Rawson Lake

This stunning mountain lake provides fun fishing for Cutthroat Trout in Peter Lougheed Provincal Park. Rawson Lake has a self sustaining fish population that is protected by catch and release only regulations. The fish can get up to 3 to 4 pounds and have beautiful colours and markings which are great for some quick photos, and are reasonable to catch with any small presentation, which is a common trait of a Cutthroat Trout.

Being that Rawson Lake is only accessed by hiking in, there aren't any amenities, so you will have to pre-pare for being in the bush. The hike starts from the SE parking lot of Upper Kananaskis Lake, then it's about a 1km hike to the Rawson Lake Trail (Just after the waterfall/bridge), then it's a 2.7km hike up to the lake (1,000 foot elevation). You may have to take your time with some of the steep inclines, but the trail is safe, well established and sees a fair amount of hiking traffic. Once you get to the lake you'll notice the trees hugging the shoreline which limits the ability to fly fish easily, so if you plan on fly fishing bring a belly boat or some waders. You may also find out quickly that the water levels are low close to shore and have a fair bit of submerged trees and natural debris in the water, so using light tackle and watching your retrieval speeds will be important if you want to avoid getting snagged.

Rawson Lake is a great day hike/fishing adventure for anyone who enjoys being outside, but be smart, there are bears in the area, and weather can change pretty quickly, so travelling in groups, making noise and pre-paring for various weather conditions will guarantee your trip is safe and fun.

Quick Overview

• Fish Species: Cutthroat Trout
• Amenities: Hike in only access, limited shore accessibility
• Special Restrictions: No bait/scented attractants allowed, catch and release only, only open for select months of the year
• Distance from: Calgary 2hours | Edmonton 5.5hours | Red Deer 3.5hours (To Upper Kananaskis Lake parking lot)
• Nearest Town/City: Canmore (75km)
• Nearest Fishing Store: Wapiti Sports & Outfitters
• References: Rules & Regulations | Five day Weather Report | Location Map
• More Photos: Rawson Lake Cutthroat Trout