Recent Fish Stock History:
- November 1, 2024 (400 tiger trout, 250 brown trout)
- September 13, 2023 (124 tiger trout, 161 brown trout, 161 brook trout)
- September 21, 2023 (291 tiger trout, 59 rainbow trout)
General Fishing Rules
The LCRA has implemented Catch & Release Regulations for all trout and grass carp; these regulations require the following:
- Immediate release of any caught trout or grass carp back to the lake
- Single, barbless hooks only; no treble hooks
- No use of a fishing net
- No live bait
- Minimal handling of the fish; removal of hooks with pliers
All perch caught are to be kept or disposed of properly; perch are not to be returned to the lake.
Fishing is only allowed in the following locations and is subject to the following conditions:
- Along the shoreline in the designated park area west of the Boathouse
- From row boats and canoes away from dock and beach areas
- From the shore of individual lake or lake access lots – docks are included in this.
- Fishing from the docks of the main LCRA park are not permitted due to proximity of boat launching.
- Feeding or baiting fish to lure them to a specific area within the lake is prohibited
- Fishing by means of netting or trapping is prohibited
- One fishing rod per person
- One guest per member can fish
- Storing of trapped fish within the lake is not allowed
- Members or guests may NOT use corn or live bait when fishing
- Cleaning fish inside the park is not permitted at any time
The LCRA recommends the following bait to be used for fishing:
- Cheese slices
- Power bait
- Fresh white bread
- Small hooks and fly-fishing flies
To ensure a healthy ecosystem for the stocked fish, there is absolutely no introduction of live fish to the lake.
Ice Fishing Rules
- All General Fishing Rules apply (as listed above)
- Ice fishing is only permitted when the LCRA has removed the “Danger Thin Ice” signs
- Ice fishing is not permitted within 10 meters (30 feet) of any prepared ice surfaces (skating path, hockey rinks), lakefront properties, docks, or shorelines
- Fishermen can only have 1 open hole at any given time
- All ice fishing holes must be filled and packed with snow prior to drilling a new one
- All ice fishing holes must be a minimum of 5 feet apart from each other
- Ice fishing huts are permitted but must be taken down prior to the listed LCRA closing time
- Only one guest per member is permitted to fish
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What fish are in Lake Chaparral?
A: Brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, tiger trout, perch, and grass carp (pictures shown below).
Q: Why do I have to keep/dispose of any perch I catch?
A: Yellow perch (Perca Flavescens) are considered an invasive species and have significant negative impacts on the Lake Chaparral ecosystem. Perch are voracious feeders, grow very quickly, eat young fish/tadpoles, compete with trout for food habitat, and may carry parasites that have the potential to harm native fish species.
Q: Why do I need to release trout that I catch?
There are four species of trout in Lake Chaparral (listed above). The existing perch are crowding out the trout and competing for food, resulting in undersized trout. Catch and release of trout is one of our many measures to restore population balance to Lake Chaparral, allowing them to grow bigger and have a better chance at survival.
Q: Why are there grass carp in the lake?
Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), also known as White Amur, were released some time ago into Lake Chaparral as part of our healthy lake management system. Grass carp have historically been used as an alternative to traditional aquatic weed control measures (chaining, raking, etc.) or chemical application, which may harm the ecosystem.
Q: What else is involved in the LCRA lake management strategy?
In addition to the rules and restrictions listed above, the health of Lake Chaparral is closely monitored by our Facility and Maintenance teams.
This includes, but is not limited to, seasonal limnology testing, enterococcus testing through Alberta Health Services, algae bloom monitoring and treatment, weed growth monitoring and manual removal via scuba diving, goose/wildlife mitigation practices, aeration via stream/waterfall management and nightly aerator usage, clarity checks, restriction of fuel-based watercraft by members, and limitation of LCRA motorboat usage.
