Crestomere Lake in Ponoka County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Crestomere Lake sits within Ponoka County in Alberta. The ground round it is pine and birch. At about 96 hectares, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The bank runs about 3.8 km all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. For supplies, Rimbey is 22 km out. Ponoka is 23 km and Bentley 25 km. Others close at hand: Gull Lake about 16 km, Grim Lake 19 km away, Barnett Lake about 24 km, Lacombe Lake 29 km away and Blackfalds Lake about 35 km. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Crestomere Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Ponoka County records list northern pike, yellow perch and lake trout among the fish reported. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. The shape of Crestomere Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 15°C and January at -13°C. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Break-up comes around late April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Open water usually runs from late April until about mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. It holds true on Crestomere Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. No dam controls it, and the level follows the season. It is recorded as intermittent, which means the basin empties in dry spells. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Gull Lake sits 16 km off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Crestomere Lake before loading the car.