Drawing of a Game Fish head on

Game Fish

Last Update/Review: August 6, 2002

Diverse Lifestyles and Habits

Biologists classify Alberta's game fish into two distinct groups: Cold-water Sport Fishes and Cool-water Sport Fishes. This distinction may seem subtle, but it is surprisingly important. Water temperature is a crucial factor in a fish's environment, and each species seeks differing temperatures depending on its feeding, resting and spawning requirements.

Cold-water Sport Fishes

The cold-water fishes of Alberta prefer a water temperature between 5 and 18 degrees Celsius (40-60 degrees Fahrenheit). Although some of these species will tolerate temperatures of 22 degrees C (72 degrees F) or higher, their reproduction may be reduced or absent at these higher temperatures. Many species will die at temperatures above 24 degrees C.

Drawing of a side view of a trout

All of Alberta's cold-water sport fishes belong to the trout and salmon family (Salmonidae). Members of this family include the whitefish, Arctic grayling, trout and char. Nine species occur in Alberta. All members of the family have an adipose fin near the tail (see arrow in illustration) and the general body shape shown in the illustration.

The cold-water sport fishes of Alberta include:

Brown Trout Rainbow Trout
Cutthroat Trout Brook Trout
Lake Trout Bull Trout
Golden Trout Mountain Whitefish
Lake Whitefish Arctic Grayling

To learn how to identify the various cold water sport fish (family Salmonidae), and take a fun and interesting quiz, go to the Fish Identification Site.

An image that reads Keep Fish in our Future

Cool-Water Sport Fishes

The cool-water sport fishes of Alberta are fishes that grow and develop best in a water temperature between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius (50-82 degrees Fahrenheit). A few species can tolerate temperatures of 34 degrees C (93 degrees F). Others avoid temperatures above 20 degrees C. Spawning (egg laying) occurs at water temperatures between 3 and 16 degrees C. Within this range, some fish spawn in cooler water, and some in warmer water.

The cool-water sport fishes of Alberta include:

Walleye Sauger
Yellow Perch Northern Pike
Goldeye Burbot
Lake Sturgeon