Fishing Sylvan Lake for BIG Northern Pike

Sylvan lake is a good sized lake (42 sq.km) just west of Red Deer Alberta along Highway 11A. Being approximately halfway between Edmonton and Calgary it is popular with Anglers from both cities looking for good fishing near them. This lake holds a wide variety of game fish including northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, burbot and lake whitefish. Sylvan lake fishing is  popular for both ice fishing and the open water season. 

 

Lake Depth

The maximum  depth of Sylvan lake is 59 feet (18 meters) according to the bathymetric map (depth map). The deepest areas are just off of the point south east of half moon bay and mid point along the north shore. There is a gentle slope heading out from the south end of the lake.

 

Multiple Boat Launches for Easy Access

There are a number of boat launches spread out around the lake. The ones in town charge you a fee however there are free options.  Range Road 23 on the south shore. Half moon bay launch on range road 21, on the south shore closer towards town. And Sunbreaker cove at the north west end of the lake access down Marine Dr. Note that there is a TON of people trying to launch in the summer so it can get congested.

 

Walleye, Burbot, Lake Whitefish and Perch

There is a good variety of fish to catch in sylvan lake. The lake hosts tons of walleye probably the most commonly caught fish. Lake whitefish and burbot are also present. Yellow perch can be found at Sunbreaker cove, Norglenwold, palm bay fairly dispersed throughout the lake.

 

Trophy pike

Sylvan lake pike fishing can be very rewarding. The fish linked below was from last year.

Below is an article in sylvan lake news regarding fish management practices at the lake.

There is also a picture of a 31 lb 45 ½ inch northern pike from sylvan during the ice fishing season. The Alberta record northern pike is 38 lbs according to the Alberta guide to sport fishing regulations (page 96) Alberta angling records. Since dead bait (bait fish) are allowed here a solid tactic when ice fishing is to use a quick strike rig set with a large herring or sucker when looking for big pike.

 

Lodging, Fishing Tackle and Ice Fishing Huts

 

The town itself is situated right along the southern shore. With a population around 15,000 the town has many amenities. Besides an ample variety of restaurants and hotels there is a Canadian tire and the tackle shop just in case you run out of bait or forget a crucial piece of gear. The guys at The Tackle Shop in town were very helpful with selecting bait and lures while I was there. I also picked their brains about the best spots for specific species. You can check out the site here .

In addition to hotels there are also a good number of Air BnB rentals available to choose from. Boat rentals are also available if you are travelling from afar. For the winter season when ice fishing on sylvan lake there are several options for renting an ice hut. If you have your own ice fishing hut you can get more information on placing it here  . All huts must be removed by March. 31 .

Sylvan Lake Ice Fishing

Sylvan Lake has a multitude of great ice fishing spots. Probably one of the best ways to find a good ice fishing spot is to look for all the huts that dot the lake.  Chances are the locals know all the sweet spots to go ice fishing. 

Whitefish

Just out in front of the boat launch at Rural Route 23 is a great spot for ice fishing. There’s a good population of walleye here and of course pike. Additionally this seems to be a good spot for lake whitefish.  The whitefish seem to like small spoons or wireworms tipped with maggots.

Perch

Perch seem to be on the decline at Sylvan Lake. I heard you can find them on the north side and then down on the south between Norglenwold and Halfmoon bay. I would use the typical  tungsten jig head with minnow or jig flash wireworm with maggots. 

Big Pike

There are some very big pike in Sylvan Lake. During the ice fishing season it gives an opportunity for people without a boat to travel all over the lake and try multiple areas.  Favorite techniques for ice fishing pike are deadsticking or jigging. Most common is a jig head paired with a smelt or minnow. For the really big pike I prefer leaving a tip up with a quick strike rig and a large anchovy or herring on it, big bait big fish!

 

Fishing from Shore

A popular spot to fish from Shore is the pier by Marina Bay. There are plenty of Pike and walleye two catch just off the pier. There is only a few feet of water right at the edge of the pier. The lake has a very gradual drop off from here. 

Fishing Regulations and Fish Management

Bait is allowed at Sylvan Lake. The regulations published for the 2018-2019 fishing season state the catch limits for Sylvan Lake are as follows: 0 walleye, 0 Northern Pike, 5 Yellow Perch, 5 Lake Whitefish and 2 Burbot. the exception of zero limits from February 1st to March 31st during the burbot spawning season.

 

Fishing Regulations Update 2021-2022

There was a change to the retention limit in Sylvan Lake for walleye this year. The keep limit is now 1 with no slot size like many other lakes. This is probably to thin out the walleye which have been crowding out other species in recent years. Many lakes have a 50-55 CM slot size for walleye as this would result in mostly males being kept as the females grow considerably larger.

 

The presence of Trophy fish of the caliber mentioned above makes Sylvan lake an extremely attractive and accessible fishing location for anglers of southern and central Alberta.

Gear Suggestions