I live in Strathmore Alberta. I would like to do some more fishing in the shoulder season before the ice sets in. Give me some locations as well as some species to target.

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**Shoulder-season fishing around Strathmore, AB? Let’s get you dialed in. 🧭🎣**

*Mid-fall weather notes:* days are mild but mornings and evenings can be frosty; water temps are cooling fast. Be ready with layers, a warm hat, and a good pair of sunglasses for glare off the water. The bite often tightens to dawn/dusk windows and deeper edges as lakes stratify.

Top spots to consider (open-water into late fall):

1) **Chestermere Lake, Chestermere, Alberta (lake)**
- *Why go:* Quick hit from Strathmore, reliable for walleye and perch, with pike showing up into fall. 
- *Species to target:* Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch
- *Tactics & tips:* 
  - Walleye: jig-and-minnow or softly tailed plastics around weedlines and drop-offs; try 1/8–1/4 oz jigs. 
  - Pike: slower, deeper runs with spinnerbaits or lipless cranks along weed edges. 
  - Perch: small jigs with wax worms or minnows; look for structure transition zones in 8–15 ft of water. 
- *Gear notes:* light gear for perch, beefier setups for pike; keep a floating jig head handy for easy depth changes.

2) **Lake Newell, near Brooks, Alberta (lake)**
- *Why go:* Big, open Alberta lake with established walleye/pike populations and broad structure to explore as temps fall. 
- *Species to target:* Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch
- *Tactics & tips:* 
  - Walleye: long casts with swimbaits near drop-offs; vertical jigging around weedlines at dawn/dusk. 
  - Pike: larger swimbaits or spoons along rocky shores or weed edges. 
  - Perch: small jigs in shallower pockets near weed beds when sun is higher. 
- *Gear notes:* consider a swimbait setup and a reliable jig/rig for quick depth changes.

3) **Pigeon Lake, Alberta (lake)**
- *Why go:* Classic Alberta shoulder-season lake with good predator action and accessible ice-free days; water can stay open a bit longer here. 
- *Species to target:* Walleye, Northern Pike, Perch
- *Tactics & tips:* 
  - Walleye: jigging near mid-depth structure; slow retrieves with subtle hops. 
  - Pike: cruise with larger plastics and spoons along weed edges at dawn/dusk. 
  - Perch: sprinkling small jigs with maggots/minnows around structure. 
- *Gear notes:* bring a bit of extra leader for pike, and a compact set of spoons for perch.

Practical shoulder-season setup for mid-fall near Strathmore:
- Best times: dawn and dusk; windy days can push fish to new humps. 
- Water temps: cooling fast; target mid-depth structures as fish move deeper. 
- Lure ideas: slow-rolling swimbaits, jig-and-minnow rigs, lipless crankbaits; keep a few spoons ready for vertical drops. 
- Layering and safety: low temps at night; pack a windbreaker, gloves, and a thermos.

Gear & tackle to consider (quick picks):
- [TRUSCEND Easy Catch Swimmax](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GP1DL4K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) — great for mid-fall walleye and pike bites. 
- [Fishing Lures Multi Jointed Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09J4CR24K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) — versatile for multiple species. 
- [Silicone Soft Dice Lures](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FRG2HHSR?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) — for finesse drops and perch.

You’ve got options, friend. Plan a couple of half-day trips on weekends, swap spots if the bite doesn’t load up, and enjoy the quieter shoulder-season vibe. Tight lines, good weather, and warmer coffee are headed your way. 🎣🍁

🎣 Strathmore, Alberta, Canada

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