Bow River

The Bow River is a major southern Alberta river that flows from Banff National Park through Canmore and Calgary eastward to the South Saskatchewan; this entry covers reaches from Banff NP downstream to the South Saskatchewan River, including the Bassano Reservoir. Nearest major city: Calgary. Regulations: Banff NP downstream to Bassano Dam (open all year) has a bait ban and prohibition/zero retention for several species (total trout 0; northern pike 0; mountain whitefish 0; burbot 0; goldeye 0; walleye/sauger 0). Bassano Dam downstream to the South Saskatchewan River (open May 8 to Mar 15) allows bait (reg text: "Bait except bait fish allowed") with species limits: total trout 2; northern pike 3 (over 63 cm); mountain whitefish 5 (over 30 cm); burbot 10; goldeye 10; walleye/sauger 3 in combination (walleye noted as over 50 cm).