What is the Upper Bow River?
The upper Bow starts at Bow Lake and the Wapta Icefields in Banff National Park. Runs through Canmore. Then down toward Calgary. Cold, clear, wild freestone water.
Unlike the lower Bow (which gets nutrient-rich water from Calgary), the upper is pure mountain runoff. Flows change with seasons and weather. Fish run smaller but more varied. And the scenery? World-class doesnt even cover it.
The upper Bow near Canmore. This is what mountain fishing looks like.
This is adventure fishing. Elk crossing below your boat. Bears on the banks. Osprey fishing the same water youre casting to. Are the fish as big as the lower river? No. But the experience? Completely different. In the best possible way.
Fish Species & Sizes
More species variety up here than the Calgary tailwater. Mostly wild brown trout plus mountain whitefish, with the occasional cutthroat, brook, or bull trout. Yeah, theyre smaller. But the mix and the setting make up for it.
| Species | Average Size | Trophy Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Trout | 10-14" | 20" | The main target up here |
| Mountain Whitefish | 12-16" | 18"+ | Common native, fun on light tackle |
| Cutthroat Trout | 10-14" | 16"+ | Native, caught occasionally |
| Brook Trout | 8-12" | 14"+ | Occasional, mostly in tributaries |
| Bull Trout | 16-22" | 26"+ | Protected — zero retention, release in the water |
Bull Trout Notice
Bull trout are a species of special concern. All bull trout must be released immediately. Single barbless hooks only when targeting bull trout.
Upper vs Lower Bow River
The Bow is really two different fisheries. Completely different character. Heres the honest comparison:
| Factor | Upper Bow | Lower Bow |
|---|---|---|
| Average Fish Size | 10-14" | 16-22" |
| Fish Density | Moderate | Very high (2,500/mile) |
| Scenery | Mountain peaks, wildlife | Prairie river, city views |
| Crowds | Less boat traffic | More popular |
| Best For | Scenery, adventure | Trophy fish |
| Drive from Calgary | 1-1.5 hours | 15-30 min |
| Water Character | Mountain freestone | Nutrient-rich tailwater |
| Species Variety | More varied (browns, whitefish, cutthroat) | Browns & rainbows |
Real talk. If trophy size is your only goal? Lower Bow. No question. But if you want mountain fishing with stunning scenery, wildlife everywhere, and fewer boats on the water? The upper Bow delivers something the lower river simply cant.
My Recommendation
First trip to the Bow? Start with the lower river—its what made this fishery famous. Coming back for a second trip or want something different? The upper Bow is a completely different experience thats absolutely worth having.
Best Upper Bow Sections
Canmore
Just outside Banff National ParkThe heart of the upper-Bow trips we arrange. Cold, glacier-fed freestone water with wild browns and mountain whitefish, wrapped in Three Sisters scenery. Sits outside the park boundary, so a regular Alberta licence covers you — no park permit.
Bow Valley Provincial Park
Bow–Kananaskis confluence, ~5 km east of CanmoreProvincial land with good river access where the Kananaskis meets the Bow. Same Eastern Slopes rules as the Canmore water — bait ban and catch-and-release trout.
Ghost Dam Area
Cochrane to CalgaryThe transition between the mountain upper Bow and the Calgary tailwater. Less pressure than either, and the fish start getting bigger as you move downstream.
When to Fish the Upper Bow
Spring (April-May)
Summer (June-August)
Fall (September-October)
Why Choose the Upper Bow?
Escape the Crowds
The lower Bow gets boat traffic. The upper Bow doesnt. If a relaxed pace matters more than fish size, head upstream.
Mountain Experience
Fish with 10,000-foot peaks in the background. Spot wildlife. Feel like youre actually in the wilderness, not just outside a city.
Species Variety
Wild browns and mountain whitefish, with the odd cutthroat, brook, or bull trout. A more varied mix than the tailwater, which is mostly browns and rainbows.
Summer Escape
When Calgary hits 30°C, the upper Bow is 10 degrees cooler. More comfortable fishing, and fish stay active all day.
Guided Trips at Canmore
Our own guides specialize in the Calgary Bow tailwater. For the upper Bow around Canmore, we set you up with a trusted guide in our network — always licensed and highly experienced — who lives and fishes that mountain water. You arrange the trip through us and fish with a local pro. Heres what to know:
How a Canmore Trip Works
- •The water: the Bow around Canmore, just outside Banff National Park (Alberta licence, no park permit)
- •The fishery: wild browns and mountain whitefish in glacier-fed freestone water — smaller than the tailwater, far more scenic
- •The style: a guided float (drift boat) down the Bow — the only way we run it, matched to the season and water level
- •Best season: July through September, once the June snowmelt clears
Staying in Banff or Canmore? Even better — the meet-up is right there. Tell us your dates and well sort out the details and current pricing.
Upper Bow River FAQ
Does King Trout guide the upper Bow at Canmore?
Our own guides specialize in the Calgary Bow tailwater. For the upper Bow around Canmore, we set you up with a trusted guide in our network — always licensed and highly experienced — who lives and fishes that mountain water. You arrange the trip through us and fish with a local pro who knows it cold.
How far is Canmore from Calgary and Banff?
Canmore is about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1.5 hours west of Calgary on the Trans-Canada, and only about 25 minutes from the Banff townsite. If you are staying in Canmore or Banff, we can arrange to meet you there.
Are fish bigger on the Calgary Bow?
Yes, significantly. The Calgary Bow tailwater averages 16-22 inches. The upper Bow around Canmore runs smaller, roughly 8-14 inches with the odd fish to 20. If trophy size is your priority, fish the Calgary tailwater; the upper Bow is about wild mountain trout and scenery.
Do I need a national park fishing licence at Canmore?
No. Canmore sits just outside Banff National Park, so a regular Alberta sportfishing licence — a free WIN card plus the licence — is all you need. The Canmore stretch is a bait-ban, catch-and-release trout fishery, and bull trout are a protected species with zero retention. A Parks Canada permit is only required inside the park itself, which is not where these trips run.
Is the upper Bow good for beginners?
Absolutely. Smaller fish are easier to hook and land, and the scenery keeps you engaged during slow periods. It is a more relaxed experience than the trophy-focused Calgary tailwater.
When is the best time to fish the Bow at Canmore?
July is the standout — flows settle after the June snowmelt clears and the dry-fly fishing peaks. September is excellent too, with cooler days and fewer people. Spring runoff (mid-May into June) colours up the upper river, so early-season timing matters.
Do you float or wade the Canmore water?
We float it. Your Canmore trip is a guided drift down the Bow — taking in the mountain scenery from the boat is a big part of the appeal. The float gets matched to the season and water level.
Plan a Canmore Fishing Trip
Want the mountain option near Banff? Wild trout, glacier-fed water, and scenery the tailwater cant match. Well connect you with our upper-Bow guide.
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