How to identify your catch

Banff National Park

Anglers are responsible for correctly distinguishing one fish species from another. If you are not sure which species you have caught, release it immediately. There are zero possession limits for many native species.

Legend

Black spots, light background
Cutthroat Trout 
© Karl Geist

Introduced Cutthroat Trout look similar to Westslope Cutthroat Trout - a species at risk. To keep these fish safe, follow our fishing regulations.

Rainbow Trout 
© Karl Geist

Introduced Rainbow Trout look very similar to Athabasca Rainbow Trout - a species at risk. To keep these fish safe, follow our fishing regulations.

Kokanee Salmon - not spawning 
© Karl Geist
Kokanee Salmon - spawning
© Karl Geist
Brown Trout
© Karl Geist
Arctic Grayling
© Karl Geist

Species at risk

Artic grayling can be identified by their colourful and very large dorsal fin and by their large scales with brown spots on the body behind the head.

Artic Grayling are a species at risk due to overharvest and passage barriers.

Text descriptions of fish with black spots in the mountain national parks

Cutthroat Trout: Spots more numerous towards the tail. Red slash under the lower jaw. Note: Red band may be present. Use red slash for proper identification. (BNP, JNP, KNP, YNP, WLNP, MRGNP)

Rainbow trout: Black spots from head to tail. A red band may be present on the sides. Note: Use a lack of red slash under the jaw for proper identification. (BNP, JNP, KNP, YNP, WLNP, MRGNP)

Kokanee salmon non-spawning: Bright silver sides, dark grey to blue on the back. No distinct black spots on the side. The anal fin has a long base with an angled trailing edge.

Kokanee salmon spawning: No distinct black spots on the side. Females and males have red bodies during fall spawn with green or black heads. Silver bodies for the remainder of the year. (KNP)

Brown trout: Square cut tail. Large spots on the head. Dark spots with very large halos. (BNP, WLNP)

Arctic grayling: Very large and colourful dorsal fin. Black, diamond-shaped spots along the sides. Large scales. (WLNP)

No black spots on the body
Bull Trout
© Karl Geist

Species at risk

Bull trout are slim fish with a large head. Their back is olive-green to grey while their sides are silvery and marked with pale yellow to red spots. There are no spots on the dorsal fin.

Bull Trout are a threatened species due to small population and concerns of viability. They have a zero possession limit across the province – IF YOU CATCH THIS FISH YOU MUST RELEASE IT.

Brook Trout
© Karl Geist
Lake Trout
© Karl Geist

Species at risk

Lake Trout are a grey fish with irregular white spots and a forked caudal fin.

Lake Trout are a sensitive species due to being limited to a few lakes.

Text descriptions of trout with no black spots in the mountain national parks

Bull trout: Tail slightly forked. No black spots. Pale yellow spots on the back. Red or orange spots on the side. A white leading edge on lower fins with no black line. (BNP, JNP, KNP, YNP, WLNP, MRGNP)

Brook trout: Tail nearly square. Worm-like mottling on the back and dorsal fin. Red spots with blue halos. White leading edge with a black line. (BNP, JNP, KNP, YNP, WLNP, MRGNP)

Lake trout: Deeply forked tail. Worm-like mottling. A white leading edge is often present on fins. Irregular white spots, none red or orange. (BNP, JNP, KNP, YNP, WLNP)

Others
Northern Pike
© Karl Geist
Mountain Whitefish
© Karl Geist
Lake Whitefish © Karl Geist
© Karl Geist
Text descriptions of northern pike, mountain and lake whitefish

Northern pike: Dorsal fin near tail. Large irregular spots in rows. Duck-like jaw. (JNP, WLNP)

Mountain whitefish: Deeply forked tail. Large scales. Small mouth below pointed snout. (BNP, JNP, KNP, YNP, WLNP, MRGNP)

Lake whitefish: Deeply forked tail. Small mouth below rounded snout. (BNP, JNP, WLNP)

Report suspicious activities, poachers, polluters, or invasive species: 1-888-WARDENS (1-888-927-3367)

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