The Best Fishing Spots in and near Edmonton That Make “Better Luck Next Time” Unlikely—Even for Newbies
In most cities, fishing takes skill, patience, and a questionable level of optimism. That’s not the case in Edmonton.
With waters loaded with easy catches, our city keeps it casual for rookies. Still, there are tougher waters for those who crave a little challenge, so veteran anglers shouldn’t pout.
The real question is “Where can you drop a line without reeling in just weeds and rusty cans?” Lucky for you, our team’s fishing aficionados have scouted the top spots and shared them below!
Fishing Spots in Edmonton
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park
– From waynen99
Address: 13221 Buena Vista Rd NW
Contact Details: (780) 442-5311
Operating Hours: Daily – 5 am to 11 pm
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park isn’t just all green spaces; it also sits on the North Saskatchewan River’s north bank. That means fishing here is as easy as pie, with the enchanting picnic spots adding some extra style points.
From our past escapades, walleye and lake sturgeon were the most common hauls, especially when we baited our hooks with dew worms and leeches. We caught several around drop-offs and feeder brooks, where the current slowed down.
| Tip: Don’t fish without knowing the area’s regulations. Ensure you have a license, too. These tips apply to all the entries here. |
Hermitage Park
– From africacentreyeg
Address: 2115 Hermitage Rd NW
Contact Details: (780) 442-5311
Operating Hours: Daily – 5 am to 11 pm
When we say Hermitage Park’s pond is stocked, we’re not just blowing smoke. Each year, it gets a fresh influx of brown and rainbow trout, normally around May.
Fishing here is also free; casting a line right from the shores won’t affect the catch rate, and using motorized boats is fair game. To sweeten the deal, each angler can take home a minimum of 5 rainbow trout.
| Tip: Don’t leave your pups at home. The park is dog-friendly, and there’s even an off-leash area! |
Dawson Park
– From emmer1408
Address: 10298 89 St NW
Contact Details: (780) 442-5311
Operating Hours: Daily – 5 am to 11 pm
Dawson Park isn’t just an accessible riverfront retreat; it’s also a prime destination for hefty walleye. To top it off, sauger, pike, and mountain whitefish are known to swim in by the bunches.
For better catch rates, plan your fishing trip between August and September. We also found that casting near the park’s sunken trees works wonders.
| Tip: Arrive early to enjoy the beautiful picnic sites. |
Whitemud Park
– From _alienandrea
Address: 13204 Fox Dr. NW
Contact Details: (780) 442-5311
Operating Hours: Daily – 5 am to 11 pm
Whitemud Park might be famous for its trails and picnic areas, but for us, it’s the perfect testing ground for our angling skills and patience.
On our latest trip, we snagged sauger, pike, and walleye, which usually gather at the creek’s mouth. We caught a few, and you also can. Just don’t expect overflowing and easy hauls!
| Tip: Check the park’s map to avoid getting lost. |
Terwillegar Park
– From preet.26wala
Address: 10 Rabbit Hill Rd NW
Contact Details: (780) 442-5311
Operating Hours: Daily – 5 am to 11 pm
Terwillegar Park is another riverfront destination our team keeps coming back to. The main casting spot on the stormwater outfall has a gravel beach, so we never have to trudge through the sand while waiting.
The fish variety here is a plus too; we’re always landing pike and goldeye, with the occasional burbot in spring. Even better, the park is dog-friendly, and there are shallow spots perfect for a swim session with pups.
| Tip: There are no BBQ grills here. Fill up before you go, or bring snacks to avoid hunger pangs. |
Rundle Park
– From maddmaxphotos
Address: 2909 113 Ave NW
Contact Details: (780) 422-5311
Operating Hours: Daily – 5 am to 11 pm
Rundle Park is a no-brainer for those who want to take a breather. Here, you can find zen through disc golfing, skating, and, of course, urban fishing.
Like most entries, the North Saskatchewan River is the prime fishing zone, where pike, walleye, and goldeye are standard catches. Don’t be surprised if you also hook tons of whitefish, as they often swim in clusters here.
| Tip: Bring your kiddos. Rundle Park has multiple play spaces, including soccer fields and a playground. |
Fishing Spots near Edmonton
Muir Lake
– From p_and_rews
Address: Parkland County
Distance from Edmonton: 14 mins
Our journey to Muir Lake clocked in at about 40 minutes. Any regrets? Absolutely none since we snagged some impressive trophy catches, particularly rainbow and brown trout.
Casting and waiting for biters proved to be a breeze as well, thanks to the wide, well-maintained boardwalk. Signage was also plentiful, keeping us on course while sharing fishing essentials, from the lake’s finest spots to the most effective baits.
| Tips: Download the free map before heading to the lake. Spring (March to May) is the best time to fish here! |
Pigeon Lake
– From countrybabecitybabe
Address: Pigeon Lake
Distance from Edmonton: 1 hr and 15 mins
With an impressive 96.7 km² surface area and a depth of 9.1 meters, Pigeon Lake unsurprisingly has aquatic life by spades. You can catch multiple species here, like walleye, spottail shiner, emerald shiner, Iowa darter, and trout perch.
Amenities also boost this spot’s popularity, featuring shower rooms for a quick freshen-up and boat launches for easy lake access. Spotting birds and mammals is the norm as well, although ice-fishing trips might leave you with a bit more solitude and a little less wildlife.
| Tip: Make the fishing trip convenient by camping. |
Wabamun Lake Provincial Park
– From jacobv_club
Address: Township Rd 531A, Parkland County
Distance from Edmonton: 45 mins
Contact Details: (780) 892-2702
Operating Hours: Mon to Fri – 9 am to 9 pm
No shame in admitting you’ve hit up Wabamun Lake Provincial Park more times than you can remember; we’re right there with you. Fishing here just clicks, thanks to its well-stocked waters and pristine outlooks at every turn.
It’s even better for walleye and pike lovers, as the lake boasts large ones. Burbot and yellow perch can be caught too, particularly when you hit the water during that magical golden hour.
| Tip: The park (parks edmonton) has several rules and regulations, so familiarize yourself with them. |
Long Lake
Address: Long Lake
Distance from Edmonton: 56 mins
Long Lake keeps our hair as fresh as ever; no gray strands from frustration here. Shore-fishing is doable, and the well-paved trails make it easy to shuffle from point A to B when the fish don’t bite.
In terms of catches, walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch are the most common. If you have a boat, hit the launch and venture away from the shore for a better shot at reeling in the big ones.
| Tip: Book a campsite for convenience. |
Calling Lake
– From dangerdeb136
Address: Calling Lake
Distance from Edmonton: 2 hrs and 22 mins
Calling Lake spans a generous 138 km². The odds of heading home empty-handed are slim, but be prepared for a bit of a trek; it’s a solid 2 hours and 30 minutes from Edmonton.
If the drive doesn’t bother you, the rewards are large walleye, cisco, and longnose suckers. The best part is once your fishing itch is scratched, you can take a plunge into the shallows or hop in a kayak!
| Tip: Bring your own firewood if you want to save money. |
Lakeland Provincial Recreation Area
– From j0shingar0und
Address: 9503 Beaverhill Rd, Lac la Biche
Distance from Edmonton: 2 hrs and 26 mins
Contact Details: (780) 623-5235
Operating Hours: Mon to Fri – 8:15 am to 4:30 pm
When life gets us down, a trip to Lakeland Provincial Recreation Area is our go-to. The backcountry trails offer a much-needed escape, while the waters teem with more than 10 species, from fathead minnows to burbot.
We also never had to worry about convenience here, as there are 16 campsites with modern amenities, all just a stone’s throw from the water. And because it’s a dark sky reserve, night fishing here is extra starry.
| Tip: There are hunting areas around, but don’t forget to review the regulations and requirements. |
Lac Ste Anne
– From therevalos
Address: Lac Ste Anne
Distance from Edmonton: 53 mins
Lac Ste Anne holds a special place in our hearts, being one of the first fishing hotspots that sparked our love for the sport. In addition, it hosts competitive events that really hooked us, including the Alberta Ice Fishing League.
Most importantly, we consistently reel in walleye and pike here—even back when we were rookies. The water is also home to heaps of yellow perch and burbot; if walleye and pike aren’t your jam, there are other scaly and slippery alternatives.
| Tip: The best time to fish here is early morning or evening. |
Morinville Fish and Game Pond
– From the_jarrett_family
Address: Morinville
Distance from Edmonton: 40 mins
We’re glad we didn’t let Morinville Fish and Game Pond’s small size fool us; getting rainbow and brown trout here was like shooting fish in a barrel.
Of course, we still had to be creative with spoons and small spinners, which proved to be the most effective lure. Beyond that, the pond’s picnic tables and concrete boat launch made the trip as convenient as it was fun.
| Tip: You can still visit Morinville Fish and Game Pond during winter for some ice fishing. |
Cardiff Trout Pond
– From walkwild.ca
Address: Sturgeon County
Distance from Edmonton: 33 mins
Contact Details: (780) 939-4321
“Small but stocked” perfectly sums up Cardiff Trout Pond. True to its name, trout—especially rainbow and tiger—are the primary bait-biters, and they usually get pulled in droves.
You can even double your chances by grabbing a kayak and moving a bit off the shore. But if you’re pretty lucky, you might bag a plethora of crawfish or minnows without venturing too far.
| Tip: You can grill here, thanks to the BBQ grills and sheltered picnic areas. |