Let’s go fishing

Brady Grove
Times Contributor

 

Fishing is an enjoyable pastime for all ages that can often be done close to home. In the Strathmore area, the pond in Kinsmen Park is one option for children and seniors, while Eagle Lake just east of Strathmore is another choice for fisherman.
Meanwhile, the Bow River flows through McKinnon Flats, allowing access to world-class trout fishing. Severn Creek Reservoir north of Standard, and Crawling Valley Reservoir near Bassano are also viable locations for prospective fisherman.
In order to legally fish in Alberta there are a few requirements.
“For any water body in Alberta that isn’t privately owned, you need a provincial fishing license,” said Kyle Lester, provincial Fish and Wildlife Officer in the Strathmore area. Licenses are fairly inexpensive and can be bought for as low as $28.
According to the Alberta Conversation Association website, the pond in Kinsmen Park is stocked with about 2,500 rainbow trout in April and May. However, Kinsmen only allows people to fish if they are under 16 or over 65 years of age. Lester said the reason is to promote fishing for kids and senior citizens who may have difficulty getting to other lakes.
Eagle Lake is home to northern pike and walleye. Recently the lake suffered a blue-green algae bloom. Lester said while blue-green algae doesn’t affect the fishing, it can be fatal to humans and animals. As a result, it is not recommended that fish caught in Eagle Lake be consumed during an algae bloom. This year, that is not a problem – Alberta fishing regulations for 2016 cite Eagle Lake as a zero-limit lake. That is, any fish caught cannot be kept.
Crawling Valley Reservoir teems with pike and walleye, but like Eagle Lake, 2016 provincial fishing regulations state the reservoir is under zero limits. So again, catch and release policy must be followed. The lake also contains burbot, lake whitefish and yellow perch which can be kept according to the Alberta Fishing Guide.
McKinnon Flats is a closer choice located southwest of Langdon. It has a rocky beach and is very shallow which allows people to walk out into the Bow River.
“The Bow River is known throughout North America for trout fishing,” said Lester.
Some other good fishing spots Lester suggests include Dalemead Lake, Chestermere Lake, Bruce Lake and Severn Creek Reservoir.