Lesser Slave River caters to all manner of fishing enthusiast. From fast-running streams to the expansive Lesser Slave Lake, fishing is a year-round way of life for weekend hobbyists and seasoned competitors alike. Tournaments abound in the region but Lesser Slave Lake’s Anglers Cup is the most anticipated of them all.
Sport Fish Varieties in Lesser Slaver River
Lake Whitefish
A stable native fish in Alberta, lake whitefish are found abundantly through out the province, with the exception of the Eastern Slopes where their presence is modest. They are a popular game fish among anglers, and are a large part of the commercial fishing in Alberta.
Burbot
Burbot are secure, and found in abundance throughout Alberta (with the exception of the Eastern Slopes, where their presence is modest). They are the only cod-type fish in Alberta, and currently hold the most recent Alberta fishing record set in 2004.
Northern Pike
Northern Pike are one of the largest game fish in Alberta, and are mildly a part of the Alberta stock program. They are found in plenty throughout the province, and are popular amongst anglers.
Yellow Perch
Yellow perch are popular amongst young anglers and are easily found throughout Alberta, with the exception of the Eastern Slopes where their presence is scattered. Despite their popularity, they threaten trout populations when they are illegally introduced to environments where they compete with trout.
Walleye
Walleye (sometimes called Pickerel which are not related at all) are one of the most wide spread species in Alberta and are found in many lakes and some rivers throughout the province. They have been the most stocked fish in Alberta since 2006, and are the most sought after fish for consumption due to their quality white tasting meat. Walleye are the only species in Alberta that are protect by a special harvest license at selected lakes. Special harvest license applications are generally available between March and April. Walleye's main forage is bait fish and insects and can be caught by either angling or fly fishing. They are very aggressive feeders and usually hunt in schools, so if you catch one, you will most likely catch more.
Sportfishing Regulations for the Northern Boreal Region
Throughout the boreal forest, many of the streams are low gradient, brown water streams which in turn are part of the major drainage basins of the Athabasca, Peace and Hay rivers. The majority of the lakes in Alberta occur in the boreal forest zone.
The Northern Boreal consists of a vast area of central and northern Alberta consists of boreal forest. Throughout the boreal forest, many of the streams are low gradient, brown water streams which in turn are part of the major drainage basins of the Athabasca, Peace and Hay rivers. The majority of the lakes in Alberta occur in the boreal forest zone.
The four Northern Boreal Watershed Units (NB1-NB4) are made of the Beaver, Athabasca, La Biche, Lesser Slave, Pembina, Peace, Wabasca, Hay, Christina, Clearwater rivers and Lake Athabasca watersheds.
NBR Watershed Unit Regulations
The Athabasca River watershed between Sec. Rd. 813 near Athabasca and Sec. Rd. 658 near Whitecourt, including the Lesser Slave River watershed and the Pembina River watershed upstream to Highway 43 near Sangudo.
Bait Fishing
- Fishing with Bait in NB2 streams is NOT allowed except at portions of a few rivers under NB2 site specific listing regulations.
- Fishing with Bait in NB2 lakes is allowed, except at lakes listed with Bait Bans under NB2 site specific regulations.
- Fishing with Bait Fish is allowed except at locations listed with Bait Bans under NB2 site specific regulations.
Mainstem of a river: includes the mainstem channel and any side channel, oxbows, riparian flow channels, and plunge pools below spillways.
LICENCE UP AND KNOW THE CATCH RESTRICTIONS BEFORE YOU GO FISHING. CHECK THE ALBERTA REGULATIONS OR ALBERTA PARKS WEBSITES.
If you’re new to the area and want to try your hand at fishing, the community of Widewater is a great location for outfitting, hiring a guide and finding accommodations. It is also a great place to chat with some of the locals before you head out onto the lake.
Provincial Supports for the Recreation Sector
For more information about fishing activities in and around Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park, visit the Government of Alberta’s Parks and Recreation website.
