Backpack fishing
 

Hey I would like to take my wife out on her first backpacking trip and she would like to fish while we're out. The only places I have really backpacked into and fished at are all in K-country. Were going to have limited time next weekend so I was hoping there might be a place closer to Edmonton. Somewhere around the kootenay plains perhaps. thanks

Hmmm
 

Perhaps someone like Uberfly can chime in, he's more knowledgeable.

But next weekend?? Backpacking? That seems pretty early to me. How far in the backcountry do you want to go? Near Kootenay Plains, I would hazard a guess there is still lots of snow. Are you willing to x-country ski? (I'm serious).

Even if you found places without snow, I imagine it would be wet and muddy, wouldn't it? Well, who knows, after all the Kootenay Plains are located in a precipitation shadow.

This is your wife's first backpacking trip? I wouldn't do that to her man if I were you!

Sorry I can't be more help. But it's not often you see people backpacking this early. Good luck!

[EDITED] Also, you asked about the fishing. Over 95% of the rivers are closed to fishing and I can guarantee you any lake near the mountains is still frozen over. Just is the completely wrong timing to combine a backpacking and fishing trip near the mountains. I'd focus on some early season camping and hiking if it were me. But there are a couple of rivers open (North Sask, for example).

Lakes there might be open in another month

Definitely stay out of the alpine. The only low elevation trip I've done in that area in the early season is Glacier Lake, but its in the National Park. Trailhead is right across from Sask Crossing. No elevation, nice lake.

Maybe Allstones lake near nordegg , it is 7km one way. Steep incline to the lake.

If he is going next weekend do you think the ice will be off? It's about 650m elevation gain.

Good point. Probably still frozen over.