The harbour is bathed in golden light as Captain Brian Hamilton pulls up to the dock in his beautiful Bayliner boat. Chris, Jeremy, Tracy, 5 year old Patryk, and I are eager to get out on the water and try for Cold Lake’s legendary lake trout. If anyone knows where to find them, it’s Brian of Hamilton House B&B and Fishing Charters. Brian has lived and fished here for 40 years, and caught (and released) his share of trophy fish.
As we make our way to a secret fishing hole, Brian points out Lund’s Point, French Bay, and Kinosoo Ridge Ski Resort. Kinosoo, Cold Lake’s original name, means “Big Fish” in the Dene Suline language. Legend has it that a Kinosoo bit a Dene warrior’s canoe in two as he paddled across French Bay to meet his betrothed. Huge teeth marks and fish scales were found on the wreckage, but the warrior was never seen again. “It’s Cold Lake’s Loch Ness Monster!” Tracy Wasylow, a Cold Lake local, exclaims. When you see how huge Cold Lake is, it’s easy to imagine lake monsters lurking in the depths. Cold Lake is Alberta’s fifth largest lake and is almost 400 feet deep.
 |
| Hamilton House B&B’s 24′ Bayliner Boat |
X marks the spot on the fish finder and as promised, there are fish down there. Brian slows to trolling speed, rigs the downriggers, and hands Patryk a fishing rod. We give it our best, but the electrical storm earlier in the evening has killed the bite (a common phenomenon after bad weather). The fish have gone down deep and have tucked themselves in for the night.
 |
| Patryk says, “I think I got a bite!” |
With daylight to spare, Brian takes us on a tour. As we cruise past secluded sandy beaches, he shares Cold Lake’s rich fur trading history, when to go fishing (any time but April), and where to find purple sand (Garnet Beach). Between the colorful stories and sunset, time flies. It has been a wonderful evening on the water and I wish we were staying longer.
 |
| Cold Lake Sunset |
Know Before You Go
A valid Alberta fishing license is required to fish in Alberta.
Fishing Charters in Bonnyville MD
Hamilton House Bed and Breakfast & Fishing Charters
 |
| Captain Brian of Hamilton House B&B Fishing Charters |
 |
| Hamilton House B&B |
It’s A Keeper Guided Fishing Tours & Crane Lake Lodge
 |
| Captain Jerry of It’s a Keeper Guided Fishing Tours |
 |
| Crane Lake Lodge |
 |
| Captain Cam of O-Fishial Business Fishing Charters |
For More Information
Partnership Disclosure
Thank you to Lac La Biche Community Futures, the MD of Bonnyville, Travel Alberta, and ZenSeekers for having me on the #TakeItToTheLake Expedition! All words and opinions are my own.
