COCHRANE - The Government of Alberta has introduced new Time of Day angling restrictions for all rivers and streams, including the Bow River, downstream of Banff National Park to Bassano Dam. This includes Ghost Reservoir, Glenmore Reservoir, Bearspaw Reservoir and Bassano Reservoir.
Starting July 26, all anglers will not be allowed to fish between the hours of 2 p.m. and 12 a.m. According to a release from the provincial government, Time of Day angling restrictions are implemented to protect fish during periods of low flows and high temperatures such as local areas have been experiencing in the past week.
The thresholds that have been set to protect fish are: when average daily water temperatures exceed 20°C for three or more consecutive days and, when flows in the Bow River are below the 25th percentile for four or more days at that time of year.
At the time of the release, the Government of Alberta's Environment and Protected Areas (EPA) stated the Time of Day angling restrictions will be in place for a minimum of two weeks.
“During this period, EPA will continue to monitor water temperatures, flows, and long term weather forecasts,” the statement from the province read. “Based on this monitoring, EPA will determine whether time of day angling restrictions will continue for an additional 14 day period or be lifted. On day 28, a decision to continue or reinstate time of day restrictions will be made which will remain in place until Sept. 1.”
With fish being stressed due to high temperatures and low water flows, the province said the intent of the restrictions is to reduce fish mortality rates in local waterbodies.
