Fishing at Coral Lake, Clearwater County, Alberta

• Overview

  Set in Clearwater County, Coral Lake is an Alberta water. Elevation runs to 2,334 metres. At 3 hectares it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Our Clearwater County list holds plenty of bigger water. Nearest town is Lake Louise, 104 km off. Beyond it, Jasper Park Lodge at 109 km and Jasper at 110 km. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Coral Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Clearwater County records list bull trout, mountain whitefish and brook trout among the fish reported. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. The near bank of Coral Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August to average close to 8°C, with January the cold end at about -14°C. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Break-up comes around early June, and the run that follows is short and strong. Ice usually gives way near early June, and forms again about mid October. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. On Coral Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Job Lake, 10 km away, makes the obvious fallback. Rules at Coral Lake are worth checking on the day.