Should Bow River Fishing Rules Be Simplified for Catch-and-Release?

Official title: Bow River fisheries regulation changes engagement

Closed Regulations & Permits Environment & Climate Natural Resources
Alberta asked anglers whether to simplify fishing regulations on the Bow River and manage it as a premier catch-and-release fishery. The river faced pressure from increased use, whirling disease, and rising water temperatures. Based on strong public support, new rules took effect in 2017 making the entire stretch from Banff to Bassano Dam open year-round with zero harvest limits.

Why This Matters

Fish the Bow River? These rules affect what you can keep and when you can cast a line. The Bow is considered one of Alberta's best trout fisheries. Even small harvests could hurt fish populations, so the province moved to protect it.

What Could Change

The regulations changed in 2017. The Bow River from Banff National Park to Bassano Dam is now open year-round with a complete bait ban. Harvest limits for trout, whitefish, pike, burbot, and walleye are all zero. It's strictly catch-and-release.

Key Issues

  • Were the existing Bow River fishing regulations too complicated?
  • Should the river be managed as a blue ribbon (trophy) fishery?
  • Should different sections of the river be unified under one set of rules?
  • Should the fishing season be open all year?

What Happened

The survey received responses showing strong support for changes: 55.4% found existing regulations too complicated, 76.1% supported unifying river sections into one management unit, 52.8% supported year-round fishing, and 85.4% supported blue ribbon management. As a result, simplified catch-and-release regulations were implemented in 2017.

View 'What We Heard' Report

Key Documents