Alfred Lake near Lake Louise: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Alfred Lake lies within the bounds of Improvement District No. 9, Alberta. It sits in pine and birch country. Surface area runs to about 6 hectares — small enough to read in one session. For a base, Lake Louise sits 18 km out. The big place round here is Calgary, 137 km distant. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Alfred Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Records held for Improvement District No. 9 cover brook trout, bull trout, cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish and rainbow trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Alfred Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 8°C at the top of summer and -14°C at the bottom of winter. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Once it clears, about early June, the fishing comes on quickly. Ice clears near early June and comes back about mid October in a typical year. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Alfred Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. The nearest alternative is Donald Lake, 1.1 km out. Ask locally about Alfred Lake if anything is unclear.