Stillwater minnows?
 

What are the most common minnows that stillwater trout eat here in Alberta, and what is a good pattern to imitate them? Thanks.

I have no idea if they are the most common, but a lot of the lakes I fish for trout in have a good population of stickleback minnows in them.

From what I've been told by bios, the most common small fish in Alberta ponds are the Brook Stickleback and the Fathead Minnow. Best patterns I've seen are Phil Rowley's Balanced Fathead Minnow and Reg Denny's Blue Carey, although a brown or olive wooly bugger probably works ok. Think a lot depends on where and how you fish it. Look forward to hearing about other minnow patterns on here.

I have used the Thunder creek minnow .Simple easy tie,materials ,won't break the bank.Use it in Manitoba's trophy lakes,AB..

Doc Spratley in black or olive is a simple pattern I’ve always had success with down south, either trolling or strip and twitch. Imitates a number of bugs as well as a minnow.

Personal favorites epoxy minnow, muddler, and a crystal bugger variant I tie with barbell eyes

brook stickleback

https://i.imgur.com/e42BMvk.jpg


Fat head minnow

https://i.imgur.com/V97L8kL.jpg

Stillwater minnows
 

Thanks for the ID. The trout in the lake I’m thinking about are feeding on fatheads I believe.

plenty of simple patterns for both. big thing is layering your hair to get the propper colour, cloister minnow is the most versatile for colour scheme. easy to make them flashy also. the matuka or similar pattern with rabbit/mylar is another never ending colour combo matching fly

I like layering mallard flank feathers for minnow patterns; be sure to add eyes!

Check out mallard flank minnow patterns on Google.

One of the best patterns I have come up with is the following
Hook: 9671 size 10-14
Body: Gold Tinsel
Wing: Pheasant tail

I have caught thousands of trout using this fly.

My go to pattern for imitating sticklebacks is a size 8 rolled muddler. I have both gold and silver bodied versions as I've found the minnows in some lakes vary color.