Sylvan Lake is an Angler's Delight
Drop a line and fish all year round for Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike and Lake Lake Whitefish in Sylvan Lake! It’s one of the best places to fish in Central Alberta.
From experienced to new anglers, Sylvan Lake has something for everyone with 42 square kilometres of open water. Whether you choose to fish from shore, on a boat, or with a fishing charter, the fish are biting.
Just make sure to follow local rules and regulations and make your next trip to Sylvan Lake, a fishing adventure! Check out Alberta Conservation for the annual Sportfishing Regulations.
“Sylvan Lake is one of the prettiest lakes in Central Alberta with really nice water. There are a lot of natural springs and it’s deeper than most lakes in the area,” said Jarod Littlejohn owner and guide with Adventure Ice Fishing.
Best time to fish
Knowing how to choose the best times to go fishing is one of the keys to angling success, like knowing how to choose fishing bait and tackle. According to the Alberta Conservation Association , many fish feed the hardest at dawn or dusk – a period often referred to as “bite time” by those in the know. Making the effort to time your session around these peak fishing periods is always worth it.
“I always think about morning bites and then suppertime bites from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. but if it’s a really calm day, the fish can bite throughout the day,” Littlejohn said.
Book a fishing charter
If you want everything taken care of, a fishing charter is a great choice for anglers of all levels. Several companies in Sylvan Lake offer chartered fishing tours for residents and visitors alike.
While anglers need to purchase a fishing license before the trip, everything else is taken care off from the gear to snacks and bait. Guides bring guests to their favourite honey holes and wait for the fish to bite.
“White fish are a real sport fish and they put up a good fight, which gives anglers a great experience. For beginner fishers or those looking for a more relaxing experience, we’ll look for Walleye and set up a vertical jig,” Littlejohn said.
A vertical jig involves letting the line go to the bottom of the lake while pulling on the line, mimicking little jigs of live bait. Whether you are looking for a 4-hour or a full day charter trip, the fish are plentiful.
Fishing from shore
A popular spot to fish from shore is odd the Sylvan Lake Pier on the main beachfront. The steep drop into the water is a perfect place for anglers to cast off at sunset.
Boat Launching
Sylvan Lake has one boat launch and it is full service! The Launch is a cement ramp launch with the Lake's only on-water boat fuel service, and retails café items, sundries, and watersports gear.
