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AS FIRST PRINTED IN HOOKED MAGAZINE – SPRING 2025
Alberta could be the best province in Canada to be a kayak angler. With roughly 800 fishable lakes in the province, many of the lakes are little more than ponds and are nearly impossible to access with traditional boats. Roughly a third of those lakes are stocked to the brim with trout and are further limited to human powered or electric motor only watercraft. This limitation gives the advantage to those of us that enjoy the simplicity and ease of paddle-powered watercraft.
With so few large lakes in the province, the line up at boat launches and marinas can be lengthy. It is not unheard of to wait nearly an hour to launch your boat at some of the busier lakes. That’s another area where kayak anglers have the advantage – kayaks can be launched from anywhere and there is usually no waiting necessary.
If you are new to kayak fishing or looking for a new lake to explore, be sure to check out a few of my favourites below.
Dolberg Lake
Fly fishing enthusiasts have likely heard about Dolberg lake, as it is well known for the quality of trout that can be caught here. Dolberg is situated about an hour and a half drive north-west of Edmonton and the local campground is managed by the county. One of the unique features of Dolberg is how the fishery is managed. This lake is one of the provinces Quality Stocked Lakes, by adjusting regulations through bait bans, reduced keep limits, and limiting the amount of fish stocked each year, Quality Stocked Lakes are specifically managed to produce larger than average trout.
Although stillwater fly fishing techniques are what you will typically see on Dolberg, one of my favourite methods for chasing big trout is trolling small crankbaits. During the spring and fall, I like to troll floating crankbaits as shallow as a few feet. As the water temperature increases, I will move deeper and troll near the edge of weedlines. Once summer is in full swing, the challenge becomes ensuring the crankbait bait runs at the depth where the trout are holding. I’ve found that running my same floating crank behind a dipsy diver or bottom bouncer to be the most reliable technique for keeping the lure at the proper depth.
Pigeon Lake
Pigeon Lake is a popular walleye destination located just under an hour south of Edmonton. What makes Pigeon such a great destination for quality kayak fishing is the easy access to structure and the many launch areas open to kayak anglers. While there are only a handful of boat launches, there are many areas that kayak anglers can utilize to access the water. Within nearly each community surrounding the lake, there is shore access where kayak anglers can unload their gear and launch from sandy beaches. Nearly every side of the lake is accessible this way, which means no matter which way the wind is blowing, you can have access to good water and great fishing.
One of the most popular spots, and easily accessible by kayak, is the dropoff located northeast of the Pigeon Lake Provincial Park boat launch. The hotspot is easily found, as there is usually a number of boats anchored and jigging lures over the side. My favourite presentation at Pigeon is the tried and true jig and minnow. Because of the popularity of the lake, fishing pressure is high and the walleye are typically wary of artificial presentations. However, the allure of a minnow is often too much for even the most skittish walleye to resist.
Burnstick Lake
Just 45 minutes south of Rocky Mountain House and nestled in the trees and rolling hills of the eastern slopes, Burnstick Lake is a small lake that is an easy paddle for beginners. I was first introduced to Burnstick Lake during a tournament stop on the Western Canada Kayak Fishing Trail. The tree lined shore and crystal clear water make for great views both above and below the waterline.
Within minutes of launching my kayak in the early morning of the kayak tournament, I hooked into several hungry northern pike. Fishing at Burnstick Lake is quite consistent, with plenty of weed growth along the shores and around the center island of the lake, northern pike are eager to ambush anything that swims within sight. The lake is also known for a healthy walleye and perch population which can usually be found in the deeper water. While access is limited to a single boat launch, the lake is small enough that nearly the entire lake is within reach of novice paddlers.
From my kayak, I have been able to fish and explore everything from the largest lakes, such as Cold Lake and Lesser Slave, to the smallest ponds, such as Dolberg or Muir Lake, that the province has to offer. There are so many options to explore that deciding on your next destination can be the hardest part. So, next time you are looking for a new kayak fishing adventure, I hope you will keep in mind some of my favourite Alberta waters.
