Easiest trout pond or lake close to Calgary

[Halkon]

Hello folks, I'm a new angler that's learning a lot of this new hobby, I live in Calgary and I started fishing in april. I've been skunked most of my trips, I just had some success at chestemere with 4-5 pikes just under the legal size, but as one member said :" if you can't catch one there with a spoon aiming at the grass find another hobby".

So I've been looking like crazy for tips and advice for catching trout, I already have some spoons and spinners and a Rapala Shad c-9 I think, so I'm more familiar to spining now than anything else. I saw several videos on how to set up a bait rig, I'm going to try that as soon as I can.

So that's my introduction, now the question, what's the best trout Lake or pond close to Calgary that I can fish in? I'm starting to get frustrated and I just want a good day where I can take home a few fishes, just as I promised the wife. On top of that July 6&7 are the family and friends no fishing license required day, so I want to take my brother and have some success to see if the fishing bug gets to him.

I already went to Dickson dam but it was too early in the season, the trout pond was covered by Ice; I went to chain lakes in but got skunked (late April), I went to chestemere and was successful only with pike as I mentioned, and last weekend a buddy and I hit the sheep river near black diamond bit the current was very strong and the water was extremely murky so I just casted for an our just for the sake of it but obviously got skunked again.

So I'm really looking forward to hear some advice, I want some trout dinner!

[TROLLER]

Go out to Grotto pond throw a shrimp with a slip bobber or slip sinker.Should have no problem catching one or two of the released trout.

[Scott N]

I'm not sure how far you consider "close" to Calgary, but the Pincher Creek area has some pretty good stocked trout lakes. Personally I really like Beaver Mines Lake, it's about 2.5 hours once you've reached Calgary's southern limit.

I've always had better luck with trout using flies, so you might consider adding an "adjust-a-bubble" type of float and a few flies to your tackle box so you can use flies on a spinning rod. Pick up a few gold ribbed hare's ears and pheasant tail nymphs (about a size 12 or 14), and some black / brown / green woolly buggers (size 8-12) and you have another option.

I used to take a few friends just starting to fish out to Mclean Pond by Bragg Creek and has some luck if Beaver Mines is a bit too far.

Troller's advise about a slip bobber is also good, and depending where you go, sometimes pickerel rigs with shrimp / marshmallows / powerbait are a good option.

[i love fishing]

Airdrie pond if it still has fish
use powerbait /cheese(fish off dock)

[graybeard]

Airdrie pond if it still has fish
use powerbait /cheese(fish off dock)

Dewitt's Pond.....north 15 minutes from Calgary

Winchell Lake, Water Valley....north 1 hour from Calgary

Small Panther Martin's work fine as well.....Lots of guys fly fish too.

Good luck,

[ecsuplander]

The fly fusion forum has a dedicated section to Calgary community lakes. From what i've read on there, some pretty big fish to caught right in the city. Mackenzie lake being one place in particular. Lake Chapparal is also mentioned. Not sure though because I don't live in Calgary.

[i love fishing]

Nevermind dont even go to Airdrie pond

[EddieS]

Chain Lakes is pretty good. Around an hour south from Calgary near Nanton - use bait as simple as worms has done the trick plenty of times.

[Nikon Travis M.]

Nevermind dont even go to Airdrie pond

I was looking to head there this weekend, no good?

[i love fishing]

I was looking to head there this weekend, no good?

Last time I went there, I got tons of nibbles but I'm pretty sure those were minnows. But If you are going their bring cheese and powerbait. They might have restocked it.

[slough shark]

Last time I went there, I got tons of nibbles but I'm pretty sure those were minnows. But If you are going their bring cheese and powerbait. They might have restocked it.

The nibbles are likely Prussian carp, that pond gets most of the trout caught there within month as it is pounded pretty well during most daylight hours from the day it’s stocked, I’ve dropped by and seen like 20 cars on a tuesday early afternoon

[i love fishing]

The nibbles are likely Prussian carp, that pond gets most of the trout caught there within month as it is pounded pretty well during most daylight hours from the day it’s stocked, I’ve dropped by and seen like 20 cars on a tuesday early afternoon

Are their carps in that pond?

[TROLLER]

Are their carps in that pond?

it is lousy with them . Have at it if you know how to catch em. Just do not put any back.

[i love fishing]

it is lousy with them. Have at it if you know how to catch em. Just do not put any back.

Do you know if Chains lake Reservoir has them? I'm heading there on Friday.

[TROLLER]

Not that I have ever heard Does have suckers

[Jmac11]

Most of the rainbows are fished out in Airdrie. The suckers are loving the cheese though 😉

[enbeya]

I would try Grotto or Mount Lorette