Fishing regulations
Waterton Lakes National Park
Fishing permits
A Parks Canada fishing permit is required in Waterton Lakes National Park. Provincial fishing licenses are not valid.
You can purchase a daily or annual permit at the Visitor Centre, Townsite Campground, and various businesses in the community. Annual permits expire on March 31 of each year.
Parks Canada manages federally protected waterbodies within the boundaries of Waterton Lakes National Park. Waterton Lakes National Park fisheries are regulated by the National Parks of Canada Fishing Regulations and site-specific Superintendent’s orders.
The Alberta Sportfishing Regulations do not apply in National Parks. Alberta sportfishing licenses are not valid in National Parks.
Report suspicious activities, poachers, polluters, or invasive species: 1-888-927-3367
Anyone under the age of 16 may fish in the national parks without a permit if accompanied by a national park fishing permit holder 16 years of age or older. However, their catch is then included within the permit holder’s daily limit.
A valid national park entry pass is also required when fishing in the mountain national parks.
A self-certification permit is required for all fishing and fishing related gear used in Waterton Lakes National Park.
Prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) threaten freshwater ecosystems, harm fish populations, damage infrastructure and reduce aquatic recreational opportunities.
Read more: Aquatic invasive species of concern in Waterton
Belly River and its tributaries are closed to angling due to the presence of whirling disease.
We need your help to prevent the further spread of AIS. Ensure all water-related items and gear follow all clean, drain, dry and certify practices. Additional restrictions apply for motorized and non-motorized watercraft.
Fishing regulations: 2025 season
Waterton Lakes Fishing Regulations (PDF, 260 kb)May 17 to September 1:
- Akamina Lake
- Cameron Lake
- Cameron Creek
- Crandell Lake
- Waterton Lakes (Upper and Middle)
July 1 to October 31:
- All other waters except closed waters.
Water levels and stream temperatures will be monitored within Waterton Lakes National Park, and drought-related closures will be issued if required.
Closed waters: All other flowing waters are closed to angling. This includes but is not limited to the following watercourses and their tributaries:
- Bauerman Creek
- Belly River (main channel, North Fork)
- Blakiston Creek
- Dungarvan Creek
- Maskinonge Lake and Inlet
- Sofa Creek
Using natural baits and chemical attractants is prohibited. The use of natural bait and chemical attractants for fishing is prohibited in all waters.
Felt-soled boots are prohibited in any water body. These boots are a perfect environment to hold whirling disease spores and other aquatic invasive species. Felt-soled wading boots hold more potential to transmit organisms between water bodies than any other piece of angling equipment.
Use barbless hooks only. This is a hook in which the barbs have been removed or pressed against the shaft, so they are non-functional. The use of barbed hooks is prohibited.
Check the Important Bulletins as other restrictions may be in place.Catch and possession limits
The possession limit is zero for many species in Waterton Lakes National Park. You must correctly identify your catch. If you are not sure, release it immediately.
Arctic grayling, rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, lake trout, northern pike, mountain whitefish, lake whitefish
Daily limit: 2
Possession limit: 2
Cutthroat trout: Akamina Lake, Alderson Lake, Bertha Lake, Cameron Creek, Cameron Lake, Carthew Lakes, Crypt Lake, Lineham Lakes, Lone Lake
Daily limit: 2
Possession limit: 2
Cutthroat trout: all other waters, including Goat Lake, Upper, Middle and Lower Waterton Lakes, and the Waterton River and its tributaries
Daily limit: 0
Possession limit: 0
Bull trout
Daily limit: 0
Possession limit: 0
All other species
Daily limit: 0
Possession limit: 0
If a fish has been filleted, two fillets will be considered one fish.
It is unlawful to continue fishing on any day after having caught and retained the maximum daily catch and possession limit.
How to identify your catch
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.
Help released fish survive
Give released fish the best chance of survival.
- Release fish as quickly as possible.
- Minimize the time you handle a fish. A fish handled too long may not survive even if released.
- Always bring fish up from depth slowly. Bringing fish up too quickly will rupture their air bladders and they may die.
- Always keep the fish in the water when handling and releasing.
- Handle the fish with bare, wet hands. Keep fingers away from the gills and do not squeeze to avoid injuring the fish.
- Remove the hook gently with needle-nosed pliers. If the hook is deep, cut the leader rather than pulling the hook out. The hook will decompose in time.
- If the fish is bleeding excessively, it will likely not survive if released. Kill it and include as part of your catch if permitted. Release all zero-possession species.
- Single hooks are recommended to release fish more easily. The use of barbed hooks is prohibited.
- Angling for trout in waters exceeding 18° C reduces the ability of these fish to survive the ‘catch and release’ process. Consider not angling during exceptionally hot weather periods.
General fishing regulations (Canada National Parks Act)
When angling, it is unlawful to:
- Fish without a valid national park fishing permit in your immediate possession.
- Fish with or possess within 100 metres of park waters the following:
- natural bait and chemical attractants;
- any lead tackle (sinkers, jigs, lures and flies) under 50 grams;
- lures with more than 2 gang hooks;
- a line capable of catching more than one fish at one time;
- live or dead fish or any parts thereof for use as bait.
- Fish by any method other than angling.
- Fish with more than one line at a time.
- Fish with a line having more than one artificial fly.
- Fish closed waters.
- Leave a fishing line unattended.
- Fish from 2 hours after sunset to one hour before sunrise.
- Sell, trade or barter any fish caught.
- Place or transfer any fish or fish eggs between any park waters.
- Place any food for fish in park waters.
- Harass fish by throwing objects or impeding their movements (for example, building rock dams in the stream).
- When fishing in park waters that allow possession (see Catch and possession limits), it is unlawful to:
- possess more than 2 game fish at one time;
- continue fishing on any day after having caught and retained the maximum daily catch and possession limit;
- allow your catch to spoil or to be wasted.
For a complete listing, refer to the National Parks of Canada Fishing Regulations.
Definitions
Angling: Fishing with a hook and line held in the hand or with a hook, line and rod held in the hand. It does not mean fishing with a set line.
Artificial fly: A single or double hook on a common shank, dressed with silk, tinsel, wood, fur, feathers or other materials (no lead), or any combination thereof without a spinning device, whether attached to the hook or line.
Natural bait ban: You can only use lures made of feathers, fibre, rubber, wood, metal or plastic. No edible material (plant or animal products), scented lures or chemical attractants are permitted.
Tributary: Any water course which flows into another body of water. This includes a tributary of a tributary. Lakes are excluded unless otherwise specified.
Trout: For the purposes of this summary, the word trout includes char species.
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