An Open Dock
It’s not always easy to find a place to fish in Alberta. We want experiences at ACA fisheries access sites to be memorable, for all the right reasons.
We start with the credo that fishing is for everyone—anglers of all ages and all experience levels, “from the experienced ardent fly angler to the novice worm and bobber chucker,” says ACA Senior Biologist, Marco Fontana.
The more people go out and experience fishing, the more believers, and doers we have. When more people care about fishing, this favourite pastime stays on Alberta’s wish list—which means ACA can continue to put funds, partner work and elbow grease (installing docks is hard work!) into something that should be accessible to everybody.
The Fisheries Access Site (FAS) Management program provides angling opportunities in key streams, rivers, and lakes throughout the province. Our most current work involved inspecting and maintaining 24 fisheries access sites and commissioning 10 maintenance contracts. Upgrades include things like better site signage, boat launches, floating docks, casting platforms, landscaping, tree planting, walking trail improvements, installations of fishing line recycling containers, picnic tables and garbage/recycling containers.
Our newest fisheries access site is Boulder Lake and we’re working on establishing a site on the Bow River in partnership with the Bow River Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada. All of it takes a team—25 partnerships to be exact—many of which financially contribute.
FAS Management encourages safe, well-maintained, accessible sites. “Why do I care so much?” asks Fontana. “Because I love fishing, I love being outside, and I want other people to enjoy their time doing the same.”
See? Fishing really is as simple as they say.
Corporate Partners in Conservation
- County of Northern Lights
- Haul-All Equipment
- Lethbridge County
- MD of Greenview
- Saddle Hills County
- Shell Canada Energy
Project Sponsors
- Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society
- Alberta Fish & Game Association
- Alberta Transportation
- Alternate Land Use Services Canada
- Camrose County
- Clearwater County
- County of Greenview
- County of Newell
- County Northern Lights
- Cows and Fish
- Devon Canada Corporation
- Government of Alberta
- Lacombe County
- Lacombe Fish & Game Association
- Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District
- Municipal District of Rocky View
- North Raven River Working Group
- Stettler County
- Trout Unlimited Canada – Central Chapter
- Waldron Grazing Coo-op
- Wetaskiwin County