Overview

Fishing conditions are favorable across Northern Alberta today, with most rivers running at normal summer levels, providing excellent opportunities for both fly and conventional anglers. Conditions are perfect for Walleye and Northern Pike in the Clearwater and Athabasca Rivers. Be sure to check regulations and open sections before heading out.

River & Lake Conditions

• Clearwater River near Fort McMurray: Steady flows at 75.6 m³/s aligning perfectly with summer fishing levels. Target slack water for Walleye and Pike using heavy jigs and bright lures.

• Athabasca River at Hinton: Flow is falling at 297 m³/s, conducive to great fishing conditions for Rainbow Trout and Arctic Grayling. Focus on tributaries and look for rising fish or target runs with nymph rigs.

• Athabasca River below Fort McMurray: At 789 m³/s and falling, it offers stable conditions. Target Walleye and Pike near back eddies and structure with deep presentations of spoons and spinnerbaits.

• Peace River at Dunvegan Bridge: Rising slightly at 1450 m³/s, offering good opportunities for targeting Goldeye and other species in calmer tributary mouths and eddies.

• Peace River at Fort Vermilion: Low flows at 626 m³/s provide an excellent opportunity for shore and boat anglers, especially in slower sections protected from wind.

Weather Impact by Area

• Northern Rivers (Athabasca, Peace, Clearwater): Mostly clear skies with winds under 10 km/h today making fly presentation easier. Expect consistent water clarity throughout the day with highs around 25°C. Afternoon warming will prompt fish activity, especially for surface feeding fish like Goldeye.

Hatch Activity & Fly Fishing

• Clearwater River: High activity of Midge hatches, with favorable conditions for dry fly fishing. Recommended patterns include Griffith's Gnat and Parachute Adams in sizes #18-26. Afternoon BWO hatch expected; be ready with emerger and dun patterns when prompted.

• Athabasca River at Hinton: Expect Midges to be active all day. Use Zebra Midges and Pheasant Tail nymphs in smaller sizes for consistent action. BWO emergers can also prove effective in riffles and runs with overcast periods aiding surface activity.

Spin & Bait Fishing

• Clearwater River: Use inline spinners and bright spoons to target Northern Pike, focusing on slower, weedier sections. Walleye anglers should aim for deeper pools with jigging presentations.

• Athabasca River: Large spoons and flashy spinnerbaits will work well for Pike and Walleye, especially around structure and slower currents.

Recent Stocking

• Emerald Lake: Recently stocked with 2,600 Brook Trout on June 16. Light tackle and PowerBait offer great success for stocked trout anglers. Wind direction is mild, allowing for flexible casting.

• Two Lakes (South Two Lake): Stocked with 2,500 Westslope Cutthroat Trout on June 16. Target these fish with medium spinners or small streamers.

Top Picks Today

• Athabasca River at Hinton: Ideal for targeting Rainbow Trout and Grayling. Use nymphs such as Pheasant Tail or Copper John for fly fishing, or small spinners for conventional fishing.

• Clearwater River near Fort McMurray: Excellent for Walleye. Use indicator nymphing with Midges for fly anglers; jigging deep with white or chartreuse soft plastics for spin anglers.

• Peace River at Dunvegan Bridge: Fish the eddies for Goldeye with small dry flies or light spinners. Woolly Buggers also great for fly fishing.

Safety & Regulations

• Though conditions are stable, always exercise caution; water levels can change rapidly.
• Bull trout are catch-and-release only throughout ALL Alberta waters.
• As Brown Trout spawning approaches in the fall, avoid wading on clean gravel redds to protect fish populations.
• Seasons and closures vary by water body and species — always verify at albertaregulations.ca before fishing.