This little lake reservoir in Alberta is a world-class pike fishing destination

If you’re looking for a spot to go ice fishing this winter, there’s a large reservoir southeast of Calgary calling your name. It shares a title with the Bow River and is often referred to as the “little” version of this iconic Alberta watershed.

Locals call it “Little Bow,” and it’s a world-class fishing destination. You can fish year-round for walleye, pike and trout in the waters, including during winter. When the ice gets thick enough to walk on, you’ll find Alberta locals sitting with their poles hovering above the ice, waiting for a good catch.

The Travers Reservoir is full of big, healthy fish, and the word has gotten out beyond Alberta. People from countries around the world travel to fish the Little Bow and camp at the nearby Little Bow Provincial Park.

This reservoir has produced some whoppers, with some pike reaching over 30 inches in size!

Here’s what else you can expect when visiting this world-class fishing destination.

What to expect

Manmade reservoirs are commonly found throughout southern Alberta, a product of irrigation infrastructure and damming that is necessary to prevent flooding.

They make great spots for fishing because they grow exceptionally fertile, healthy and big fish. Travers Reservoir is known globally for its massive pike and walleye, but you can also find lake whitefish and yellow perch swimming through the waters.

The Travers Reservoir is located on the Little Bow River, a tributary of the Oldman River, in southern Alberta. It’s a popular destination for watersports and other recreational activities all year round, and there are many cottages situated along the west shore.

To get there, you’ll have to drive about 2 hours southeast of Calgary, towards Vulcan county. Or, you can opt to make it an easy road trip by staying overnight in the town of Vulcan, which is approximately 40 minutes away.

A home for hearty fish

Many anglers start out at the Little Bow Provincial campground, which is an easily accessible launching point on the west end of the lake. On the east end, the Southern Alberta Bible Camp offers activities all year long.

The Travers Reservoir is a favourite spot for locals and tourists that’s, “stocked with Walleye,” according to reviewers.

If you’re looking to visit this winter, the ice gets thick enough to allow for ice fishing. To do it, you’ll need to drill a hole through the ice, and it’s best to look up how to ice fish safely before you try. When you arrive at any lake, you should always test the thickness of the ice, and never walk on ice that is less than 10 cm thick.

Ice huts can make ice fishing during cold and windy days more enjoyable. There are rules and regulations for structures placed on the ice that protect both people and the local fish population.

There are also plenty of videos posted by fellow anglers that feature Travers Reservoir, and include details on what to expect while ice fishing.

If you’ve been looking for a satisfying outdoor activity this winter, ice fishing at Travers Reservoir might be just the thing.

Just be sure to brush up on your safety before you go, and bring along a big cooler for this reservoir’s giant fish!

Travers Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area

Where: Vulcan County, Alta.
How to get there: Drive an hour and 55 minutes south of Calgary via Highway 2, then turn east on Highway 529 towards Champion, Alta.

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