Westslope Cutthroat Trout

To me, cutthroat trout are the most beautiful of our trout species. They are easily identified by a bright red/orange streak on the underside of their jaw. They are usually greenish on their backs, with spotting on the back half of the body. Westslope cutthroat trout are native to southwest Alberta and cold mountain streams are their preferred habitat. They are also often found in high mountain lakes. Cutthroat are particularly susceptible to the fly and in turn are favourite targets for fly fishermen. When hooked, cutthroat tend not to jump, but rather pull hard and head for the bottom. Cutthroat trout spawn in the spring, which can be as late as July in high mountain streams. Native populations of Westslope Cutthroat Trout are classified as At Risk in the current General Status of Alberta Wild Species report. Stocked populations of cutthroat are classified as Stable. Cutthroat trout spawn in the spring in creeks and rivers. Cutthroat trout can be found in the Castle and West Castle River drainages (including all tributaries), Upper Oldman River, Phillipps Lake, Emerald Lake, as well as in BC in the Elk River and Michel Creek drainages.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout are non-native and were introduced into southwest Alberta long ago and have now become the region’s go-to gamefish. Rainbows are the most commonly stocked species in southwest Alberta and many rivers and lakes now hold this outstanding trout. Rainbows vary from green to blue on their back and they can be heavily spotted over the entire body. Mature fish can also have a reddish streak along their sides, that when mixed with blue/green back and white belly gives the rainbow appearance. When hooked, rainbow trout often make spectacular jumps out of the water, many of which dislodge hooks, much to the chagrin of anglers. Rainbows spawn in the spring, and if in the same waters as cutthroat can interbreed, producing a cut-bow hybrid. Rainbow trout can be found in the Crowsnest River drainage, Crowsnest Lake, Oldman Reservoir, Oldman River, Racehorse Creek, Dutch Creek, Beauvais Lake, Lee Lake, Burmis Lake, Coleman Fish and Game Pond, Island Lake, Chinook Lake, and Window Mountain Lake.

Bull Trout

Bull trout are the official fish of Alberta and have the greatest range of any trout in Alberta and are found throughout the province. Unfortunately, native bull trout were severely overfished in the past and were extirpated from several watersheds. Regulations protecting the bull trout were put in place and their numbers seem to be recovering. Bull trout are also classified as Threatened under Alberta’s Wildlife Act and there is a zero possession limit on bull trout throughout the province. Bull trout are generally larger fish that often prey on smaller fish such as whitefish and trout. On several occasions I have been bringing in a trout or whitefish when Jaws, a large bull trout, will appear out of the depths and will attack the hooked fish. Once they latch on to the smaller fish, they seldom let go. A few times I have dragged a bull trout that wouldn’t let go of my whitefish out of a river and onto the bank. Bull trout are often found in large rivers, especially in deep pools. When hooked, bull trout don’t wiggle and jiggle as much as other trout, but use their brute strength to pull away. Often they will go into a roll tactic to try to get loose. Bull trout are long, slim fish, usually with a large head. Their back is olive green to grey and their silvery sides have pink or pale yellow spots. Bull trout spawn in the fall in small creeks. Bull trout can be found in the Castle and West Castle River watersheds, Mill Creek, Carbondale River and tributaries, Crowsnest River, Crowsnest Lake, Waterton Lakes as well as in the Elk River in BC.

Fun Fish Facts

Fish are social and cooperative

Fish feel pleasure, not just pain

Fish have great memories

Fish are smart and can learn

Fish are flexible

Fish are excellent communicators

Fish can migrate extremely far distances

Fish have exceptional sensory capabilities

Fish are important to sustaining ecosystems

Brook Trout

Brook trout are also quite colourful, with a dark green back with pale vermiculations (worm-like markings), while their sides have a purple sheen with blue-haloed red spots. The lower fins have a black stripe behind a white edge. Brook trout are native to eastern Canada and were transplanted here early in the last century. Brook trout in their native habitat in eastern Canada faced many predators (i.e., pike, muskies, etc.) and they reproduce prolifically. Once in a water system in our area, brook trout tend to outcompete other trout and take over. In most cases, brook trout in southwest Alberta are in lakes. Brook trout can be taken by fly fishers but tend to be aggressive towards lures and spinners. Brook trout spawn in the fall in small streams. Brook trout can be found in Grizzly Lake, Butcher Lake, Bovin Lake, and Gold Creek.

Brown Trout

Brown trout are non-native to southwest Alberta and have been stocked over the last century. They tend to be golden brown in colour with large black spots on the back and red spots (some with pale halos) on their sides. Brown trout do well in foothills streams and rivers and have been stocked in a few lakes as well. For those who don’t know, there is a very simple rule for fishing for and catching brown trout. Fish in low light situations – early in the morning, late in the evening, into the dark. Brown trout are able to see in low light conditions much better than any other trout. Many anglers swear by brown trout fishing in the dark. Brown trout spawn in the fall in streams. Brown trout can be found in the Oldman River (below Oldman Dam), Crowsnest River (below Lundbreck Falls, with reports of browns being occasionally taken above the falls), Waterton River and Beauvais Lake.

Lake Trout

These big boys are found in a number of lakes in the region. They grow to very large sizes. The record for Waterton Lake is 24 kg and was caught in 1920 by a lady whose husband didn’t want her to go fishing in the boat with him, so left her on shore where she caught the beast. Lake trout tend to be basic grey with white spots and a forked tail. Lake trout live in the cold water in deep lakes, coming to the shallower water to feed only in the spring and fall when the cold water is near the surface. Lake trout eat other species of fish and grow very slowly. Lake trout spawn in the fall in shallow water. Lake trout can be found in Crowsnest Lake, Emerald Lake and Waterton Lakes