Jasper National Park · Guiding Since 1979

Guided Fly Fishing on Maligne Lake

Fish the second-largest glacial lake in the world — 47 years of guiding experience, UNESCO World Heritage waters, and some of the finest trout fishing in the Canadian Rockies.

Jasper National Park Private Trips Only May 16 – Sep 30 47 Years Experience
Book Full-Day — $395 Half-Day — $295 Spirit Island — $525

Choose Your Experience

Three Ways to Fish Maligne Lake

All trips are private — your group only. Minimum 2 guests, maximum 4. Gear, guide, and foul weather protection included. Just show up ready to fish.

Half-Day

$295 / person

A perfect introduction to Maligne Lake. Fish prime morning or afternoon windows with a licensed guide who knows every productive spot.

  • Rods, reels & flies provided
  • Foul weather gear
  • Licensed, experienced guide
  • Private trip — your group only
Book Half-Day
Most Popular

Full-Day

$395 / person

The full Maligne Lake experience — fish the best morning bite, explore further up the lake, and enjoy a classic shore lunch before the afternoon session.

  • Rods, reels & flies provided
  • Foul weather gear
  • Licensed, experienced guide
  • Private trip — your group only
  • Shore lunch included
Book Full-Day

Spirit Island Expedition

$525 / person

Fish your way to one of the most photographed spots on Earth. Spirit Island sits 14 km up the lake — reached by motorized boat — and offers a once-in-a-lifetime combination of angling and iconic scenery.

  • Rods, reels & flies provided
  • Foul weather gear
  • Licensed, experienced guide
  • Private trip — your group only
  • Spirit Island access
  • Shore lunch included
Book Spirit Island

About the Lake

The Second-Largest Glacial Lake in the World

Stretching 22 km into the heart of Jasper National Park, Maligne Lake is a place of extraordinary beauty and equally extraordinary fishing. Fed by glacier meltwater and alpine snowpack, its crystal-clear depths hold populations of Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout that have thrived here for generations.

Explorer Mary Schäffer first "discovered" Maligne Lake in 1908, guided by an Indigenous map drawn from memory. She paddled its full length on a hand-built raft and brought its existence to the wider world. Over a century later, the lake remains one of Canada's most awe-inspiring wilderness destinations — and home to some of its finest fly fishing.

Roughly two-thirds of the way up the lake, Spirit Island — a small spruce-covered islet surrounded by turquoise glacial water and framed by the peaks of the Queen Elizabeth Ranges — has become one of the most photographed landscapes in North America.

📏
Length
22 km (14 miles)
🌍
Distinction
2nd-largest glacial lake in the world
🏔
Location
Jasper National Park, Alberta
🏛
Designation
UNESCO World Heritage Site
📅
Fishing Season
May 16 – September 30
🎣
Guiding Since
1979 — 47 years experience

What's Biting

Fish Species on Maligne Lake

Maligne Lake holds two species that keep anglers coming back year after year. Our guides know the seasonal patterns, the hatch cycles, and the fly selections that produce results.

Rainbow Trout
Rainbow Trout
Brook Trout
Brook Trout

What You Need to Know

Gear, Preparation & Logistics

Rods and reels

What's Included

  • Rods, reels & fly selection
  • Foul weather jacket & pants
  • Licensed, experienced guide
  • Private trip — your group only
  • Shore lunch (Full-Day & Spirit Island)
Foul weather gear

What to Bring

  • Warm base layers
  • Waterproof jacket (backup)
  • Sunscreen
  • Polarized sunglasses
  • Closed-toe shoes (non-slip)
  • Water bottle & snacks (Half-Day)
Fishing licence

Fishing Licence

You need a Parks Canada National Park fishing licence — not an Alberta provincial licence. Purchase at:

Astoria Hotel
404 Connaught Drive, Jasper
Buy it before driving to the lake.

Children under 12: free. Under 16 with a licensed adult: no licence needed.

Season and booking

Season & Cancellation

Season: May 16 – September 30

Cancellation policy:

  • 5+ days before: full refund
  • Within 5 days: no refund
  • Weather cancellation: full refund or rebook

Meeting Your Guide

Check-In Instructions

Read these carefully before you leave Jasper. There is no cell service on Maligne Lake Road.

⚠️ No Cell Service on Maligne Lake Road

Save the Google Maps pin before you leave Jasper: Open map pin →

Allow 1 hour from the Jasper townsite — and give yourself a little extra. The drive along Maligne Lake Road is stunning, and you may want to stop for elk, bears, or bighorn sheep along the way.

  1. Buy your Parks Canada fishing licence at the Astoria Hotel (404 Connaught Drive, Jasper) before you head out.
  2. Load the Google Maps pin on your phone and save it offline: maps.app.goo.gl/JUsbnYAMDtnNB8bP7
  3. Allow 1 hour from the Jasper townsite — or a little more. The road to Maligne Lake is one of the most scenic in Jasper National Park, and wildlife sightings are common. Give yourself time to enjoy it.
  4. Drive to the END of the road. Do NOT stop at the Maligne Lake Restaurant/Lodge. Continue approximately 400 yards past the restaurant buildings.
  5. The boat launch is down the hill on the left. Your guide will be there to meet you.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a fishing licence?
Yes — you need a Parks Canada National Park fishing licence, not an Alberta provincial licence. Purchase it at the Astoria Hotel (404 Connaught Drive, Jasper) before driving to the lake. Children under 12 fish for free. Those under 16 do not need a licence when accompanied by a licensed adult.
Where exactly do I meet my guide?
Meet at the Maligne Lake public boat launch. Important: do NOT stop at the restaurant/lodge — continue approximately 400 yards to the very end of the road. The boat launch is down the hill on the left. There is no cell service on Maligne Lake Road, so load the Google Maps pin before leaving Jasper, and allow 1 hour of travel time.
What fish can I catch?
Maligne Lake holds Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout. Our guides know the seasonal patterns and will match their approach to what's active during your visit.
Do I need any fishing experience?
No experience required. Our guides have taught complete beginners to fly fish many times. If you're an experienced angler, we'll push the technique as far as you'd like to go. Just let us know your skill level when booking.
What's included in the trip?
All trips include rods, reels, fly selection, foul weather gear, and a licensed guide. Full-Day and Spirit Island Expedition trips also include a shore lunch. All trips are private — only your group.
What should I wear?
Mountain weather changes fast. Dress in layers — a warm base layer, mid layer, and bring a waterproof jacket as backup (we also provide foul weather gear). Closed-toe shoes with non-slip soles, polarized sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations made 5 or more days before your trip date receive a full refund. Cancellations within 5 days of the trip are non-refundable. If we cancel due to weather, you receive a full refund or the option to rebook at no extra charge.
When is the season?
The guided fishing season on Maligne Lake runs May 16 through September 30. Early season (May–June) often sees the best dry fly action. Mid-summer brings consistent fishing. September can be exceptional as fish feed heavily before winter.

Ready to Fish Maligne Lake?

Book your private guided trip today. All gear included. All experience levels welcome.

Half-Day — $295/person Full-Day — $395/person Spirit Island — $525/person

Questions? Call (780) 852-5650 or email CurriesGuiding@gmail.com