Alberta’s Eastern Slopes Zone 2 (ES2) encompasses the Red Deer River and North Saskatchewan River watersheds, offering exceptional fishing opportunities in pristine mountain and foothill waters. This comprehensive guide details the regulations for rivers, creeks, streams, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds within ES2 to help you fish legally and sustainably.
Important: Regulations can change. Always consult the most current official Alberta Guide to Sportfishing Regulations before heading out. This summary is for informational purposes only.
Understanding ES2 Waters
The ES2 Watershed Unit covers:
- Red Deer River watershed upstream of the Dickson Dam west of Innisfail
- North Saskatchewan River watershed upstream of Highway 22/39 near Drayton Valley
These watersheds support diverse trout populations, mountain whitefish, and various sport fish species. The region’s tributary creeks flow into larger streams and major rivers, creating a rich aquatic ecosystem throughout the mountains and foothills along the Rocky Mountains.
Understanding the Legend
Limits:
Regulations list the species name and limit (e.g., “Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm” means 5 Mountain Whitefish each over 30 cm). “0 fish” or “0 trout” means catch and release only – you must immediately release that species unharmed.
Bait Restrictions:
- ● (Bullet point) = Bait allowed, except bait fish
- Bait ban = No bait allowed (only lures/flies)
- Bait and bait fish allowed = Both bait and bait fish may be used
Important Notes:
- Trout Total: Combined limit for all trout species
- Closed: Angling is prohibited during the specified period
- Empty cells: Species not likely present; if caught, default regulations apply
Critical ES2 Bait Fishing Rules
Fishing with bait in ES2 streams is NOT allowed – this is a zone-wide rule.
Bait fishing IS allowed at lakes without specific bait bans.
Bait fish are ONLY allowed at these five waterbodies:
- Burnstick Lake
- Brazeau Canal
- Cow Lake
- Jackfish Lake
- Gleniffer (Reservoir) Lake
Ice Fishing Restrictions
Ice fishing is NOT PERMITTED in ES2 when fishing:
- Into beaver ponds
- Into flowing waters
ES2 Default Regulations
If a waterbody is not specifically listed in the tables below, follow these default regulations:
Default Lake Regulations
- Season: Open all year
- Bull Trout: 0 (catch and release)
- Arctic Grayling: 0 (catch and release)
- Trout Total: 5
- Walleye: 3 over 50 cm
- Northern Pike: 3
- Yellow Perch: 15
- Mountain Whitefish: 5 over 30 cm
- Burbot: 10
- Bait: Allowed (except bait fish)
Default Stream Regulations
April 1 – August 31:
- Bull Trout: 0 (catch and release)
- Arctic Grayling: 0 (catch and release)
- Trout Total: 2
- Cutthroat Trout: Over 35 cm only
- Mountain Whitefish: 5 over 30 cm
- Walleye: 3 over 50 cm
- Northern Pike: 3
- Yellow Perch: 15
- Burbot: 10
- Bait ban in effect
September 1 – October 31:
- Bull Trout: 0 (catch and release)
- Arctic Grayling: 0 (catch and release)
- Trout and Mountain Whitefish: 0 (catch and release)
- Walleye: 3 over 50 cm
- Northern Pike: 3
- Yellow Perch: 15
- Burbot: 10
- Bait ban in effect
November 1 – March 31: CLOSED
ES2 Rivers, Creeks and Streams Regulations
Alford Creek
Mainstem and tributaries:
- April 1 – August 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
- September 1 – March 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Baptiste River
Mainstem only:
- April 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Walleye 3 over 50 cm, Northern Pike 3 fish, Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
Bighorn River
Mainstem and tributaries upstream of Crescent Falls:
- June 16 – August 31: Bait ban. Rainbow Trout over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
- September 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Trout Total: 0.
Mainstem and tributaries downstream of Crescent Falls:
- June 16 – August 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm, Rainbow Trout over 35 cm. Trout Total: 2.
- September 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Blackstone River
Mainstem and tributaries upstream of Mons Creek including Mons Creek: CLOSED ALL YEAR
Mainstem downstream of Mons Creek and tributaries (except Rundell Creek):
- June 16 – October 31: Bait ban. Burbot 0 fish, Mountain Whitefish 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Brazeau River
Mainstem upstream of Forestry Trunk Road (bridge at 6-16-45-18-W5) and tributaries (except Cardinal River), outside Jasper National Park:
- June 16 – August 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm, Rainbow Trout over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
- September 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Mainstem downstream of Forestry Trunk Road to Brazeau Reservoir:
- April 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Walleye 3 over 50 cm, Northern Pike 3 over 63 cm, Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm, Rainbow Trout over 35 cm. Trout Total: 2.
Mainstem downstream of Brazeau Reservoir:
- April 1 – October 31: Bait ban. All species 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Burnt Timber Creek
Mainstem and tributaries (except Pinto Creek):
- April 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Burbot 0 fish, Northern Pike 3 fish, Mountain Whitefish 3 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
Cardinal River
Mainstem and tributaries:
- June 16 – October 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Clear Creek
Mainstem and tributaries:
- April 1 – August 31: Bait ban. Northern Pike 3 fish, Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
- September 1 – March 31: Bait ban. Northern Pike 3 fish, Mountain Whitefish 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Clearwater River
Mainstem from Banff National Park boundary to Timber Creek:
- April 1 – August 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
- September 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Tributaries from Banff National Park boundary to and including Timber Creek: CLOSED ALL YEAR
Mainstem from Timber Creek to Forestry Trunk Road (bridge at 5-35-09-W5) and tributaries (except Elk Creek):
- April 1 – August 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
- September 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Mainstem from Forestry Trunk Road to North Saskatchewan River:
- April 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Walleye 3 over 50 cm, Northern Pike 3 fish, Burbot 10 fish, Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
Cline River
Mainstem and tributaries to Highway 11 bridge (except tributaries to Coral Lake, Pinto Lake, White Goat Wilderness Area, and Pinto Lake outlet for 1.5 km):
- June 16 – August 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm, Rainbow Trout over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
- September 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 0 fish, Rainbow Trout 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Devil’s Fork (Unnamed) Creek
4-45-16-W5; Tributary to Brazeau River: CLOSED ALL YEAR
Dogpound Creek
Mainstem and tributaries:
- April 1 – June 15: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 0 fish, Brown Trout 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
- June 16 – August 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm, Brown Trout over 40 cm. Trout Total: 2.
- September 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 0 fish, Brown Trout 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Elk Creek
Mainstem and tributaries; 33-35-12-W5:
- April 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Fall Creek
Mainstem and tributaries upstream of falls at 11-31-37-11-W5:
- June 16 – October 31: Bait ban. Trout Total: 0.
Mainstem and tributaries downstream of falls: CLOSED ALL YEAR
Fallentimber Creek
Mainstem and tributaries:
- April 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 3 over 30 cm, Brown Trout 0 fish. Trout Total: 2.
James River
Mainstem and tributaries:
- April 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Burbot 0 fish, Northern Pike 3 fish, Mountain Whitefish 3 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
Little Red Deer River
Headwater to Twp. Rd. 352 (Cottonwood Road) and tributaries (except Dogpound Creek):
- April 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Northern Pike 3 fish, Burbot 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Lynx Creek
Mainstem and tributaries:
- June 16 – October 31: Bait ban. Trout Total: 0.
Nordegg River
Mainstem and tributaries:
- April 1 – October 31: Bait ban. All species 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
North Ram River
Mainstem and tributaries:
- June 16 – October 31: Bait ban. Trout Total: 0.
North Raven River (Stauffer Creek)
Mainstem and tributaries:
- Open all year: Bait ban. Northern Pike 3 fish, Burbot 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
North Saskatchewan River
Mainstem and tributaries from Banff National Park boundary to Abraham Lake (2-18-36-17-W5) including tributaries to Abraham Lake (except Cline River and Siffleur River):
- April 1 – August 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm, Rainbow Trout over 30 cm, Cutthroat Trout over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
- September 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Mainstem from Bighorn Dam to Highway 22/39:
- April 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Sauger 0 fish, Walleye 3 over 50 cm, Northern Pike 3 fish, Burbot 10 fish, Goldeye 10 fish, Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm, Rainbow Trout over 35 cm. Trout Total: 2.
Tributaries from Bighorn Dam to Highway 22/39 (except Baptiste River, Bighorn River, Brazeau River, Clearwater River, Ram River, Wolf Creek, and Washout Creek):
- April 1 – August 31: Bait ban. Sauger 0 fish, Walleye 3 over 50 cm, Northern Pike 3 fish, Burbot 10 fish, Goldeye 10 fish, Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm, Rainbow Trout over 35 cm. Trout Total: 2.
- September 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Sauger 0 fish, Walleye 3 over 50 cm, Northern Pike 3 fish, Burbot 10 fish, Goldeye 10 fish, Mountain Whitefish 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Pinto Creek
35-29-10-W5; Tributary to North Burnt Timber Creek; Mainstem and tributaries: CLOSED ALL YEAR
Prairie Creek
Mainstem upstream of North Fork Road and tributaries (except Swan Creek and tributaries between Vetch and Swan Creek):
- April 1 – August 31: Bait ban. Northern Pike 3 fish, Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
- September 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Northern Pike 3 fish, Mountain Whitefish 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Mainstem and tributaries between Vetch and Swan Creeks:
- April 1 – August 31: Bait ban. Northern Pike 3 fish, Mountain Whitefish 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Remainder of mainstem downstream of North Fork Road (except portion between Vetch and Swan Creeks):
- April 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Walleye 3 over 50 cm, Northern Pike 3 fish, Burbot 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Ram River (South Ram River)
Mainstem and tributaries (except Fall Creek):
- June 16 – October 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Raven Brood Trout Station
SW-5-36-5-W5; All water within: CLOSED ALL YEAR
Raven River
Mainstem and tributaries (except North Raven River/Stauffer Creek):
- April 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Burbot 0 fish, Northern Pike 3 fish, Mountain Whitefish 3 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 0.
Red Deer River
Mainstem and tributaries from Banff National Park boundary to Forestry Trunk Road (13-31-10-W5):
- April 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Burbot 0 fish, Mountain Whitefish 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Mainstem from Forestry Trunk Road to Gleniffer Lake and tributaries (except Fallentimber Creek, Raven River, North Raven River, and Pinto Creek):
- April 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Burbot 0 fish, Northern Pike 3 fish, Yellow Perch 10 fish, Mountain Whitefish 3 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
Rundell Creek
27-44-15-W5; Mainstem and tributaries: CLOSED ALL YEAR
Siffleur River
Mainstem and tributaries downstream from Banff National Park boundary: CLOSED ALL YEAR
Siffleur Wilderness Area
All water within the Wilderness Area: CLOSED ALL YEAR
Swan Creek
Mainstem and tributaries; Downstream for 2 km below Swan Lake:
- April 1 – August 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
Remainder including tributaries to Swan Lake:
- April 1 – August 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
- September 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Tay River
Mainstem and tributaries:
- April 1 – August 31: Bait ban. Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
- September 1 – March 31: CLOSED
Washout Creek
24-47-8-W5; Mainstem and tributaries:
- Open all year: Bait ban. Northern Pike 3 fish, Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
White Goat Wilderness Area
All water within the Wilderness Area: CLOSED ALL YEAR
Wolf Creek
13-47-8-W5; Rose Creek; Mainstem and tributaries:
- Open all year: Bait ban. Northern Pike 3 fish, Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
ES2 Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds Regulations
Abraham Lake
36-37-18-W5; All waters within high water level; includes downstream of Highway 11 (Cline River) bridge and downstream of 2-18-36-17-W5 on North Saskatchewan River:
- Open all year: Bait ban. Walleye 3 fish, Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm, Rainbow Trout over 30 cm, Cutthroat Trout over 30 cm. Trout Total: 5.
Allstones Lake
30-38-17-W5:
- Open all year: Bait allowed (except bait fish). Trout Total: 2.
Beaver Lake
16-35-6-W5:
- April 1 – November 30: Bait ban. Trout Total: 0.
Birch Lake
18-35-6-W5:
- Open all year: Bait allowed (except bait fish). Lake Trout 1 fish. Trout Total: 3.
Brazeau Canal
3-46-11-W5:
- Open all year: Bait and bait fish allowed. Walleye 3 over 50 cm, Northern Pike 3 fish.
Brazeau Reservoir
12-46-12-W5:
- Open all year: Bait allowed (except bait fish). Northern Pike 3 fish, Mountain Whitefish 5 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 5.
Burnstick Lake
12-35-7-W5; Includes tributaries for 1 km upstream:
- May 15 – March 31: Bait and bait fish allowed. Northern Pike 0 fish, Lake Trout 1 over 63 cm, Yellow Perch 5 fish. Trout Total: 5.
Coral Lake
21-38-20-W5:
- August 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Trout Total: 1 over 35 cm.
- Tributaries and outlet for 1 km: CLOSED ALL YEAR
Cow Lake
12-38-8-W5:
- May 15 – March 31: Bait and bait fish allowed. Northern Pike 0 fish, Yellow Perch 15 fish, Mountain Whitefish 5 fish (any size). Trout Total: 0.
Dormer Lake
28-30-11-W5:
- Open all year: Bait allowed (except bait fish). Trout Total: 2.
Eagle Lake
11-32-11-W5:
- Open all year: Bait allowed (except bait fish). Trout Total: 2.
Entry Lake
18-36-18-W5:
- Open all year: Bait allowed (except bait fish). Trout Total: 2.
Fiesta Lake
15-12-35-6-W5:
- April 16 – October 31: Bait ban. Trout Total: 0.
Gap Lake
5-39-13-W5:
- Open all year: Bait allowed (except bait fish). Trout Total: 2.
Gleniffer Lake
30-35-2-W5:
- Open all year: Bait and bait fish allowed. Walleye 1 fish, Northern Pike 1 fish, Yellow Perch 10 fish, Mountain Whitefish 3 over 30 cm. Trout Total: 2.
Ice Lake
13-31-12-W5:
- Open all year: Bait allowed (except bait fish). Trout Total: 2.
Ironside Pond
7-38-7-W5:
- April 16 – October 31: Bait ban. Trout Total: 0.
Jackfish Lake
6-41-11-W5; Includes tributaries and outlet for 1 km downstream:
- May 15 – March 31: Bait and bait fish allowed. Northern Pike 0 fish, Yellow Perch 0 fish, Mountain Whitefish 5 fish.
Job (Wilson or Blue) Lake
20-39-20-W5; Includes tributaries and outlet for 1.5 km downstream: CLOSED ALL YEAR
Jumping Fish (Unnamed) Lake
NE 30 & SE 31-44-17-W5 (tributary to Brown Creek); Including inlets, outlet and tributaries: CLOSED ALL YEAR
Kinglet Lake
35-35-18-W5:
- Open all year: Bait ban. Trout Total: 0.
Lake Of Falls
10-36-19-W5:
- July 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Trout Total: 2.
- Tributaries and outlet for 1.5 km downstream: July 1 – August 31: Bait ban. Trout Total: 2.
Landslide Lake
7-36-18-W5:
- Open all year: Bait allowed (except bait fish). Trout Total: 2.
Lost Guide Lake
9-34-14-W5:
- Open all year: Bait allowed (except bait fish). Trout Total: 2.
Michele Lakes (Upper and Lower)
2,11-36-20-W5:
- August 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Trout Total: 1 over 35 cm.
- Tributaries: CLOSED ALL YEAR
Muskiki Lake
5-45-20-W5:
- Open all year: Bait ban. Lake Trout 1 fish over 40 cm. Trout Total: 5.
Obstruction Lakes
6-40-20-W5:
- Open all year: Bait allowed (except bait fish). Trout Total: 2.
Pinto Lake
25-36-21-W5; Includes tributaries and outlet for 1.5 km downstream: CLOSED ALL YEAR
Resolute Lake
13-35-19-W5; Includes tributaries and outlet:
- April 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Northern Pike 0 fish. Trout Total: 0.
Ruby Lake
22,27-44-22-W5:
- June 1 – October 31: Bait ban. Northern Pike 0 fish. Trout Total: 2.
Siffleur Wilderness Area
All water within the Wilderness Area: CLOSED ALL YEAR
Swan Lake
26-36-9-W5; For outlet regulations see Swan Creek:
- June 16 – September 15: Bait ban. Walleye 3 fish. Trout Total: 1.
- November 1 – January 15: Bait ban. Walleye 3 fish. Trout Total: 1 over 70 cm.
White Goat Wilderness Area
All water within the Wilderness Area: CLOSED ALL YEAR
Emergency Closures
Alberta Fish and Wildlife may announce short-term emergency stream closures in response to:
- Low stream flows
- Warmer water temperatures
During emergency closures, sportfishing is suspended and not allowed for the duration of the emergency period. Check Alberta Fish and Wildlife announcements before your trip.
Final Reminders
Check Official Sources
This information is a summary based on the 2025 Alberta fishing license and regulations. Always verify with the latest official regulations available at mywildalberta.ca or in the printed guide.
Licensing Requirements
Ensure you have a valid Alberta Sportfishing Licence and WiN card if required.
General Regulations
Be aware of:
- Hook and line restrictions
- Proper handling of catch and release fish
- National Park regulations if fishing within park boundaries
- Special closures and restrictions
- Size and possession limits
Conservation Ethics
- Practice careful catch and release
- Handle fish minimally and with wet hands
- Respect all closures and seasonal restrictions
- Report violations to the Report-A-Poacher line free number at 1-800-642-3800
- Help maintain healthy fish populations for future generations
Understanding “Mainstem”
In ES2, the mainstem of a river includes:
- The mainstem channel
- Any side channels
- Oxbows
- Riparian flow channels
- Plunge pools below spillways
Enjoy your fishing adventures in ES2’s pristine mountain and foothill waters!
