Fishing in the summer
Cool off in the summer by fly fishing on the Bow River or in the deeper waters of glacial-fed lakes. If you are lucky you might hook a trophy-sized trout (rainbow and brown trout are found in local lakes and rivers) or a Jumbo Rocky (Rocky Mountain whitefish). Guided trips are available in half-, full-, or multi-day excursions and include equipment, permits, transportation, and meals.
Popular fishing locations include the upper Bow River, which is known worldwide amongst anglers for opportunities to catch lunker (large) trout, and Lake Minnewanka, located a few minutes from Banff.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing in the winter months between December and April is a unique way to spend a day quite literally chilling out with friends and family. Don’t be discouraged by the cold – booking with a guided outfitter will ensure you’re set up with all the fishing gear and warm clothing you might need as well as a heated hut on the ice to relax in. Spray Lakes are a popular ice fishing location.
Permits
Anyone fishing must have a fishing permit. Permits can be acquired from the Parks Canada offices in the Banff and Lake Louise townships. You must also abide by the seasonal fishing restrictions and catch quotas found.
Please be advised that on August 23, 2016 Whirling Disease was confirmed in fish in Johnson Lake. Parks Canada has released a full statement regarding this situation.
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Guided Fly-Fishing Tours
Guided fly fishing in the Canadian Rocky Mountains is a wise choice. With thousands of square kilometres of accessible wilderness waiting for you, they will guide you to the best, where beauty and fish abound. For many anglers, the scenery is enough to make it the experience of a lifetime. But then they cast their line.
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Banff Fishing 101:
If they say a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work, imagine what could be said about a good day of fishing in Banff National Park.
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Fishing the Backcountry
Fly fishing in the backcountry offers the fly fisherman solitude, and a rawness of nature. The opportunity to fish in waters that the vast majority of fisherman will never experience is something Banff National Park has to offer.
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One National Park: Three Ways to Fish
While beauty in nature can be found all over this beautiful planet, it’s amplified when fishing within Banff’s mountain walls. Here are three unique ways to raise your fishing game to an equally epic level.
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