Central Alberta Lakes

132 lakes · Regional stillwater overview

Central Alberta Lakes — Stillwater Hatches

Last reviewed 2026-05-21

Prairie pothole and foothills lakes. Chironomids dominate; ice-out midge/chironomid peaks in May. Callibaetis and damselflies in vegetated bays through summer.

May hatches

No photo available

Scud

Gammarus

Moderatemedium

#14-188-14 mm

Air 10–28°CWater 8–22°C

Prairie pothole and foothills lakes. Chironomids dominate; ice-out midge/chironomid peaks in May. Callibaetis and damselflies in vegetated bays through summer.

Leech

Hirudinea

Moderatemedium

#8-1220-80 mm

Air 10–28°CWater 8–22°C

Prairie pothole and foothills lakes. Chironomids dominate; ice-out midge/chironomid peaks in May. Callibaetis and damselflies in vegetated bays through summer.

No photo available

Water Boatman

Corixidae

Moderatemedium

#12-168-12 mm

Air 10–28°CWater 8–22°C

Prairie pothole and foothills lakes. Chironomids dominate; ice-out midge/chironomid peaks in May. Callibaetis and damselflies in vegetated bays through summer.

Blue-winged Olive

Baetis spp.

Lowlow

#18-225-7 mm

Air 8–18°C (optimal 10–16°C)Water 5–12°C (optimal 6–11°C)

Prairie pothole and foothills lakes. Chironomids dominate; ice-out midge/chironomid peaks in May. Callibaetis and damselflies in vegetated bays through summer.

Midge

Chironomidae

Highhigh

#18-263-12 mm

Air -5–25°C (optimal 5–18°C)Water 2–20°C (optimal 4–15°C)

Prairie pothole and foothills lakes. Chironomids dominate; ice-out midge/chironomid peaks in May. Callibaetis and damselflies in vegetated bays through summer.

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