Welcome to the wonderful world of angling in Alberta! From the crystal clear lakes of the northern regions, past the mountainous streams and lakes of the central area and all the way to the breathtaking rivers and streams of the eastern prairies - wherever a line is cast, phenomenal fishing is sure to be found.

Alberta is home to nine major fishing regions, each boasting thousands of lakes, rivers and streams. The provinces game fish are classified into two groups: cold water sport fish and cool water sport fish. The two types of fish require different water temperatures depending on their feeding, resting and spawning needs. Choosing which fish to target can often be an easy choice - deciding on the body of water out of all available can often be the hard part. For the trout lover, how about trying your hand at the world famous Bow River? Anglers flock to this "rainbow-mecca" in order to sample the first-class fly-fishing it offers. (It has been rated one of North America's top ten trout streams for brown and rainbow trout!) The Oldman and Crowsnest are two other trout factories that can be found in the southwest corner of the province, promising rainbows, brown and bull trout for those lucky anglers willing to wade their banks. If you're in search of the exotic, how about casting a line for the golden trout? Alberta supports Canada's only population of this magnificently coloured fish, found throughout the high alpine lakes of the Canadian Rockies. (You may have to hike and climb to get to the golden, but catching and witnessing this "rare" specie is sure to bring thrills and smiles as a reward.)

Water in Alberta is found as readily as land, giving this province the perfect mix for fishing possibilities. If fishing tournaments are more your style, take a trip up to High Prairie - home of the Walleye Classic - and compete in North America's largest organized fishing tournament.

If you're in search of a trophy fish to call your own, Alberta certainly won't disappoint. For those lake trout enthusiasts, trying to break the current 52lb. 8oz. mark will see you trolling and casting to your hearts content. Maybe smashing the current northern pike record of 38lbs. is more up your alley? A lucky angler fishing in Pembina River during the year 2000 was fortunate enough to play tug-of-war with a monster walleye that beat the previous record - it ended up tipping the scales at a whopping 15lbs. 8ozs! Due to Alberta's dedication to conservation and the enhancement of the sportfishery, record fish like these are becoming more and more common. The promotion of catch and release and the use of barbless hooks have improved the provinces' fishing, resulting in a win-win situation for those anglers lucky enough to fish these waters. Discover the wondrous angling possibilities that Alberta holds, and be prepared to re-ignite your passion for fishing.