Fishing

Cast your line in the main pond in Hermitage Park or the North Saskatchewan River.

Fishing on shore or in a boat is a fun way to enjoy the outdoors.

Warning

The North Saskatchewan River can be unpredictable, with fast moving water, strong surface and underwater currents, hidden hazards such as underwater debris, floating trees and wood, a muddy bottom and a shoreline and uneven surfaces. This presents a greater risk of injuries, accidents and even drowning if appropriate safety measures are not taken.

Please check water levels, water quality notices and advisories from the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Police Services (EPS), Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS), Alberta Health Services and Alberta Environment and Parks or visit North Saskatchewan regional planning for more information.

Hermitage Park Stocked Pond

This pond is free for public use:

All Sport Fishing Regulations apply

An Alberta Sport Fishing Licence is required if you are 16 to 65 years of age

For all anglers, limit is 5 rainbow trout

Non-motorized boats allowed

Family fishing only - all children under 16 years of age to be with supervised adult

The Hermitage Pond is stocked annually with two types of trout: Rainbow and Brown Trout. Search stocked lakes for more information.

North Saskatchewan River

Caution

Health Canada sets fish consumption guidelines based on:

The concentration of mercury in fish tissue

The human body's ability to eliminate mercury at a slow rate

You should not eat fish from the North Saskatchewan River more than once a week, and do not eat the liver or other organs. Pregnant women, women of child-bearing age, and children under the age of 15 should not consume the fish at all.

The mercury in many areas of the province, including the North Saskatchewan River, is likely from natural sources (Alberta Guide to Sportfishing Regulations).

Fish Species

Fish for these species in the North Saskatchewan River (within city limits).

Burbot

Burbot Fish Photo

Burbot is easily identified by its dark body and white belly. Its most notable feature is the single barbel or whisker hanging from the lower jaw. The Alberta angling record for the species is 5.9 kg. Burbot reach a maximum weight of 8.5 kg. The longest known specimen is 100 cm.

Goldeye

Goldeye Fish Photo

Both goldeye and mooneye are deep, laterally compressed fish with silvery scales. The goldeye has a bright, yellow or golden eye. In contrast, only the upper half of the mooneye's iris is yellow. The Alberta angling records for goldeye and mooneye are 1.9 kg and 0.5 kg respectively. Length data for goldeye isn't reliable but 50 cm goldeye have been caught in Alberta. The maximum fork length for Alberta mooneye is 35.25 cm.

Lake Sturgeon

Lake Sturgeon Fish Photo

Lake sturgeon are the largest and longest living fish in the river. There is no mistaking the sturgeon with its long whiskers (barbels) and the five rows of bony plates, called scutes, along its body. The plates are sharp on young fish, but smooth out with age. The Alberta angling record is 47.7 kg and the maximum fork length is 170 cm.

Mountain Whitefish

Mountain Whitefish Photo

Mountain whitefish often move in groups (schools) from one pool to another. Occasionally, you can see them just downstream from the north end of the Quesnell Bridge. The Alberta angling record is 2.57 kg, with a length of 58.5 cm.

Northern Pike

Northern Pike Fish Photo

Pike is a predatory fish at the top of the food chain. Its habitat is calm, deep water in ponds and creek mouths. Spawning occurs in the spring on flooded vegetation. The current Alberta angling record is 17.2 kg and the maximum weight is 19.5 kg.

Sauger

Sauger Fish Photo

Sauger and walleye are very similar in appearance, but sauger has characteristic black spots on its spiny dorsal fin. The Alberta angling record is 2.8 kg and the maximum length is 59.6 cm.

Sucker

Sucker Fish Photo

Five species of sucker can be caught in the river: silver redhorse, shorthead redhorse, quillback, white and longnose sucker. The mountain sucker is also occasionally caught in the Edmonton area. All are easily identified as suckers by their thick downward pointing lips which they use to suck food from the river bottom. Suckers weighing up to 3.66 kg have been caught in the North Saskatchewan River.

Walleye

Walleye Fish Photo

Walleye is the largest member of the perch family. Walleye get their name from the glossy appearance of their large eyes. Walleye can be distinguished from the sauger by the white spots on the its tail. The Alberta angling record is 6.7 kg with a length of 73.7 cm.

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Warning

Family Fishing Weekends

Hermitage Park Stocked Pond

North Saskatchewan River

Caution

Fish Species

Contact Us

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Fishing

Warning

Hermitage Park Stocked Pond

North Saskatchewan River

Caution

Fish Species

Resources

Alberta Conservation Association

Boating and Canoeing

My Wild Alberta

Edmonton Trout Fishing Club

Contact Us

311 Contact Centre