Alberta

Maligne Lake

Alberta·Jasper and the Foothills·52.68° N, 117.58° W

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About Maligne Lake

Maligne Lake fills a long valley in Jasper National Park, 46 km up the Maligne Road from Jasper. It is about 22 km long and up to 97 m (318 ft) deep at the south end, and it sits at about 1,670 m (5,480 ft), ringed by glaciers. Glacier melt keeps it cold all summer: Parks Canada puts the water at about 4 °C (39 °F) in its paddling guide. No trout are native here. Brook trout were packed in by the first outfitters, rainbows came later, and both now breed on their own. You fish for wild fish that grow in a cold, clear lake, and the rules let you keep 2 a day.

This is a boat lake. Gas motors are banned in Jasper, but electric motors are allowed here, and the launch sits at the north end past the chalet. Most fly anglers fish from a boat along the shore: drop-offs off the points, the coves and creek mouths, and the edges of Samson Narrows. Strip a leech or small streamer on a sinking line along a drop-off, or hang a nymph under an indicator where a creek comes in. On a calm evening, watch for rises in the coves and switch to a dry. Currie's Guiding, a Jasper outfitter guiding since 1979, rates late May and June as the best dry-fly weeks, July and August as steady, and September as a strong month, with fish feeding hard before winter.

Plan for the park, the wind and the distance. You need a national park fishing permit and a park pass, and an Alberta licence is not valid. One fly only on the line, no bait, no lead under 50 g, and no felt soles. The water within 100 m of the outlet is closed, down to 420 m below the outlet bridge. Wind comes up fast on a lake this long, and in 4 °C water a capsized canoe is an emergency, so watch the sky and stay near shore. There is no cell service on the Maligne Road. If you want the far end of the lake, Parks Canada runs three backcountry campgrounds with docks along the shore, at Hidden Cove (4 km), Fisherman's Bay (13 km) and Coronet Creek (21 km). Book them early, since they fill every summer.

Species

Rainbow Trout
Primary · Late May-Jun, Sep · Varies. The lake is known for big fish, but no size survey was found
Introduced, and now wild: the population breeds on its own. They cruise the drop-offs and coves and jump hard when hooked. You may keep 2 trout a day in total, but most anglers release them. Handle them quickly in the cold water.
Brook Trout
Common · Late May-Jun, Sep · Varies. No size survey was found
The first trout in the lake, brought in by the early outfitters, and now wild. Look for them along the shore, off creek mouths and in the shallower coves. They count toward the limit of 2 trout a day.

Species	Abundance	Best Season	Size
Rainbow Trout	Primary	Late May-Jun, Sep	Varies. The lake is known for big fish, but no size survey was found
Brook Trout	Common	Late May-Jun, Sep	Varies. No size survey was found

Areas

6 areas

North end

BoatBeginnerBrook Trout · Rainbow Trout

The first few kilometres south of the launch and the chalet, where the lake is narrowest and closest to the road. Rainbow trout and brook trout cruise the shoreline drop-offs. Stay out of the closed water within 100 m of the outlet, at the north tip.

Best for: Short trips from the launch, and evenings, for rainbow trout and brook trout along the drop-offs

Hidden Cove

BoatBeginnerBrook Trout · Rainbow Trout

A sheltered cove on the west shore, 4 km from the launch, with a small Parks Canada campground and dock. It is out of the worst of the wind, so it fishes when the open lake is rough. Look for rainbow trout and brook trout rising along the edges on calm evenings.

Best for: A calm spot on a windy day, and dry flies for rainbow trout and brook trout in the evening

Four Mile Creek

BoatIntermediateBrook Trout · Rainbow Trout

The east shore around the Four Mile Creek picnic site, about 5 km from the launch. A creek mouth like this one brings food into the lake, and rainbow trout and brook trout come to feed off it.

Best for: A nymph or a small streamer worked off the creek mouth for rainbow trout and brook trout

Samson Narrows

BoatIntermediateBrook Trout · Rainbow Trout

Where the lake pinches in, a little over halfway down, by the Samson picnic site on the east shore. The narrow water brings both shores within a short cast of the boat, and rainbow trout and brook trout follow the edges. It is also the route of every tour boat to Spirit Island, so fish it early or late.

Best for: Leeches and streamers on a sinking line along the steep edges, for rainbow trout

Fisherman's Bay

BoatIntermediateBrook Trout · Rainbow Trout

A small cove on the east shore, 13 km from the launch, with an 8-site Parks Canada campground that the park calls a good base for fishing. Spirit Island is 2 km farther on. Fish the cove and the shore on either side for rainbow trout and brook trout, early and late, when the tour boats are not running.

Best for: Overnight trips, and the morning and evening bite for rainbow trout and brook trout

Coronet Creek

BoatAdvancedBrook Trout · Rainbow Trout

The far south end, 21 km from the launch, below the Coronet Glacier. The deepest water in the lake is at this end. Parks Canada's campground at the creek mouth is the usual base, and the park describes the fishing there as great. It is the quietest part of the lake, for rainbow trout and brook trout.

Best for: Multi-day trips to quiet water for rainbow trout and brook trout

Access

Maligne Lake boat launchBoat ramp
The public launch, in the parking lot on the west side of the outlet bridge, at the end of the Maligne Road. Firewood for the backcountry campgrounds is stacked here. Electric motors only.
Maligne Lake Boat HouseMarina
The historic boat house by the chalet, on the east side of the outlet. Boat rentals. Tour boats to Spirit Island leave from the docks here.
Hidden Cove campgroundCampground
Parks Canada backcountry campground, 4 sites, 4 km from the launch on the west shore. Dock, food lockers and a shelter with a wood stove. Book ahead. 2 nights at most.
Fisherman's Bay campgroundCampground
Parks Canada backcountry campground, 8 sites, 13 km from the launch on the east shore. Dock and food lockers. Book ahead. 2 nights at most.
Coronet Creek campgroundCampground
Parks Canada backcountry campground, 8 sites, 21 km from the launch at the south end. Dock and food lockers. An unmaintained route follows the creek 8 km to the Coronet Glacier. Book ahead. 2 nights at most.

At a glance

Ideal water temp: 7–16°C

Best seasons

The season runs from May 16 to September 30. Late May and June bring the best dry-fly fishing. July and August fish steadily, and early mornings and evenings are calmer on the water. September is a strong month, when fish feed hard before winter and the crowds thin out. The lake stays cold all summer, so heat is rarely the limit here, and wind more often is. Surface water from about 7 to 15 °C (45 to 60 °F) suits the trout. The lake freezes in winter, and it is closed to fishing from October 1 to May 15.

Regulations

Maligne Lake is in Jasper National Park, so national park rules apply and an Alberta licence is not valid. The lake is open May 16 to September 30. You may keep 2 trout a day. The outlet area is closed.

You need a national park fishing permit and a valid park pass. A provincial fishing licence is not valid in the park. Anyone under 16 may fish without a permit with a permit holder 16 or older, but their catch counts in the holder's limit.
Season: May 16 to September 30.
Closed water: the outlet, from a 100 m radius around the point where the Maligne River leaves the lake down to 420 m below the Maligne Lake Outlet bridge.
Limit: 2 a day of rainbow, brook, lake or cutthroat trout, pike, lake whitefish and mountain whitefish, with no more than 2 fish in total. Every other species: 0.
No natural bait or chemical attractants, no lead tackle under 50 g, and no lures with more than 2 treble hooks, within 100 m of park waters.
One line at a time, and no more than one artificial fly on a line.
No fishing from 2 hours after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.
Felt-soled wading boots are banned everywhere in Jasper National Park. Waders and wading boots are allowed only in waters in the Water Recreation Zone.
Boats: electric motors are allowed on Maligne Lake. Gas motors are never allowed in Jasper National Park.

Clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before you come: dry it for at least 48 hours, or 30 days if you last used it outside Alberta, British Columbia or the territories. Parks Canada recommends single barbless hooks to make release easier, but does not require them. Burn fish waste hot in the campground fire rings, as the park asks.

Source: Parks Canada, Jasper National Park fishing regulations, April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. Regulations change annually. Verify before fishing.

Getting there

Jasper, AB

About 1 hr from Jasper by Highway 16 and 46 km of paved Maligne Road. About 4 hr 45 min from Edmonton and 5 hr 30 min from Calgary. Jasper has the nearest services.

Camping: There is no drive-in campground at the lake. Parks Canada runs three backcountry campgrounds on the shore, each with a dock and food lockers: Hidden Cove (4 sites, 4 km from the launch, with a shelter), Fisherman's Bay (8 sites, 13 km) and Coronet Creek (8 sites, 21 km, at the south end). Book them ahead. Each allows 2 nights at most. Jasper has the nearest hotels and drive-in campgrounds.

Drive to the end of the Maligne Road. The public boat launch is past the chalet and across the outlet bridge, on the west side. The Maligne Lake Boat House rents boats, and tour boats run to Spirit Island all day, so give them room. There is no cell service on the Maligne Road, so load maps before you leave Jasper. Wind can rise fast, and the water is cold enough to kill, so wear a life jacket and stay near shore. Bears, moose and caribou live in this valley.

Maligne Lake

Alberta·Jasper and the Foothills·52.68° N, 117.58° W

Log an outing

Fishing: Fair
Wind: 9km/h SSW; Calm
Water temp: About2°C; Estimated surface
Level: —

Solunar · next 7 days

See the full conditions on Maligne Lake

Flow and temperature charts for every station, the weather, and the days ahead. Free, with an email.

A free account also gets you

5-day Fish Index forecastSee how each of the next 5 days rates on every river and lake, from the flow or wind, water temperature, weather and moon forecasts.
A dashboard for your watersSave your rivers and lakes and compare them on one board, with the last week and the days ahead.
A logbook that fills in the conditionsLog outings and trips with photos, even with no signal in the app. Troutline adds the flow, water temperature and weather for each day.
Your angler profileSee other anglers' public outings, and share yours.

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About Maligne Lake

Species

Rainbow Trout
Primary · Late May-Jun, Sep · Varies. The lake is known for big fish, but no size survey was found
Introduced, and now wild: the population breeds on its own. They cruise the drop-offs and coves and jump hard when hooked. You may keep 2 trout a day in total, but most anglers release them. Handle them quickly in the cold water.
Brook Trout
Common · Late May-Jun, Sep · Varies. No size survey was found
The first trout in the lake, brought in by the early outfitters, and now wild. Look for them along the shore, off creek mouths and in the shallower coves. They count toward the limit of 2 trout a day.

Species	Abundance	Best Season	Size
Rainbow Trout	Primary	Late May-Jun, Sep	Varies. The lake is known for big fish, but no size survey was found
Brook Trout	Common	Late May-Jun, Sep	Varies. No size survey was found

Areas

6 areas

North end

BoatBeginnerBrook Trout · Rainbow Trout

Best for: Short trips from the launch, and evenings, for rainbow trout and brook trout along the drop-offs

Hidden Cove

BoatBeginnerBrook Trout · Rainbow Trout

Best for: A calm spot on a windy day, and dry flies for rainbow trout and brook trout in the evening

Four Mile Creek

BoatIntermediateBrook Trout · Rainbow Trout

The east shore around the Four Mile Creek picnic site, about 5 km from the launch. A creek mouth like this one brings food into the lake, and rainbow trout and brook trout come to feed off it.

Best for: A nymph or a small streamer worked off the creek mouth for rainbow trout and brook trout

Samson Narrows

BoatIntermediateBrook Trout · Rainbow Trout

Best for: Leeches and streamers on a sinking line along the steep edges, for rainbow trout

Fisherman's Bay

BoatIntermediateBrook Trout · Rainbow Trout

Best for: Overnight trips, and the morning and evening bite for rainbow trout and brook trout

Coronet Creek

BoatAdvancedBrook Trout · Rainbow Trout

Best for: Multi-day trips to quiet water for rainbow trout and brook trout

Access

Maligne Lake boat launchBoat ramp
The public launch, in the parking lot on the west side of the outlet bridge, at the end of the Maligne Road. Firewood for the backcountry campgrounds is stacked here. Electric motors only.
Maligne Lake Boat HouseMarina
The historic boat house by the chalet, on the east side of the outlet. Boat rentals. Tour boats to Spirit Island leave from the docks here.
Hidden Cove campgroundCampground
Parks Canada backcountry campground, 4 sites, 4 km from the launch on the west shore. Dock, food lockers and a shelter with a wood stove. Book ahead. 2 nights at most.
Fisherman's Bay campgroundCampground
Parks Canada backcountry campground, 8 sites, 13 km from the launch on the east shore. Dock and food lockers. Book ahead. 2 nights at most.
Coronet Creek campgroundCampground
Parks Canada backcountry campground, 8 sites, 21 km from the launch at the south end. Dock and food lockers. An unmaintained route follows the creek 8 km to the Coronet Glacier. Book ahead. 2 nights at most.

At a glance

Ideal water temp: 7–16°C

Best seasons

Regulations

You need a national park fishing permit and a valid park pass. A provincial fishing licence is not valid in the park. Anyone under 16 may fish without a permit with a permit holder 16 or older, but their catch counts in the holder's limit.
Season: May 16 to September 30.
Closed water: the outlet, from a 100 m radius around the point where the Maligne River leaves the lake down to 420 m below the Maligne Lake Outlet bridge.
Limit: 2 a day of rainbow, brook, lake or cutthroat trout, pike, lake whitefish and mountain whitefish, with no more than 2 fish in total. Every other species: 0.
No natural bait or chemical attractants, no lead tackle under 50 g, and no lures with more than 2 treble hooks, within 100 m of park waters.
One line at a time, and no more than one artificial fly on a line.
No fishing from 2 hours after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.
Felt-soled wading boots are banned everywhere in Jasper National Park. Waders and wading boots are allowed only in waters in the Water Recreation Zone.
Boats: electric motors are allowed on Maligne Lake. Gas motors are never allowed in Jasper National Park.

Source: Parks Canada, Jasper National Park fishing regulations, April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. Regulations change annually. Verify before fishing.

Getting there

Jasper, AB

About 1 hr from Jasper by Highway 16 and 46 km of paved Maligne Road. About 4 hr 45 min from Edmonton and 5 hr 30 min from Calgary. Jasper has the nearest services.

Maligne Lake

See the full conditions on Maligne Lake

About Maligne Lake

Species

Areas

North end

Hidden Cove

Four Mile Creek

Samson Narrows

Fisherman's Bay

Coronet Creek

Access

Fishing reports

Read the fishing reports for Maligne Lake

More in Alberta

Other regions

Lake Minnewanka

Upper Kananaskis Lake

Maligne Lake

See the full conditions on Maligne Lake

About Maligne Lake

Species

Areas

North end

Hidden Cove

Four Mile Creek

Samson Narrows

Fisherman's Bay

Coronet Creek

Access

Fishing reports

Read the fishing reports for Maligne Lake

More in Alberta

Other regions

Lake Minnewanka

Upper Kananaskis Lake

Fishing conditions

Fishing conditions