Fishing Glenmore Reservoir
The Glenmore Reservoir is open for fishing each year from springtime until Halloween, and it’s one of my favourite places to go fishing around Calgary. I love fishing the Glenmore reservoir for several reasons. It’s really easy to get to, it has both Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Northern Pike, plus you can rent a canoe right at the reservoir to fish from! it’s just a pleasure to be around. It’s clean, beautiful and also open for more than just fishing (there’s all sorts of kayaking and boat races etc).
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- OPENED May 1st to October 31st
- CLOSED November 1st to April 30th
Fishing Regulations For The Glenmore Reservoir
Make sure to check the official fishing regulations every time you go fishing, in case they’ve changed. Don’t assume! The zone is ES1.
Trout: 5
You can keep up to 5 trout per day (Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout), other than Bull Trout which are catch and release only. I’ve personally only seen Browns and Rainbows in the Glenmore Reservoir.
Mountain Whitefish: 5
All under 30cm must be released. I’ve personally never seen a Whitefish come out of the Glenmore Reservoir.
Northern Pike: 3
No size restrictions on Pike! Lots of them in there.
Yellow Perch: 15
Another fish I’ve never personally seen. You ever catch Yellow Perch at the Glenmore Reservoir? Comment below!
My First Catch At The Glenmore Reservoir
Not the biggest Pike ever caught, but it was my first and I was very excited to get it home to clean and cook. Caught him using a leech grub. Unfortunately I was pretty inexperienced at cleaning fish.. so it didn’t turn out so great. Pike are not so easy to clean, at least in my opinion.
Good Spots To Fish?
To be honest I have not found any fishing hot spots on the Glenmore Reservoir. Fishing is always better in a boat, but from shore, anyplace you can access should be fine. I’ve caught Pike from all sides (mostly using spoons), and trout on the south shore (five of diamonds). I’ve had the same luck no matter where I’m casting from, it feels like.
Perhaps someone can suggest somewhere specific in the comments?
Rent A Canoe From The Calgary Canoe Club
The Calgary Canoe Club has a membership plan that includes unlimited use of their canoes and kayaks! Non-members can rent the canoes too.
- http://calgarycanoeclub.com/rentals
- $35 for the day
- $25 for a half day (after 3 p.m. or under 3 hours)
- $15.00 for one hour
The Calgary Canoe Club (CCC) is situated in the heart of Calgary on the Glenmore Reservoir and located in the North Glenmore Park. This location offers 14km of shoreline to paddle, sweeping views of the Foothills and Rocky Mountains, and a nature reserve at our doorstep (Weaselhead Flats). This is the perfect setting for offering paddling programs for all ages and all levels.
The CCC was established in 1959 and is a non-profit organization that provides training and promotes excellence in competitive paddling disciplines (sprint canoe/kayak and outrigger), and provides the opportunity to all members of the community to experience lifelong learning skills through paddling.
Getting To The Glenmore Reservoir
You can get to the Glenmore Reservoir on Calgary Transit by taking the c-train to Heritage station, taking route 502 to Heritage Park, then just walk down to the reservoir. Alternatively you can take route 20 from Heritage c-train station up to the Rockyview General Hospital and just walk down the pathways to the water. Easy peasy! If you drive, well you know how to drive there so just do that.
Conclusion
Fishing is one of my favourite things to do. It’s really nice having access to the Glenmore Reservoir via public transit too. I hope you have decent luck out there!
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i haven’t got shit yet with the boys someone help out?
Been fishing Glenmore since ’80, with the kids and friends. It’s fun and meet plenty of interesting people with stories/experiences. Not hard to get a 5 lb + brown by the big H soon as Glenmore’s season opens, real early in morn.
For the record, perch generally like weeds to hide among, and the best place is usually at the far west end. Unfortunately that’s also where the suckers and bugs are. Corn is great for them, same with maggots; but my fav. has always been bits of worm. Putting too much on is a waste, as them beggers get smart and just pick away at the loose parts, so just little pieces, with small hook, and hey; you’re allowed 3 hooks on 1 line. The other reason is the smell of cut pieces attracts more than a full worm. Jigging is the best way, within a foot or so off the bottom, and keep the point buried in the worm piece. Lastly, not my best choice for table food. Branches of upper Elbow river is infected with Whirling, but also gets good share of road runoff and other farm crap.
I fished in the reservoir all the time through the 80’s. Used to catch pike and perch regularly especially off the point right in front of the dam.
Pike with spoons casting out in front of the dam and perch on a worm and bobber off the other side of the point.
Are you still allowed to fish off that point – I want to go back with my son.
I seem to catch only pike I’ve been hoping for a trout but never seems to happen got a really the biggest pike of my life today from the canoe near the canoe club. Definitely going to try again from the boat. I’ve gone fishing from the shore probably 10 times and I’ve caught one fish probably more than half of those times so that’s decent for me.
Caught 7″ yellow perch 6 years ago in there. Been going back ever since to try to catch the big monster pike under Callaway park boat dock.
Been fishing at glenmore for 30 years, never caught a perch or have heard of anyone catching one. trout, pike, burbot, occasional sucker all i get or see.
What kind of bait are we using out there
I want to rent a canoe and take my 5 year old boy any suggestions?
I’d suggest using smelts, worms, leeches or meal worms. Bait is allowed, but no bait fish (so no minnows). You could also try small hooks with corn or pieces of hard brick cheese on them, drop from the canoe and bob up and down near the bottom. You could also try pulling a lure behind the canoe as you paddle (if your kiddo is able to hold the rod). Make sure to wear life jackets, bring something to sit on, wear sun screen, have fun ^_^
Tons of Perch at the damn 25 years ago.
Yet I caught a baby perch last week on july20th on the southside by Heritage Park.
Rare I think now these days.