Fishing in Calgary

One of Canada’s biggest cities, Calgary was founded on the junction of the Elbow and Bow rivers, where the prairies meet the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Right at its doorsteps lies a fly angler’s dream: access to a complex river system fed by the Rocky Mountains, combined with the amenities of a thriving city. The Bow River, flowing through downtown, winds into provincial parks and protected wilderness before rising at high-elevation headwaters. This unique combination means you can wade or drift fish for trout within minutes of downtown or explore remote alpine valleys and pristine streams within a short drive. We are not sure how much those fishing opportunities contribute to Calgary’s ranking as one of the world’s most livable cities, but they sure play a part!

Starting downtown, the Bow River offers pocket-water and riffles averaging 2–4 feet deep—ideal for technical dry-fly fishing. Its urban access and strong trout populations make it a favorite for after-work and weekend outings. Just beyond, in Calgary’s northeastern suburbs, tributaries like Fish Creek and Peechee Creek flow through wooded channels and deep runs, less than 20 minutes from core city areas, offering quieter settings and fly-fishing opportunities for youthful trout. A short drive west leads to the Elbow and Highwood Rivers, where mountain-fed sweeps, long gin-clear pools, and rapid changes in depth make excellent habitat for wild rainbow and cutthroat trout. Cold, fast-flowing water in these rivers create ideal conditions for stonefly and mayfly hatches—perfect for dry-dropper tactics. Venturing further into the Rockies brings you to high alpine streams and lakes such as Mount Kidd region creeks or remote wilderness lakes. These pristine waters, often under 10 feet deep, offer solitude and opportunity for catching native bull trout, alpine trout, and brook trout under truly wild skies.

Calgary’s freshwater systems support diverse trout populations. In urban waters, rainbow and brown trout are common, fed by both wild spawning and stocking programs. Creeks and small tributaries often hold cutthroat trout, while deeper, colder headwaters are home to robust bull trout. Alpine lakes add brook trout, cutthroats and wild rainbow trout to the mix. Beyond the trout, rivers and lakes around Calgary offer the traditional Canadian fish species such as burbot, walleye, yellow perch, and Northern pike.

Downtown and suburban anglers gravitate toward dry-dropper rigs — a small nymph trailing a surface fly — for effective coverage when trout are rising in riffles and runs. Light spinning gear with micro-jigs also works well, especially for challenging trout feeding in shallow runs. On the mountain rivers, nymphing with mayfly and stonefly imitations is incredibly productive, especially during hatch season. Summer weather brings terrestrial patterns: foam ants, beetles, and hoppers tossed near shoreline grass or submerged logs can trigger explosive takes. In alpine environments, anglers use small flies, light tippets, and drift techniques for wary brook trout in crystal-clear water—requiring stealth, precision, and respect for fragile ecosystems.