Fishing Alberta’s Rocky Mountains in the Spring
| Month | Avg. Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| March | 32° / 3° |
| April | 40° / 16° |
| May | 50° / 25° |
Early spring is cold with lingering snow/ice, but lower-elevation rivers wake up first. Ice-off on lakes can be late; expect cold water and variable flows.
What’s Hot / What’s Not:
Rivers: Rainbow & bull trout on nymphs/streamers in soft seams and below runoffs; stonefly, midge, and leech patterns shine.
Lakes: As ice pulls back, lake trout and cutthroat cruise the shallows; slow spoons, jigging plastics, and small streamers work.
Not Hot: High alpine lakes—many remain locked in ice through much of spring.
Fishing Alberta’s Rocky Mountains in the Summer
| Month | Avg. Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| June | 57° / 32° |
| July | 64° / 34° |
| August | 63° / 33° |
All alpine water opens up; long days and cool nights keep trout active. Afternoon winds and clear water call for stealthy approaches.
What’s Hot / What’s Not:
Rivers: Dry-fly heaven for cutthroat/rainbows—caddis, PMDs, terrestrials; swing streamers for bull trout in deep green pools.
Lakes: Brookies, cutthroat, and golden trout take small spoons, woolly buggers, and chironomids; target dawn/dusk or drop-offs mid-day.
Not Hot: Midday in shallow, sunlit water—go deeper or fish low light.
Fishing Alberta’s Rocky Mountains in the Fall
| Month | Avg. Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| September | 53° / 26° |
| October | 40° / 17° |
| November | 24° / 3° |
Cooling water sparks aggressive pre-winter feeding. Expect crisp mornings, clear water, and some of the best streamer bites of the year.
What’s Hot / What’s Not:
Rivers: Big streamers for bull and brown trout; nymph rigs with eggs/stoneflies for rainbows/whites.
Lakes: Lake trout and brook trout push shallow; slow-roll spoons or strip leeches near drop-offs.
Not Hot: Very high elevations late fall—early freeze and limited access.
Fishing Alberta’s Rocky Mountains in the Winter (Ice Fishing)
| Month | Avg. Temps °F (Hi/Lo) |
|---|---|
| December | 14° / -8° |
| January | 15° / -9° |
| February | 24° / -5° |
Frigid but rewarding. Verify ice thickness often and watch for chinook swings. Short daylight—plan tight windows.
What’s Hot / What’s Not:
Ice Fishing: Lake trout, brook trout, and whitefish on spoons, tubes, and small jigs; tip with shrimp or scented plastics.
Open Water: Limited to select tailwaters on mild spells—think tiny midges and slow presentations.
Not Hot: Remote alpine basins—deep snow/unsafe ice make access impractical.
