General Fishing Information PHOTO GALLERY
I would like to welcome all the new visitors to the Blog from the Fishing Alberta Television’s website. Scott has been one of my favorite people to watch on T.V the past few years. I fish the Bow River on a weekly basis and in the summer months, a daily basis so all the info you will find on this site is current and accurate. I noticed a comment on Fishing Alberta’s website regarding access points and felt compelled to share my knowledge. Not all Calgarians keep secrets by the way folks. I believe we all need to share some information and help our fellow fisherman.
In regards to accessing this fantastic river system, Fish Creek is a good starting point for any out of town fisherman. Here are two great spots in the river that can be accessed by car or truck and are right beside the river. Both sides of the river in this area offer great fishing with the first spot listed being a little less fished. McKenzie Meadows golf course road is a good way to access the East bank of the Bow River. Take Deerfoot Trail to 22X and make a right or left turn, depending on which way you are traveling onto McKenzie Lake Blvd and turn at the first left onto McKenzie Meadows Dr S.E which is the road that will take you to the golf course. Google Earth will help you here. Keep going straight until you reach the Bow River. I fish just a little upstream of the bridge as the water is deeper and slower in this area.
The West side of the river (Fish Creek Park) is accessed via a neighborhood called Deer Run. Bow Bottom Trail south will take you into Fish Creek Park and will get you within 10 yards of the Bow River. Fishing on this side of the river is iffy at best as this spot is heavily fished. Head downstream of the 22X Bridge as there are some nice deeper holes here. The Alberta fishing regulations state that all trout over 35 cm must be released and the use of bait is prohibited here on the Bow River. I hope this helps anyone who likes to fish but is unfamiliar with the city. Any further questions can be asked under any post of the Blog. Feel free to ask any question pertaining to fishing and I will be happy to answer all your questions. Happy fishing, Mike.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Jon Hoffmann // May 17, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Hi Mike: We plan to fish the Bow in early August and plan to stay in Otokots since it appears close to the Bow. In addition to an Alberta fishing license, will we need a special waters license? Jon
2 bowriverblog // May 17, 2007 at 11:23 pm
Hi Jon, you have picked a very nice place to say in Okotoks, very close to the Bow River indeed. Your drive will take 15 minutes to reach the river. As per the fishing licence, you do not need any special fishing licence unless you plan to fish in a provincial park, Banff, Jasper etc. Your Alberta fishing licence covers all waters in the province except provincial parks.
Thanks for your questions and feel free to ask any other questions you may have, I am here to help in any way possible. If you require guiding services I can accomidate that as well Jon. Have a great night and happy fishing to you. Mike
3 Hans // Sep 23, 2007 at 7:34 am
Hi Mike,
your site and the images are very impressing ! Just a question. Why is that regulation that fish above 35 cm has to be released ? For me (from Germany) was it always logical to release fish beneath a certain length, like f.e. 25 cm, to give it the chance to grow.
Or is it for attracting sports fishers and selling licenses ?
Best regards, Hans
PS Thank you for the tip to fish on trouts at night, I’ll try that too.
4 bowriverblog // Sep 23, 2007 at 9:35 am
Hello Hans, first of all thank you for posting your comment here on the Bow River Blog. The reason for the regulations here on the river makes good sence, the Bow River is a trophy trout fishery and hundreds of people from all over the world come here to fish this excellent river. Tourism is a big part of our economy and employs many people here in Alberta.
The Bow River has many fish over 20 inches in length and this is what attracts people from all over the world. Nowhere in the world is the fishing as good as here on the Bow River. The Alberta government wants to keep people coming here and as a result, they want to keep the big fish in the river system. Once in awhile they changes the regulations and will let you keep fish over 35cm of 14 inches long. This equals out the fish population on the river and balances out the ecosystem. Thanks again and I hope this addresses your question.
~Mike~
5 Chris // Mar 16, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Mike: I live in Calgary and know most of the Bow access points in the city and few outside the city like Policeman’s Flats & Mckinnon Flats. Are there other access points that the public can drive to that you’d be willing to share?? Are there any other places to park and walk between Policeman’s and McKinnon’s?? Also, have you fished further down river towards Carseland?? What’s the fishing like above & below the Carseland weir??
6 bowriverblog // Mar 16, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Hello again Chris, there are many access points to list Chris so I will give you a few.
There are really good access points at Fish Creek park as you pass through Deer Run. I park in the lot there and start walking up and down the Bow River from there. Many good places at that location.
Next is a place many people know about so this is no secret spot, it’s called Nature’s Hideaway which is located between Policeman’s Flats and McKinnon Flats. Google Earth will help you find it as it’s kind of tucked away.
Here is the thing Chris, if you willing to walk several kilometers from where you park at either Police or Mac, then you will see many different great spots to cast your X-Rap. Walking and discovering new water is what I look forward to. If you are willing to walk and see new things than you will be rewarded with some nice fish for your efforts. I hope that helps you and keep on asking questions if you need help. Feel free to click on some Google Ads while you are here too Chris, I would appreciate that.
~Mike.
7 Chris // Mar 16, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Thanks for the reply Mike. I’ve been to Nature’s Hideway … it was a few years ago and we just camped for a night or two. I’ve give that a try. And I’m up for the hikes, I just know from a couple of guided float trips that its a long way between Policeman’s and Mckinnon’s so there’s lots of river to cover.
8 bowriverblog // Mar 16, 2008 at 5:01 pm
No problem Chris, It’s tough to find places to park near the river between those places as it’s all farm land in that stretch of the river.
If your looking to take a trip let me know. I can help you with that.
See you soon Chris.
~Mike.
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