Alberta Fishing Seasons and Limits by Watershed Unit

AI-drafted from official sources · facts checked September 30, 2026 · overseen by Pablo Ruiz Quintero · how this page was made

Alberta sets default seasons and limits for lakes and for streams in each of ten watershed units, grouped in three zones: the Eastern Slopes, the Parkland-Prairie and the Northern Boreal. Waters with their own rules are listed in each unit’s tables and win over the default. Today, Nov 9, 2026, the general closures in force are: streams in ES1: Oldman and Bow rivers; streams in ES2: Red Deer and North Saskatchewan rivers; streams in ES3: Athabasca and Pembina rivers; streams in ES4: Smoky River; streams in NB1: Beaver and Athabasca rivers, Lakeland; streams in NB2: Athabasca, Lesser Slave and Pembina rivers; streams in NB3: Peace, Hay and northern rivers; streams in NB4: Lower Athabasca, Slave and Lake Athabasca. During an open season fishing is allowed 24 hours a day unless a water says otherwise.

Eastern Slopes streams (ES1)

Closed

opens Jan 1, 2027

Parkland streams (PP2)

Open

to Mar 31, 2027

Northern lakes (NB1)

Open

to Mar 31, 2027

Northern streams (NB1)

Closed

opens Jan 1, 2027

Default seasons and limits by watershed unit

The default regulations of each unit, as printed in the 2026 guide. Limits are the most fish you may keep; “over 50 cm” is the minimum size. A listed water with no season for a period is closed for that period.

ES1: Oldman and Bow rivers

The Oldman watershed upstream of Secondary Road 509 near Coalhurst and the Bow watershed upstream of Highway 24 near Carseland, Calgary included.

Species	Closed season, as published	Open season, as published	Today
Lakes	—	Open all year	Open all year
Streams	November 1 to June 15	June 16 to October 31	Closed · opens Jan 1, 2027
Trout and mountain whitefish in streams	Limit 0 from September 1 to October 31	May be kept June 16 to August 31	May keep to Aug 31, 2027

Bait ban in all streams; bait fish only at Payne (Mami) Lake, Lees Lake and Ghost Reservoir.
No fishing through the ice into beaver ponds or flowing water.

Species	Daily quota and rules
Lakes	Lakes: open all year. Walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3; yellow perch 15; trout 5; mountain whitefish 5, over 30 cm; lake whitefish 10; burbot 10; bull trout and Arctic grayling 0.
Streams, 16 June to 31 August	Trout 2, cutthroat and rainbow over 35 cm; mountain whitefish 5, over 30 cm; walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3; yellow perch 15; lake whitefish 10; burbot 10; bull trout and Arctic grayling 0.
Streams, 1 September to 31 October	Trout and mountain whitefish 0; the other species as in summer.

ES2: Red Deer and North Saskatchewan rivers

The Red Deer watershed upstream of the Dickson Dam and the North Saskatchewan watershed upstream of Highway 22/39 near Drayton Valley.

Species	Closed season, as published	Open season, as published	Today
Lakes	—	Open all year	Open all year
Streams	November 1 to March 31	April 1 to October 31	Closed · opens Jan 1, 2027
Trout and mountain whitefish in streams	Limit 0 from September 1 to October 31	May be kept April 1 to August 31	May keep to Aug 31, 2027

Species	Daily quota and rules
Lakes	Lakes: open all year. Walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3; yellow perch 15; trout 5; mountain whitefish 5, over 30 cm; lake whitefish 10; burbot 10; bull trout and Arctic grayling 0.
Streams, 1 April to 31 August	Trout 2, cutthroat over 35 cm; mountain whitefish 5, over 30 cm; walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3; yellow perch 15; burbot 10; bull trout and Arctic grayling 0. Bait ban.
Streams, 1 September to 31 October	Trout and mountain whitefish 0; the other species as before.

ES3: Athabasca and Pembina rivers

The Athabasca watershed upstream of Secondary Road 658 near Whitecourt and the Pembina upstream of Highway 43 near Sangudo.

Species	Closed season, as published	Open season, as published	Today
Lakes	—	Open all year	Open all year
Streams	November 1 to June 15	June 16 to October 31	Closed · opens Jan 1, 2027
Other trout, Arctic grayling and mountain whitefish in streams	Limit 0 from September 1 to October 31	May be kept June 16 to August 31	May keep to Aug 31, 2027

Species	Daily quota and rules
Lakes	Lakes: open all year. Walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3; yellow perch 15; trout 5; mountain whitefish 5, over 30 cm; lake whitefish 10; burbot 10; bull trout and Arctic grayling 0.
Streams, 16 June to 31 August	Athabasca rainbow trout and bull trout 0; other trout 2; mountain whitefish 5, over 30 cm; walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3, over 63 cm; yellow perch 15; lake whitefish 10; burbot 10; Arctic grayling 0. Bait ban.
Streams, 1 September to 31 October	Other trout, Arctic grayling and mountain whitefish 0; the other species as in summer.

ES4: Smoky River

The Smoky watershed upstream of the 21st Base Line, and the Albright Creek watershed.

Species	Closed season, as published	Open season, as published	Today
Lakes	—	Open all year	Open all year
Streams	November 1 to May 31	June 1 to October 31	Closed · opens Jan 1, 2027
Mountain whitefish in streams	Limit 0 from September 1 to October 31	May be kept June 1 to August 31	May keep to Aug 31, 2027

Species	Daily quota and rules
Lakes	Lakes: open all year, bait fish allowed. Walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3; yellow perch 15; trout 5; mountain whitefish 5, over 30 cm; lake whitefish 10; burbot 10; bull trout and Arctic grayling 0.
Streams	Trout, Arctic grayling and bull trout 0 all season; mountain whitefish 5, over 30 cm, until 31 August; walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3, over 63 cm; yellow perch 15; lake whitefish 10; burbot 10. Bait ban.

PP1: Milk and South Saskatchewan rivers

The Milk and South Saskatchewan watersheds, the St. Mary included, up to Secondary Road 509 on the Oldman and Highway 24 on the Bow.

Species	Closed season, as published	Open season, as published	Today
Lakes	—	Open all year	Open all year
Streams	March 16 to May 7	May 8 to March 15	Open to Mar 15, 2027

Species	Daily quota and rules
Lakes	Walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3, over 63 cm; yellow perch 15; lake whitefish 10; burbot 10; trout 5; mountain whitefish 5, over 30 cm. Bait allowed.
Streams	Walleye and sauger 3, walleye over 50 cm; northern pike 3, over 63 cm; trout 2; mountain whitefish 5, over 30 cm; yellow perch 15; lake whitefish 10; burbot 10; goldeye 10; lake sturgeon 0. Bait allowed.

PP2: Red Deer, Battle and North Saskatchewan rivers

The Red Deer below the Dickson Dam, the Battle River and the North Saskatchewan below Highway 22/39; Pigeon and Sylvan lakes are in this unit.

Species	Closed season, as published	Open season, as published	Today
Lakes	—	Open all year	Open all year
Streams	April 1 to May 14	May 15 to March 31	Open to Mar 31, 2027
Burbot	Limit 0 from February 1 to March 31	Limit 2 the rest of the year	May keep to Jan 31, 2027

Species	Daily quota and rules
Lakes	Walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3, over 63 cm; yellow perch 15; lake whitefish 10; burbot 2; trout 5; mountain whitefish 5, over 30 cm. Bait allowed.
Streams	Walleye and sauger 3, walleye over 50 cm; northern pike 3, over 63 cm; trout 2; mountain whitefish 5, over 30 cm; yellow perch 15; lake whitefish 10; burbot 2; goldeye 10; lake sturgeon 0. Bait allowed.

NB1: Beaver and Athabasca rivers, Lakeland

The Beaver watershed, the Athabasca between Township 78 and Secondary Road 813, the Calling and La Biche watersheds, and the Lakeland District.

Species	Closed season, as published	Open season, as published	Today
Lakes	April 1 to May 14	May 15 to March 31	Open to Mar 31, 2027
Streams	November 1 to May 31	June 1 to October 31	Closed · opens Jan 1, 2027

Species	Daily quota and rules
Lakes	Walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3, over 63 cm; yellow perch 15; lake whitefish 10; burbot 10; trout 3; Arctic grayling 0. Bait allowed.
Streams	Walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3, over 63 cm; mountain whitefish 5, over 30 cm; yellow perch 15; lake whitefish 10; burbot 10; trout 2; Arctic grayling 0. Bait allowed.

NB2: Athabasca, Lesser Slave and Pembina rivers

The Athabasca between Secondary Road 813 and Secondary Road 658, the Lesser Slave River and the Pembina up to Highway 43.

Species	Closed season, as published	Open season, as published	Today
Lakes	April 1 to May 14	May 15 to March 31	Open to Mar 31, 2027
Streams	November 1 to May 31	June 1 to October 31	Closed · opens Jan 1, 2027

Species	Daily quota and rules
Lakes	Walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3, over 63 cm; yellow perch 15; lake whitefish 10; burbot 10; trout 3; Arctic grayling 0. Bait allowed.
Streams	Walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3, over 63 cm; mountain whitefish 5, over 30 cm; yellow perch 15; lake whitefish 10; burbot 10; trout 2; Arctic grayling 0. Bait ban.

NB3: Peace, Hay and northern rivers

The Peace watershed with the Wabasca and Birch, the Hay and Petitot, and the Fontas, Yates, Whitesand and Buffalo watersheds. Lakes north of Township 104 are open all year.

Species	Closed season, as published	Open season, as published	Today
Lakes south of Township 104	April 1 to May 14	May 15 to March 31	Open to Mar 31, 2027
Lakes north of Township 104	—	Open all year	Open all year
Streams	November 1 to May 31	June 1 to October 31	Closed · opens Jan 1, 2027

Species	Daily quota and rules
Lakes	Walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3, over 63 cm; yellow perch 15; lake whitefish 10; burbot 10; trout 3; Arctic grayling 0. Bait allowed.
Streams	Walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3, over 63 cm; mountain whitefish 5, over 30 cm; yellow perch 15; lake whitefish 10; burbot 10; trout 2; Arctic grayling 0. Bait ban.

NB4: Lower Athabasca, Slave and Lake Athabasca

The Athabasca below Township 78, the Clearwater and Christina rivers, and the Slave and Lake Athabasca watersheds.

Species	Closed season, as published	Open season, as published	Today
Lakes	April 1 to May 14	May 15 to March 31	Open to Mar 31, 2027
Streams	November 1 to May 31	June 1 to October 31	Closed · opens Jan 1, 2027

Species	Daily quota and rules
Lakes	Walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3, over 63 cm; yellow perch 15; lake whitefish 10; burbot 10; trout 3; Arctic grayling 0. Bait allowed.
Streams	Walleye 3, over 50 cm; northern pike 3, over 63 cm; mountain whitefish 5, over 30 cm; yellow perch 15; lake whitefish 10; burbot 10; trout 2; Arctic grayling 0. Bait allowed.

Rules that apply across Alberta

From the 2026 guide. These sit on top of every unit’s defaults.

Rule	Detail	Where
Open season hours	24 hours a day, unless a water says otherwise	Province-wide
Walleye special harvest	Up to 6 special harvest licences a season, 2 tags each, for Alberta residents; possession up to 12 walleye with them	Listed lakes
Bull trout and Arctic grayling	Limit 0 under most defaults	Most units
Lake sturgeon	Limit 0	Parkland-Prairie streams
Stocked trout lakes	Their own trout rules, page 16 of the guide	Marked with a fish symbol

The Alberta waters on this site

Each water’s own page shows today’s status for its species, including the special regulations below.

Bow River at Calgary · ES1

Bow River, Banff National Park to Bassano Dam. Open all year with a bait ban and a limit of 0 trout: every fish is released. In July and August the province can add time-of-day restrictions by notice.

Pigeon Lake · PP2

Pigeon Lake. Pigeon Lake, its tributaries and outlet are open 15 May to 31 March.
Pigeon Lake walleye and pike (limit 0). Open 15 May to 31 March. The pike limit is 0, and walleye may be kept only on a Special Harvest Licence tag (Alberta residents).

Sylvan Lake · PP2

Sylvan Lake (early-ice closure). Sylvan Lake is open 15 May to 31 October and 11 December to 31 March.
Sylvan Lake (spring closure). Sylvan Lake is open 15 May to 31 October and 11 December to 31 March.
Sylvan Lake pike (limit 0, early-ice closure). The pike limit on Sylvan Lake is 0; the lake is open 15 May to 31 October and 11 December to 31 March.
Sylvan Lake pike (limit 0, spring closure). The pike limit on Sylvan Lake is 0; the lake is open 15 May to 31 October and 11 December to 31 March.

Three zones, ten watershed units

Alberta divides the province by where water drains. The Eastern Slopes zone covers the mountain and foothill watersheds, ES1 to ES4; the Parkland-Prairie zone the southern and central plains, PP1 and PP2; and the Northern Boreal zone the north, NB1 to NB4. Each unit has default rules for lakes and for streams, and a long table of waters that differ. A water that is listed but shows no season for a period is closed during that period.

Mountain streams close for the winter

By default the Eastern Slopes streams close on 1 November and reopen on 1 April in ES2, 1 June in ES4 and 16 June in ES1 and ES3. From 1 September to 31 October trout and mountain whitefish in those streams go back to a limit of zero, so a September angler on an ES1 stream may fish but must release them. Lakes in the Eastern Slopes stay open all year.

The north closes its lakes in spring

In the Northern Boreal units the default lake season runs from 15 May to 31 March, so lakes close from 1 April to 14 May, and streams stay closed from 1 November to 31 May. The Parkland-Prairie units keep their lakes open all year and close only their streams in spring, from 16 March to 7 May in PP1 and 1 April to 14 May in PP2.

Size rules do the heavy lifting

Alberta’s defaults rely on minimum sizes as much as on seasons: walleye must be over 50 cm to keep, northern pike over 63 cm in most units, and mountain whitefish over 30 cm. Bull trout and Arctic grayling are catch and release under most defaults, and on lakes where walleye cannot sustain the standard limit, residents keep them only on a special harvest licence.

Where our waters sit

The Bow River through Calgary is in ES1, upstream of Highway 24, and has its own site rules in the ES1 tables. Pigeon and Sylvan lakes are in PP2 and both have their own seasons: 15 May to 31 March on Pigeon Lake and 15 May to 31 October on Sylvan Lake, which is why their pages show dates that differ from the PP2 lake default.

Common questions

When does fishing season open in Alberta?

Lakes in the Eastern Slopes and Parkland-Prairie units are open all year by default; northern lakes open on 15 May. Streams open on 1 April (ES2), 8 May (PP1), 15 May (PP2), 1 June (ES4 and the north) or 16 June (ES1 and ES3). Many waters have their own seasons in the guide’s tables.

Are Alberta streams open in October?

In most units, yes, until 31 October; but in the Eastern Slopes trout and mountain whitefish must be released from 1 September. Northern and Eastern Slopes streams close on 1 November.

What is the walleye limit in Alberta?

Three under most defaults, each over 50 cm. On special harvest lakes Alberta residents keep walleye only with special harvest licence tags.

Which watershed unit is the Bow River in Calgary?

ES1, which covers the Bow watershed upstream of Highway 24 near Carseland; downstream of Highway 24 the Bow is in PP1. The Bow has its own rules in the tables.

Can I fish at night in Alberta?

Yes: during an open season sportfishing is allowed 24 hours a day unless a specific water says otherwise.

Where this page's numbers come from

Government of Alberta, 2026 Alberta Guide to Sportfishing Regulations (PDF): https://albertaregulations.ca/2026-Alberta-Guide-to-Sportfishing-Regulations.pdf
Read on 2026-09-30. Definitions and open-season hours (p. 15), default sportfishing regulations of each watershed unit (pp. 30-88) and the Pigeon and Sylvan lake entries in the PP2 tables.
Pablo Ruiz Quintero: Founder and editor
Dates are quoted as the province publishes them; today’s status is worked out from them on this site, in Alberta time. Errors are published in the verification log.
How this page was made. The written text was drafted with AI assistance from the official pages listed above, and its facts were checked against those pages by automated verification on September 30, 2026; anything that could not be verified was taken out. Pablo Ruiz Quintero sets every guideline, the data-verification system and the minimum standards a page must meet to be published, reviews page structure and approves what goes live; the responsibility is his, and the AI carries out the work. We work this way because it is how one person can keep every page current with named sources. Errors are published in the verification log; the full policy is in the editorial policy.