Millions of trout piped into Alberta ponds and lakes for fishing season

As fishing season approaches, ponds in Edmonton and surrounding areas are being stocked with trout.

It’s trout time in Alberta.

Annual cultured trout restocking has begun in approximately 240 provincial bodies of water.

Kristy Wakeling, with Alberta Forestry and Parks, said about 2 million trout are released every year for recreational fishing.

“These ponds provide an amazing recreational opportunity,” Wakeling said.

“In Alberta, we try to focus our efforts on making sure that we have opportunities for all anglers, so everybody from a small child or a family all the way up to individual anglers.”

“In some cases,” she added, “we’re flying fish into remote locations for unique angling opportunities.”

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My Wild Alberta says fish in Alberta face higher angling pressure compared to other North American jurisdictions. This, in addition to other factors like shorter growing seasons for fish, make native species vulnerable to overfishing.

She said the stocking program helps take pressure off native species of fish and provides close-to-home opportunities for fishing fans around the province.

“Especially in urban areas where fishing opportunities can be a little harder to come by close to home,” she said.

Lakes and ponds are stocked in the spring and throughout the summer with four species of trout: rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout and tiger trout.

Wakeling said some will also be stocked again in the fall. More information can be found on the My Wild Alberta website.

The stocking program is estimated to bring about $100 million in provincial revenue each year through anglers, according to My Wild Alberta.

The province also stocks some water bodies with walleye.