Bow River is considered to be one of the best trout fisheries in Canada. It is very popular among fly fishermen but spin casting can be quite effective at Bow as well.
Since the flooding of 2013 and due to swirling disease, the quality of fishing slightly declined in Bow River however it is still a very popular year-round fishing destination.
Bow River begins at Bow Glacier located in Banff. From there it flows toward Calgary and then south-east where it combines with Oldman River and becomes South Saskatchewan River.
Near downtown Calgary, Elbow River joins with Bow and becomes one river.
The most popular and productive portion of Bow River is between Calgary Downtown and Bassano Dam.
The fish species that you can catch in the Bow River are pike, burbot, mountain whitefish, and trout.
Bow River Map
Bow River Fishing Spots
There are a lot of great spots where you can fish Bow River around Calgary but here are the most popular areas.
- The area around the 22X bridge
- The area around the South Fish Creek Bridge
- Douglasbank Park
- Carburn park
- Pearce Estate Park
- Prince’s Island Park in Calgary Downtown
- Edworthy Park
- Bowness park
- Policeman’s Flats
- McKinnon Flats
- Beaver Dam Flats