Ice Fishing Near Calgary Alberta Canada

10 Easy To Find Ice Fishing Locations in Southern Alberta 

Winter Fishing Areas Close To Calgary 

Ice Fishing near Calgary, Alberta, Canada is a fun winter activity that the whole family can enjoy. Whether you have your own gear, rent or borrow some else's, or rent a fully equipped hard-sided ice hut, you can find some pretty decent fishing areas not too far from the city. This list of ice fishing locations are all within a 2 hour drive from Calgary. As a safety reminder, it's recommended you have 4 inches of nice solid clear ice before walking out to go ice fishing. More so, brushing up on your ice safety knowledge is always a great idea before heading out. New to ice fishing? Check out my list of must have ice fishing items for when I head out on the hard water for a fishing trip.

10 Easy To Find Ice Fishing Locations in Southern Alberta

1. Chain Lakes Reservoir 

•1hr 20min Southwest of Calgary 

Chain Lakes is located south of Calgary and west of Nanton, Alberta, Canada. A beautiful large long lake in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Chain Lakes gives you the opportunity to catch a few different species of trout, mainly rainbow trout though. Whats more, you can catch sucker fish here as well. They're in a lot of lakes just hanging out on the bottom. Check your regulations for use of bait, but typically it is allowed here. Powerbait dough and velvetta cheese work well on this body of water for trout. Hardsided ice shack rentals available on this lake. The easiest access onto the lake is from Chain Lakes Provincial Park and the lakeside parking lots. 

2. Spray Lakes Reservoir 

•1hr 50min West of Calgary 

Spray Lakes is a gorgeous mountain lake in Kananaskis Country west of Calgary. Anglers have the opportunity to catch lake trout, mountain whitefish, lake whitefish, as well as rainbow and cutthroat trout. A deep large lake in a remote setting makes the perfect ice fishing destination. Hardsided ice hut rentals are available on this lake in Alberta as well. For reference, the easiest access is from the boat launch in the Driftwood Day-use area. 

3. Crawling Valley Reservoir 

•1hr 45min East of Calgary 

Most commonly known as Crawling Valley Reservoir, also known as Barkenhouse Lake, is located east of Calgary just north of Bassano, Alberta. Crawling Valley is a popular fishing destination for anglers. Easily accessed from the Crawling Valley Recreation Area, this body of water is home to walleye, northern pike, perch, whitefish, as well as burbot.

4. Twin Valley Reservoir

•1hr 20min South of Calgary

Twin Valley is a prairie reservoir located south of Calgary and east of Stavely, Albert. This is a fun ice fishing destination. But with only pike swimming around in Twin Valley Reservoir, don't expect variety. If you catch something else, lucky. I've heard rumors of burbot but have never personally spotted one yet. There is a boat launch area by the campground which is an easy access point.

5. Eagle Lake 

•45min East of Calgary 

Eagle Lake is located east of Calgary in Strathmore. You'll be lucky to find burbot, walleye and pike roaming this body of water. Bring bright flashy lures here, maybe even some rattle baits if you have any in your tackle box. The water can be a bit murky, so the bright, loud, flashy, fishing tackle can help. Furthermore, an underwater camera is always a nice touch. Access this lake from the boat launch on Range Road 245. 

6. Gull Lake 

•1hr 45min North of Calgary 

Another on our list of places to fish near Calgary is Gull Lake, a large lake located north of Calgary. This lake has many easy access points and has a large variety of fish to try to catch. Here you can try your luck at pike, burbot, walleye, lake whitefish, and perch. Lots of hardsided ice shack rentals available on Gull Lake. Convieniently, this lake has many boat launches and easy access points. 

7. Sylvan Lake 

•1hr 45min North of Calgary 

 A very popular ice fishing destination, located north of Calgary. Many events take place throughout the winter on Sylvan Lake, as this is a fair sized lake front community here, making it a fun choice for a family ice fishing destination. Luckily, there is a decent variety of species here. Much like Gull Lake, you'll find Pike, Burbot, Whitefish, Walleye and Perch here. A large number of hardsided ice hut rentals available on Sylvan Lake. Another lake with multiple boat lauches and easy access. 

8. Chestermere Lake

•20min East of Calgary

A small lake located very close to Calgary, and does offer decent ice fishing throughout the season. A great beginner location to try some of your gear before heading out too far. This lake is a basic perch and pike lake for ice fishing. Best way to get on the ice here is from the marina.

9. McGregor Lake 

•1hr 30min South of Calgary 

McGregor Lake is a fun ice fishing lake found south of Calgary, east of Vulcan. Convieniently, it is a large lake with plenty of area to roam around and find the sweet spot. Easy access onto the lake gives you the chance to catch walleye, pike, mountain whitefish, rainbow trout, perch and burbot. Easiest access point here would be from the campground on the north side near Milo, Alberta.

10. Clear Lake 

•1hr 30min South of Calgary 

Clear Lake is a small but easy to access fishing destination on our list of places to fish near Calgary. Easily found south of Calgary, east of Stavely, Alberta. You'll be lucky to find some fair size pike and rumoured burbot swimming around in here. A quiet but worthwhile place to spend a day ice fishing in a prairie setting. Furthermore, there is a campground on the south side of the lake, giving easiest access to the ice here. 

Ice Fishing in Southern Alberta Canada

There we go, 10 places to try your luck at ice fishing in southern Alberta, Canada. I personally prefer hardwater fishing to open water fishing here in Alberta. Here's to hoping this list helps you get outside and find some great places to make wonderful fishing memories. Hopefully you will land a personal best! Or maybe a new species. Always check the local rules and regulations for where you'd like to go fishing, and always have your up to date fishing license handy. Have fun and stay safe on the ice! Tight lines.

Ice Fishing Alberta Canada 

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