Bulletins

Banff National Park

Restricted Activity: paddling, fishing, scuba diving, and other non-motorized water activities

Issued: April 15, 2026

To protect park waters from aquatic invasive species, waters have been classified into three zone that restrict or prohibit certain water activities. Allowed activities require a valid aquatic invasive species prevention self-certification permit and equipment must comply with clean drain dry requirements (Table 1). See the Banff National Park water activities webpage for more information.

Water Recreation Zone: This zone includes many popular lakes and rivers where water activities can continue. Existing AIS prevention regulations and permits still apply.

Water Preservation Zone: This zone includes sensitive ecosystems that need extra protection. Only activities with a very low risk of introducing aquatic invasive species are allowed.

Special Tactics Zone - Lake Minnewanka: Special tactics zones are complex waterbodies that need site-specific tactics to meet their unique needs. Lake Minnewanka is ecologically sensitive and needs extra protection from aquatic invasive species.

Table 1. Summary of water activity restrictions in each zone.
Activity Water Recreation Zone Water Preservation Zone Lake Minnewanka
Swimming and beach toys Clean, Drain, Dry Clean, Drain, Dry Clean, Drain, Dry
Snorkeling Self-certification permit (only in Two Jack Lake) Self-certification permit Self-certification permit
Scuba diving1 Self-certification permit Prohibited Self-certification permit
Fishing without waders or wading boots2 Self-certification permit Self-certification permit Self-certification permit
Fishing with waders or wading boots2 Self-certification permit Prohibited Prohibited
Paddling and floating Self-certification permit Prohibited Prohibited
Motorized boating3 Prohibited Prohibited Parks Canada inspection permit

 : Equipment must comply with Clean, Drain, Dry requirements but does not require a permit.

 : Equipment must comply with Clean, Drain, Dry requirements and hold a valid aquatic invasive species prevention self-certification permit

 : Equipment must comply with Clean, Drain, Dry requirements and hold a valid Parks Canada inspection permit

 : Equipment is not allowed to be used
Table 2 Notes
Table Note 1

Find out more about restrictions on scuba diving in Banff National Park.

Return to table note 1 referrer

Table Note 2

Check Banff National Park fishing regulations for additional restrictions and closures.

Return to table note 2 referrer

Table Note 3

Find out more about motorized boating in Banff National Park.

Return to table note 3 referrer

What: Pursuant to Section 7(1) of the National Parks General Regulations, of the Canada National Parks Act, the following activities are restricted or prohibited by order of the Superintendent:

Water Recreation Zone

The following activities are allowed in this zone with a valid self-certification permit:
paddling and floating, fishing with waders and wading boots, fishing without waders and wading boots, snorkeling, and scuba diving (Two Jack Lake only).

Waters within the Water Recreation Zone (Figure 1):

  • Altrude Lake
  • Arnica Lake
  • Boom Lake
  • Bourgeau Lake
  • Bow River downstream of Hector Lake
  • Cascade Ponds
  • Copper Lake
  • Hector Lake
  • Herbert Lake
  • Johnson Lake
  • Lake Louise
  • Rockbound Lake
  • Smith Lake
  • Twin Lakes
  • Two Jack Lake
  • Vemilion Lakes
  • Vista Lake
  • Waterfowl Lakes

Water Preservation Zone:

The following activities are prohibited in this zone:
Paddling and floating, fishing with waders and wading boots, and scuba diving.

The following activities are allowed in this zone with a valid self-certification permit:
Fishing without waders and wading boots and snorkeling.

Waters within the Water Preservation Zone (Figure 1): All lakes and rivers not in the Water Recreation Zone or Special Tactics Zone including:

  • Baker Creek
  • Baker Lake
  • Bow Lake
  • Brewster Creek
  • Bryant Creek
  • Cascade River
  • Castilleja Lake
  • Chephren Lake
  • Cirque Lake
  • Deer Lake
  • Egypt Lake
  • Forty Mile Creek
  • Glacier Lake
  • Haiduk Lake
  • Healy Creek
  • Howard Douglas Lake
  • Howes River
  • Johnston Creek
  • Lake Agnes
  • Lake Gloria
  • Lake Merlin
  • Leman Lake
  • Luellen Lake
  • Mistaya River
  • Moose Lake
  • Moraine Lake
  • Mosquito Creek
  • Mummy Lake
  • North Saskatchewan River
  • Owl Lake
  • Panther River
  • Peyto Lake
  • Pharoah Creek
  • Pharoah Lake
  • Pipestone River
  • Ptarmigan Lake
  • Red Deer River
  • Redearth Creek
  • Redoubt Lake
  • Scarab Lake
  • Shadow Lake
  • Sphinx Lake
  • Spray River
  • Stoney Creek
  • Taylor Lake
  • Warden Lake
  • Watermelon Creek
  • Zigadenus Lake

Special Tactics Zone - Lake Minnewanka:

The following activities are prohibited in this zone:
Paddling and floating, and fishing with waders and wading boots.

The following activities are allowed in this zone with a valid self-certification permit:
Fishing without waders and wading boots, scuba diving, and snorkeling.

Waters within the Special Tactics Zone (Figure 1): Lake Minnewanka

Definitions:

“Paddling and floating” means: use of any boat, canoe, kayak, raft, stand-up paddleboard, inflatable craft, or other type or class of vessel that is not motorized. Inflatable craft include inflatables in which the user is able to sit, lie, or stand within or on top. 

“Fishing without waders and wading boots” means: use of fishing rods, tackle, gloves, nets, wet wading equipment such as rubber boots, water shoes, and sandals, or any other type of fishing equipment that comes into contact with water or animal material excluding waders and wading boots.

“Fishing with waders and wading boots” means: use of chest waders, waist waders, hip waders, with built-in or separate boots designed for the purpose of staying dry while walking through or standing in water.

“Snorkeling” means: use of wetsuits, dry suits, fins, mask, and snorkel.

“Scuba diving” means: use of wetsuits, dry suits, fins, mask, snorkel, tanks, weights, BCD, and regulator.

“Swimming and beach toys” means: use of bathing suits, swimming aids (e.g., PFD, pool noodle, children’s floaties), balls, frisbees, sand toys (e.g., plastic shovels and buckets).

Clean drain dry requirements:

cleanClean all mud, sand, plant, and animal materials from watercraft, gear, and angling equipment.

drainDrain all watercraft, gear, and angling equipment before leaving the waterbody.

dryDry for at least 48 hours when last used within Alberta, British Columbia, or the Canadian territories; or 30 days when last used elsewhere.

Exception: Authorized watercraft rentals available at Water Preservation Zone or Special Tactic Zone waterbodies that do not leave the waterbody.

PENALTY: Violators may be charged under the Canada National Parks Act: maximum penalty $25 000.

Start date: 2026-04-01
End date: until further notice

Figure 1. Water activity zones in Banff National Park.

Date modified :