GPS: 51.088, -115.367

FISH: Brown trout

HIGHLIGHT: Great action with lots of quiet spots to fish

WHEN: April to October

Store owner Nick Schlachter with another fine bull trout.
Store owner Nick Schlachter with another fine bull trout.

Check out our cross-Canada list of hot angling destinations