Northern Pike — Edmonton
Aggressive apex predator of Edmonton’s lakes and rivers, famous for explosive strikes and powerful runs. Thrives in weedy bays, river backwaters, and shallow flats during warm months.
Where to Catch: North Saskatchewan River backwaters, connected ponds, and nearby lakes such as Wabamun, Pigeon, and Lac Ste. Anne.
Best Time to Fish: Spring and fall offer peak shallow-water action; summer pike move deeper but can be found in early morning or evening shallows.
| Season | Activity |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Excellent post-spawn; sight-fish in shallow bays with spoons and jerkbaits. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Good early/late in shallows; troll or cast deeper weed edges mid-day. |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Very good; pike feed heavily before winter, often in mid-depth weedbeds. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Fair to good ice fishing with large deadbaits under tip-ups. |
Peak Season: May–June and September–October.
Tackle & Tips
Lures: 1/2–1 oz spoons, large spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and swimbaits.
Bait: Frozen smelt, herring, or large minnows (where legal).
Leaders: 12–18 in wire or heavy fluorocarbon (50–80 lb) to prevent bite-offs.
Gear: Medium-heavy to heavy rods with 30–50 lb braid; 8–9 wt fly rods for large streamers.
Walleye — Edmonton
Popular game fish known for excellent table fare and light-biting behavior. Found in lakes and rivers around Edmonton, often near structure or drop-offs.
Where to Catch: North Saskatchewan River, Pigeon Lake, Lac Ste. Anne, Wabamun Lake.
Best Time to Fish: Spring and fall offer best action; summer fishing improves during low-light periods.
| Season | Activity |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Excellent post-spawn jigging bite in rivers and near inlets. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Good trolling crankbaits or bottom-bouncers along structure; best at dawn/dusk. |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Very good; fish school along points and deeper flats chasing baitfish. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Good through the ice using spoons, jigging raps, or live minnows (where legal). |
Peak Season: May–June and September–October.
Tackle & Tips
Lures: 1/8–3/8 oz jigs with soft plastics, crankbaits, blade baits.
Bait: Minnows, leeches, and nightcrawlers (check regulations).
Leaders: 6–10 lb fluorocarbon; light for finesse, heavier for cover.
Gear: Medium-light to medium spinning rods with 6–10 lb mono or braid + fluoro leader.
Smallmouth Bass — Edmonton
Hard-fighting and acrobatic, smallmouth bass thrive in select waters around Edmonton with rocky habitat and clear water.
Where to Catch: Certain stretches of the North Saskatchewan River and connected lakes with rock/gravel shorelines.
Best Time to Fish: Late spring through early fall; summer topwater bite is a highlight.
| Season | Activity |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Good late spring; jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics along rocky points. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Excellent; topwater early/late, tubes and crankbaits mid-day on structure. |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Good; fish school on deeper rock humps, respond to jigs and blade baits. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Inactive in ice-covered lakes; not targeted under ice. |
Peak Season: June–August.
Tackle & Tips
Lures: Tubes, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, topwater poppers.
Bait: Minnows, crayfish (check legality), nightcrawlers.
Leaders: 8–12 lb fluorocarbon; lighter in clear water.
Gear: Medium spinning or baitcasting rods with 8–15 lb line.
Brook Trout — Edmonton Area
A colorful, cold-water species often stocked in trout ponds and small streams near Edmonton. Known for their striking markings and willingness to bite.
Where to Catch: Stocked ponds, small creeks, and cool spring-fed lakes.
Best Time to Fish: Spring and fall when water is cool; early morning and evening in summer.
| Season | Activity |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Excellent; stocked ponds are active; spinners, small spoons, and flies. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Fair; fish early/late; go deeper or find cooler inflows. |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Excellent; pre-spawn feeding; aggressive strikes on small lures and flies. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Good ice fishing in stocked ponds; small jigs with bait. |
Peak Season: April–June and September–October.
Tackle & Tips
Lures: 1/16–1/8 oz spinners, small spoons, micro crankbaits.
Bait: Worms, maggots, salmon eggs (check regs).
Leaders: 4–6 lb mono or fluoro.
Gear: Ultralight spinning or fly gear.
Lake Trout — Edmonton Area
Deep-water predator found in select large lakes near Edmonton. Known for size and strength.
Where to Catch: Deep, cold lakes such as Cold Lake and other large northern waters within driving distance.
Best Time to Fish: Ice-off to early summer when fish are shallow; deep trolling or jigging later in summer.
| Season | Activity |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Excellent; fish shallow structure; troll large spoons or crankbaits. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Fair to good; fish deep with downriggers or jigging spoons. |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Excellent near spawning reefs; casting large spoons or plastics. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Good under ice with large tube jigs or spoons tipped with bait. |
Peak Season: May–June and September–October.
Tackle & Tips
Lures: Large spoons, swimbaits, jigging tubes.
Bait: Ciscos, smelt (check regs).
Leaders: 15–25 lb fluoro.
Gear: Medium-heavy rods; trolling or vertical jigging setups.
Rainbow Trout — Edmonton Area
Popular stocked gamefish in ponds, lakes, and some streams around Edmonton.
Where to Catch: Stocked ponds and small lakes; occasional stream populations.
Best Time to Fish: Spring and fall when water is cool; early/late in summer.
| Season | Activity |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Excellent in stocked waters; spinners, spoons, and flies produce well. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Fair; fish early morning and late evening; go deep during mid-day. |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Excellent; active feeding before winter; flies, spinners, and bait all work. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Good ice fishing; small jigs and bait. |
Peak Season: April–June and September–October.
Tackle & Tips
Lures: Small spoons, inline spinners, flies.
Bait: Worms, corn, salmon eggs.
Leaders: 4–8 lb mono or fluoro.
Gear: Ultralight spinning or fly gear.
Arctic Grayling — Edmonton Area
A rare but prized native species in northern streams and rivers, identifiable by its large dorsal fin and iridescent colors.
Where to Catch: Clear, cold streams north of Edmonton and select stocked waters.
Best Time to Fish: Late spring through fall in moving water.
| Season | Activity |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Good in late spring; dry flies and small nymphs work well. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Excellent; dry fly fishing at its peak; small spinners effective too. |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Good until freeze-up; nymphs and small streamers. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Inactive in most regions; not targeted through ice. |
Peak Season: June–August.
Tackle & Tips
Lures: 1/32–1/16 oz spinners, small spoons.
Bait: Maggots, worms (where legal).
Leaders: 4–6 lb fluoro.
Gear: Ultralight spinning or 3–5 wt fly rods.
Mountain Whitefish — Edmonton Area
Schooling cold-water species common in rivers and lakes near Edmonton. Excellent eating when fresh.
Where to Catch: Deeper runs in rivers; mid-depths in lakes.
Best Time to Fish: Fall and winter are peak; can be caught year-round.
| Season | Activity |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Fair; nymphs and small jigs in rivers. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Fair; deeper water holds fish; small bait rigs. |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Excellent; pre-spawn feeding; small jigs, flies, and bait rigs. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Excellent ice fishing; small tungsten jigs with maggots. |
Peak Season: October–February.
Tackle & Tips
Lures: Micro jigs, small spoons.
Bait: Maggots, worms.
Leaders: 4–6 lb mono or fluoro.
Gear: Light spinning or ice rods.
Yellow Perch — Edmonton Area
Abundant panfish found in many lakes near Edmonton, popular for their taste and accessibility.
Where to Catch: Shallow weedy bays in spring/summer; deeper flats in fall/winter.
Best Time to Fish: Year-round with peaks in spring and winter.
| Season | Activity |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Excellent in shallows; small jigs, worms, and minnows. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Good; fish weed edges and deeper flats mid-day. |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Good; deeper structure; live bait works well. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Excellent under ice; tungsten jigs with maggots or minnows. |
Peak Season: March–May and December–February.
Tackle & Tips
Lures: Micro jigs, small spoons.
Bait: Worms, maggots, small minnows.
Leaders: 4–6 lb mono or fluoro.
Gear: Ultralight spinning or ice gear.
Burbot — Edmonton Area
Freshwater cod-like fish active mostly in cold water; popular winter target for anglers near Edmonton.
Where to Catch: Deep holes in lakes and rivers, especially in winter.
Best Time to Fish: Late fall through winter, especially at night.
| Season | Activity |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Fair; occasionally caught deep after ice-out. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Slow; mostly inactive in warm water. |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Good; fish move shallower in cold water. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Excellent; night fishing with bait on bottom. |
Peak Season: December–February.
Tackle & Tips
Lures: Glow jigs, spoons near bottom.
Bait: Cut bait, minnows.
Leaders: 10–15 lb mono/fluoro.
Gear: Medium ice rods or heavy spinning rods.
Lake Sturgeon — Edmonton Fishing
Ancient, long-lived freshwater giants inhabiting the North Saskatchewan River system. Known for their armored plates and powerful runs, lake sturgeon are a prized catch-and-release trophy in the Edmonton area.
Where to Catch: Deep holes, outside bends, and tailouts of the North Saskatchewan River and connected tributaries. Often found near structure, current breaks, and confluences.
Best Time to Fish: Late spring through early fall when water temperatures are stable; peak activity in summer months during warm weather.
| Season | Activity |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Fair early; improves late spring as flows stabilize; fish deep holes with fresh bait. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Excellent; warm water and steady flows bring active feeding; night fishing productive. |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Good early fall; fish feed heavily before winter; slows with dropping temps. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Limited; ice fishing not typical; most activity in open tailwater areas if accessible. |
Peak Season: June–September.
Tackle & Tips
Lures: Rarely targeted with lures; focus on fresh bait presentations.
Bait: Nightcrawlers, cut bait, or fish roe (where legal) on heavy rigs.
Leaders: Heavy mono or fluorocarbon (50–80 lb) to withstand abrasion from scutes and rocks.
Gear: Medium-heavy to heavy rods with large baitcasting or spinning reels; strong drag and ample line capacity. Always practice proper handling—keep fish in the water, support body weight, and release quickly.
