Fishing The World Famous Bow River
Fishing The World Famous Bow River
Fish Species of the Bow River
Alberta’s Bow River originates from the Bow Glacier, which in turn creates Bow Lake. The Bow River flows from Bow Lake though Lake Louise and Banff National Park, which is one of the most famous and most visited nature reserves in the world!
From Banff National Park, the Bow River then flows south towards the city of Calgary, becoming one of the world's best Trout fisheries.
The Bow is known for world-class fly fishing. The brown trout that thrive in the Bow River attract fly fishers from all over the world. But they got there by accident in 1925 when a truck full of brown trout fry broke down at the Carrot Creek bridge. They were forced to dump the fish into the bow river, and the Brown Trout have inhabited it ever since!
Rainbow Trout
Rainbow Trout spawn in the spring, some in river, majority up a tributary called the Highwood River/Sheep River and in the upper city area called Bearspaw.100% wild fish, average size is 18-20”
Brown Trout
Brown trout spawn in the fall, many in the main river and side channels and in a tributary called the Elbow River.100% wild fish, average size is 18-20”, but often grow into the 24” range.
Other Bow River Fish Species
Bull Trout
Cutthroat Trout
Cut-Bow Trout ( a hybrid mix of rainbow and cutthroat, spawn at same time in the same trib. Highwood)
Rocky Mountain Whitefish
Pike
Sturgeon
Long nose sucker
Burbot
Bow River Fly Fishing Hatch Chart