Ice off Means Fish On PHOTO GALLERY
I love this time of year when the ice is about to come off the lakes here in Alberta. This is when I love to fish any lake in the province. My favorite of them all has to be theLower Kananaskis Lake in K-country. The drive from the city of Calgary is a short one of only 50 minutes. One you arrive at the lake you will be absolutely breath taken as this has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. The fishing here is as good as the scenery.
Once the ice has come off the lake I make a point of fishing here. Those massive Bull Troutcome out of the deep water into the shallows looking for minnows and flies that are present on the shore lines. I have seen these fish drive minnows right into the shoreline and come right out of the water to chow down. One must remember that the hatch in this high mountain lake is much later than the city. It stays colder here longer preventing the bugs to hatch one to two months later. This will work in your benefit and you will have to make proper tackle selections. I use baitfish imitations such as the Rapala Husky Jerk,the Berkley Frenzy, the Rapala X-Rap or the Cotton Cordell Spot.
One thing that’s important is the size of the lure you use. I will walk the shore line to find those minnows and pay close attention to the size of the minnows. I then make my selection based on the size of the minnows I have seen. Color may also play a factor so bring various color patterns with you to increase your odds. Jigs also work really well here so include those in your tackle box as well for good measure. Move up and down the shoreline slowly and find where the fish are holding and fish your bait slowly at working the bottom, then the middle, then the top to find out what depth you need to fish. Be persistent and you will hook one of these monster Bull Trout that live in this body of water. This is where the record Bull Trout was taken so who knows, maybe you will latch into a record on your next trip.
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Very nice article. I’m both stimulated and envious. Weather and work have kept me off the water here in North Idaho, but you’re good site keeps me dreaming.
Thank you Dwayne, I sure hope we can get a chance to fish here when you come out. One of my favorate places of all time. Even if the fishing is slow, one can’t really help being amazed with the sceanery. Thanks again for the nice words. Mike.
Hey Guys,
I’m heading up to the lake this weekend, and I wondering if Rapala deep runners are good for the Lake.
Also where is the best part of the lake to fish if I am fishing from the shore. Thanks again.
I think you may be a little early in heading to the Lower lake this weekend. My friend has a cabin on the lake and said Mon that there is still too much ice on the lake to fish. Both the Upper and the Lower lake are still very frozen. I would give it at least two more weeks my friend. As per the Rapala deep runners, you will do very well with those lures as long as you pick the right color patterns.
The spot I love to fish when I am at the Lower lake is right at the outlet of the dam on the Smith Dorian creek side. I fish right off the rocks all the way to where Smith Dorian Creek runs into the lake. Massive Bull trout come into the shallows here to peg off minnows and flies close to the shoreline. I hope this helps you in your fishing trip to the Lower Kananaskis Lake. Good luck and happy fishing, Mike.
Oh Yes… I live in Kananaskis and Lower Lake is indeed a good place to hook into monster bulls. I start fishing the open water as early as end of April. One needs to be carefull as ice still covers most of the lake; however, it’s still possible to access some open waters and even banks without risk. Don’t forget your fly rod equipped with some big buggers (Black/Ollive size 6-8), and red and white maribou variations… Remember Bulls aren’t too fussy, the trick is finding them. As for the best place to fish… Well I can’t give that away, as I’ve sworn to secrecy, however I will say that the best waters are usually the first to open-up (free of ice)… head down there to scout in April and you’ll see what I mean (expect a 1/2 -3/4 of an hour of walking and use common sense while dealing with the ice.
…good luck, that time of year is almost here!
Thanks Marco, I think that’s when I have the most fun when I am out fishing, THE HUNT. I love to look for new locations on a river or lake, the thrill of the hunt almost excites me as much as hooking into one of those big Bulls, ok mabie not that much but pretty darn close. I believe as you do that the prime time to fish a lake is when the ice has just melted off, they are hungry and very scrappy.
One thing that is certain, you will see me out at the Lower Kananaskis lake come spring time, camera in one hand and a fishing rod in the other!
Thanks for your great comment Marco, Happy and safe fishing to you.
~Mike.
Hey Marco,
What’s this secret place you and Tolley refuse to name? I’m gonna find out and unleash the herds there!
I’m joking….don’t get your underwear in a bunch! : )
Mike – good website. But I’m terrible at fishing.
: )
Erik
That’s hilarious Erik, scared the S#@* right out of me that’s for sure.
Thanks for the complement Erik and anyone can learn to fish, it’s not that hard. Thanks for scaring the C@$% right out of me.
Have a great day,
~Mike
ANybody know what the ice is looking like right now?
Hello Ks, it looks like the ice off will be later this year as we are still experiencing colder weather in the mountain range. My estimated guess would be late June. She stays pretty frozen up there. I will keep you posted as I love to fish here.
Thanks,
~Mike
Hello there, I plan on heading up there this weekend (Juny 6th and 7th), I was just wondering how the ice situation is?
Also, I’m going to be casting — no fly fishing rod 🙁 Just wondering if you guys have any recommendations for casting lures, Im fairly new to fishing and any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Hey Buck, should be OK for the ice being off the shoreline but will still be frozen in the middle of the lake do no boating there for awhile. I’m quite sure there will be open water on the shoreline so you will be able to catch some fish from there.
I was going to go check and see what the Lower Lake was looking like this past weekend but never made it that far west, too bad as I could have given you a report.
As per the lures, Len Thompson spoons in the green frog pattern work excellent. Rapala’s like the Husky Jerk in blue, silver and orange colors, ask for HJ12 SB, 4 3/4inch, 1/3 oz. Rapala X-Raps in the Rainbow Trout pattern work great, look for the XR10, 4inch, 7/16oz.
Spinners like the Blue Fox Vibrax in silver with the white dressed hook, there called SILVER SHINER and get size 4. These lures will all catch you fish when you fish the Lower Kananaskis Lake for Bull Trout. i know as this is what I use personally.
Thanks for your questions Buck and hopefully “catch on” to this wonderful sport of fishing. Feel free to ask any questions pertaining to fishing, I will answer to the best of my ability.
Thanks,
~Mike.
Hi there ! I was just wondering if someone could help me with directions from Airdrie to Lower Kananaskis Lake i have heard alot about the Bull Trout experience there and am always looking for a new challenge and great views
Thanks Cam P
P.S. dont forget No Black , put it back
safe fishing everyone
Hi Mike,
I am a lake fisherman (walley, pike and perch), but am taking my kids camping to K-country August 21-25th.
I won’t have a boat and won’t be able to go on any long hikes, so where would you recommend I take a 5 and 7 yr old to catch a their first trout off the shore? And what lures would you suggest? Any help you (or anybody else from that neck of the woods) can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Hi There, The spot I love to fish when I am at the Lower lake is right at the outlet of the dam on the Smith Dorian creek side. I fish right off the rocks all the way to where Smith Dorian Creek runs into the lake. Massive Bull trout come into the shallows here to peg off minnows and flies close to the shoreline.
You need to park in the parking lot at Canyon and the lake is right there. Walk down to the lake and across the rocks, or follow the road at the top of the rocks onto a more suitable spot to stand and fish. All along that shoreline is great to fish and you should do good at this spot. Please send me pictures if you and your children catch some fish, I will post them on the Blog.
Thanks for your question,
~Mike
Thanks kindly for the tips! As for lures, I’ve heard you mention Len Thompson Grren Frog pattern spoons, but what size? Can you recommend a second type of lure (and color) to pick up, say a Mepps or Rapala. Thanks again and I’ll be more than happy to send you a pic of the kids!
Sure no problem, the bigger the better when it comes to the spoons. As for other types of lures, Rapala Countdown’s in the silver under body and the black colored top. Try also the Rainbow Pattern Countdown’s. Try also the Husky Jerk Rapala in the Blue, orange and silver color pattern, the bigger the better.
Spinners are good too, try the silver Panther Martin in the size 15. Blue Fox spinners will catch you fish here as well, I like the Vibrax Wild Eye spinners in the silver or Gold colors. I have everything I just listed and more with me when I fish here. I like to experiment a little when I fish here.
Hope that helps you,
~Mike.
Thank you kindly! These lures will all help me in landing a big old jack too!!!
dont give are secret away. its slowed down big time. they stocked the lakes two weeks ago. have been at the cabin the last 6 weeks waiting for u.
russ
Hey Russ, our secrets are safe among us buddy. Sure wish I was able to get up there these past weekends. Sorry we could not hook up and test that new boat out. I’m sure you and your dad our having a blast in it.
I am going up this weekend and I want to spend the night “Saturday” and fish the day away. I would like to camp out in my tent and fish again on Sunday. Please let me know if you are planning to make it out to the cabin this weekend.
Thanks for the update,
~Mike.
Hi,
I’m a newbie fly fisherman looking for a camping spot in Kananaskis that’s close to fishing access. I’ll be meeting up with some friends in mid-July. They won’t be fishing. I have a 9 foot rod with a floating spool and sinking tip spool. Any suggestions for spots and fly patterns would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Kahlil
Hello Kahlil, Bow Valley campground is a great spot to camp. The Bow River is very close as is the Kananaskis River. It is only a twenty minute drive from the Lower and Upper K Lakes from there.
Here is the link to there website http://www.bowvalleycampgrounds.com/
As per your fly fishing question, I don’t fly fish so I cannot help you with fly patterns.
Thanks,
~Mike