Catching Prussian Carp at Frank Lake in Southern Alberta Canada

It was -20 when we got to the lake this morning but we are determined to fish some open water at the end of January in Canada. This lake has always been rumored to have no fish in it , but we wanted to check it out anyways. What was found was INCREDIBLE! , never have I seen fish like this in Southern Alberta. These fish are invasive to Alberta and need to be eliminated, but on this day they made for a great fishing trip and story to tell.

[@brucemasterman1]

I was the guy who talked to you and your kids at the gate at Frank Lake on Saturday afternoon Han. 30) at the end of your day of fishing. This is a wonderful video with spectacular drone footage. I'm glad you included the health caution at the beginning and the conservation message at the end about not fishing during waterfowl nesting season. I have seen many anglers out there catching and keeping fish to eat, not caring that it is a sewage outflow. I would have liked a comment from you about the lack of catch/possession limits and that anglers are required to keep, kill and safely dispose of all Prussian carp that they catch. It is illegal to catch and release here because, as your child pointed out, these are an invasive species. I really enjoyed the video and seeing the enthusiasm of you and the kids. Great work!

[@LitwinFishing]

Thanks for the comment , always enjoy the opportunity talk others that are out enjoying our beautiful nature areas. Could not even imagine eating these fish right from that outflow , I have read that the fish flesh can even retain high levels of human medication from the wastewater. Yuck!

[@ccflyca]

Well put together, awesome info for a lot of people who don't know about the carp problem we have!

[@LitwinFishing]

Thanks! I talked to a person walking the area and they said it was reported to Fish and Wildlife 2 years ago, and has only gotten worse.

[@rokdr57]

@@LitwinFishing Worse? One result is the establishment of a pelican colony!

[@anthonyg9822]

Awesome to see a family out fishing ... ill have to check that lake out.

[@LitwinFishing]

Go for it! Not sure if they are always there in the winter because of the warm water, or if they are just spawning currently.

[@AnglingSpiders]

Another great one, thanks for posting. Hopefully we can get out there before it gets too crazy. We have never caught Prussian Carp yet. Also, thanks for the warning - very important.

[@LitwinFishing]

Thanks , I am now thinking on how to target the Pike in that area without our bait getting nibbled to pieces by the Carp.

[@EricBroome-ds6wu]

Love all your videos! Keep it up.

[@superymariowest2403]

Strange thing is that the same species of Prussian Carp is also in the Balkans. A lake famous for diversity and trophy fish now only has invasive carp. In 3 hours, I caught 43 fish that each weigh 500-900 grams. Every single one was full of eggs and we didn't see anything except the carp. The lake was clean enough to eat the fish but they aren't too tasty.

[@awhittick6228]

A recent study found that a small % of prussian carp eggs can pass through waterfowl digestive systems, and survive! That may be how they're invading new waterbodies! Great video - thanks!

[@LitwinFishing]

Thanks, I talked to Fish and Wildlife and they said there is not much they can do. So expect to see them all over Southern Alberta in the next 5-10 years.

[@stanrefcio1055]

Thanks for this very interesting video. Just out of curiosity are there any signs posted near the lake warning of the dangers? I'd hate to see someone getting sick because they weren't made aware of the risks. Is the property gov. land?? Private? Kinda surprised you are even allowed to fish there.

[@LitwinFishing]

The only sign read "Treated Effluent , Avoid contact with the water" , the land is managed by Ducks Unlimited. Precautions need to be taken if going there, however someones dog jumped in a started chasing the fish when we left. Yikes!

[@ianspingle8865]

Don't touch the water but it's OK for wildlife 🤔Don't make sense but ok the fish aren't your biggest problem pollution is.

[@JustinHallowesOutdoors]

thanks for sharing

[@LitwinFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@primal_aperture_photo]

A very interesting video, nice footage. :)

[@LitwinFishing]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@danielguillaume9649]

Great video. I had no idea about the carp in there. Makes you wonder...

[@LitwinFishing]

There are definitely Pike in the lake also , saw a couple chasing the school of fish. Also had a couple rigs bitten off bringing in a fish on the line.

[@BetterGPS]

Great video! Do you know other spots near Calgary where there are lots of carps like this one?

[@LitwinFishing]

Glad you liked it , I am going to explore some areas downstream from this Lake and see how far they have moved. I think if I can find moving water they should be found spawning in groups.

[@stephenford2835]

Dewitts pond, canals around high river, airdrie irrigation canals all have prussians

[@rokdr57]

@@stephenford2835 therefore to suggest that angling for carp from Frank Lake is going to eradicate them is just hubris. Better to leave such altruism to Ducks Unlimited, and Fish & Wildlife!

[@janeth2092]

hi, it is A very good fishing day. Do you think it is safe to go to the bank right now in March after the icy melt?

[@LitwinFishing]

Yes , the bank is pretty solid at this spot.

[@spendlessrecipe2022]

wow, looked like a fun day

[@LitwinFishing]

Thanks , the boys really enjoyed it and I think expect to catch fish like this all the time.

[@dannyw3020]

@@LitwinFishing back in england we catch carp like that ,that are ten times the size or those carp and lots of them because we dont kill them, we have ponds lakes and rivers full of them and it makes for real good fishing!

[@veetleify]

Nice Video.

[@LitwinFishing]

Thanks!

[@jaycoblaberge36]

Is it not a trespassing ticket if you go over the fence?

[@harithalmajmaie6997]

Do you think there are still fish in the lake?, because I went last summer at the same spot and I catch no thing 😅

[@LitwinFishing]

Try Early to Mid February, they should be spawning by the inlet.

[@ThePikeHunter1]

Hi, do you have any information about the possibility of fishing for this species after March 31? Thank you.

[@LitwinFishing]

I believe the lake is open all year round but I would just stay out of the conservation area while the birds are nesting. There are several public access roads South of the lake with access if you have a 4X4 and those fish will start to move out to main lake as the ice melts.

[@ThePikeHunter1]

Thank you

[@tt-hp5pw]

Hello, anyone knows if this lake open all year? Or what the regulation? Can't see that from PP1 list

[@LitwinFishing]

If it is not listed then it fall under the main PP1 rules , open all year.

[@rokdr57]

@@LitwinFishing unless you accidentally snag a jack, and the fish cops catch you in the act!

[@blackandredsword2698]

Did you find and with three or more eyes?

[@Frtzo]

Hahaha That would be fitting.

[@LitwinFishing]

No , but I might have heard a couple of them say "Mooo"

[@fishertech]

how come it doesnt freeze? somthing to do with it being waste water?

[@LitwinFishing]

Yeah the waste water coming in is from an underground pipe and stays warm until it hits lake and spreads out.

[@anytimefishingandoutdoors6983]

You should go to Blood Indian reservoir help us clear it out. I landed an 11 inch Purrusian carp in brooks aqueduct pond so we know they are thick in there to. I shared this on Facebook I hope it gets more views.

[@LitwinFishing]

Have never been to Blood Indian reservoir yet , is there a decent boat launch?

[@crimsonravenx4484]

i go there alot. We especially fish the prussian carp. currently the carp has decreased a lot because of Chinese people like us. each day LOTS of Chinese people go there. To be Honest i wish there was more coz there so delicious

[@bratsphil]

Sir how many fish we can keep at frank lake.thank you

[@LitwinFishing]

As many Prussian Carp as you can keep , no limit on Carp

[@almostallrobloxking590]

Do you need 4by4 to access the lake?

[@LitwinFishing]

Nope, once the close the gates you can walk in using the access road. But stay away during hunting season, lots of hunters out at the lake right now.

[@almostallrobloxking590]

Are the Prussian carp in there in the summer?.

[@LitwinFishing]

Yup , all year

[@quinnengel5164]

Was there today, although very cold we caught hundreds

[@LitwinFishing]

Nice! , catch any larger ones?

[@quinnengel5164]

@@LitwinFishing no sadly they were all about medium size but there was hundreds

[@tt-hp5pw]

@@LitwinFishing hello, is that lake open all year? Can't see that from PP1 list

[@tt-hp5pw]

@@quinnengel5164 hello, is that lake open all year? Can't see that from PP1 list

[@quinnengel5164]

@@tt-hp5pw yessir

[@caolei1284]

Does anyone have ideas that better quality water body stock Prussian Carps in AB? They are highly rated sport fishing targets in East Asia. I do know some people would like to drive more than 12 hours from BC to AB to catch those fishes. If any locals having trouble with those carps please let us know. Those anglers don't care about the meat that much but just in case their wife may ask why they came back from a long fishing trip but with an empty cooler lol.

[@LitwinFishing]

Fish and Wildlife has said they are in the Bow and moving downstream into the South Sask river. Might try anything in that watershed area.

[@caolei1284]

@@LitwinFishing Thank you for the information.

[@rokdr57]

@@LitwinFishing Therefore trying to fish out Frank to be the white knight saving the day is misguided and steals prey from the pelicans, etc.

[@TheMrpiggyboy]

Gees they are there by the thousands. I am sure that Alberta fFsh and Wildlife could take advantage of the situatuion to deal with the invasion. Oh sorry , did you say minus 20 degrees C.

[@LitwinFishing]

Yup , it was a cold -20 that day

[@GREENTICKETRO]

I think the fish catched is not good for eating

[@shabanibrahim8370]

Hi there nice catch can you keep fish there? what is the regulation

[@LitwinFishing]

Prussian Carp are invasive if you catch them you need to kill them. I would not eat any from this lake with the waste water inflow.

[@primal_aperture_photo]

if you would've watched the video you would know the answer to your question! LOL!

[@chrisburgess6964]

i might go out but the water is good it has to be for the ducks

[@LitwinFishing]

A U of A biologist want to test some of the fish so I have some in the freezer for them. Will let you know what the results are once I get them.

[@polarnorthcan71]

Don't you think it's time to get your family a quad!

[@LitwinFishing]

LOL , yes it has been on the wish list but then of all of the calories we are burning with the walks. The mountain lakes we are looking at visiting might be a bit too much going uphill with all this stuff.

[@kevinegan734]

Sad to see Prussian carp spreading so fast.

[@LitwinFishing]

I am surprised there is so little interest in doing anything about it. I have talked to Fish and Wildlife and they said they are going to do nothing about it and it is Ducks Unlimited problem. I I talked to Ducks Unlimited but they do not have the resources to much. I have offered to organize some volunteers to net and dispose of what we can pull in.

[@cityboyis2]

@@LitwinFishing why not just leave them alone, some people like to catch them and eat them. they are a popular fish in many parts of the world. why do we need to be so snobby about having them hear. It's not like stocked rainbow are much better. I would never eat them, when you catch them their stomach is full of cheese or corn, instead of natural food.

[@LitwinFishing]

@@cityboyis2 Biologist have label them invasive and are killing them off where they can. At least they should make for great Pike and Walleye food.

[@cityboyis2]

@@LitwinFishing thx for reply, biologist and fish and wildlife are not always with the times. I am sure many people in alberta, primarily some city folks that are used to carp in other countries, would be happy to be able to go out and fish for carp, at least they would be plentiful because they can spawn and don't have to be restocked yearly. I remember when burbot was considered a junk fish in alberta and some people would catch and kill them, but look at the attitude towards them now. Now they are sought after and there are even limits to what you can catch. Anyways, not trying to debate just offering my opinion. Happy fishing.

[@donniedixon9240]

@@cityboyis2 these carp destroy our trout and other sportfish waters, they eat like everything.

[@ianspingle8865]

Why doesn't the government find a use for the fish animal feed or something seems wasteful to me just to dump them guess the scavengers are happy. Just like the government to waste an opportunity

[@AlbertaCA69]

Too many myths on carp…. they have invaded all of our waters in central southern alberta youtube has great video’s on carp study great job getting rid of what you guys did high five!

[@LitwinFishing]

Thanks for watching , I remember catching big carp in Manitoba when I was a kid. I am hoping the Pike will really like eating these small ones.

[@victorcross5949]

Frank Lake sounds absolutely revolting.

[@LitwinFishing]

lol , wait until the hot summer , the algae blooms are nasty. Yet these fish still survive.

[@rokdr57]

I think the danger of catching a disease from the water is overstated (although discretion is the better part of valour), or maybe dead birds would be littering the shoreline in the spring and summer!

[@shengyang4521]

Spot no fish at this location.

[@HuyFishin]

Not sure why people find the need to transport fish and illegally stock lakes.

[@LitwinFishing]

If there are a couple million fish just in this one spot , they have to be all over that lake. The outlet should have something to monitor what is going downstream.

[@chrisburgess6964]

They r being spread by birds and the eggs can survive in droppings when the duck eat the egg

[@HuyFishin]

@@chrisburgess6964 ahh that makes sense

[@rokdr57]

You'll never fish them out so to suggest that's what you're doing is silly. Secondly, the lake has no outflow, it basically being a sewage lagoon, so there's no threat if the carp spreading to other waters. Thirdly, the presence of the carp provides ample food for many bird species, and has resulted in the establishment of pelican, cormorant and gull colonies!

[@LitwinFishing]

Thanks for the comments , however you are incorrect the outflow is into the Little Bow system at the South East end of the lake. That flows into the several reservoirs and eventually into the South Saskatchewan River.

[@rokdr57]

@@LitwinFishing Well, if that is the case, then the carp will have already spread into those waters. Meanwhile, taking it upon yourself to eradicate them from Frank Lake jeopardizes the established pelican/cormorant colonies, as well as several other species, such as herons, bitterns, grebes etc. Do you want that on your conscience? Or would you like to also go after the house sparrows, European starlings, rock pigeons and feral pigs?

[@LitwinFishing]

Just the guidance from Fish & Wildlife www.alberta.ca/invasive-fish-species.aspx They just did a netting on Blood Indian Reservoir in southeastern Alberta and netted 10K+ Carp , I know Frank Lake is on their list for some kind of action.

[@quinnengel5164]

Gross lake never thought it had fish

[@LitwinFishing]

Me neither , but saw some pictures online of birds eating carp and had to check it out.

[@quinnengel5164]

@@LitwinFishing oh

[@superymariowest2403]

If you can't beat it, make a sport out of it.