Danger: Thin ice near shore, even though there is lots elsewhere. There must be a spring here. Location approximate.

Ice report for Dec 14th: 5 to 6 inches of ice.

Checked the ice on Dec 7th (2019) and there was only 2 to 3 inches near shore, with open water at the shoreline. That was after a week of warm chinook weather. It should be improving with colder weather during the week of Dec 9th.

Caught a beautiful 3 lb rainbow trout while ice fishing in early March, just out in front of the parking lot. Cold weather in February had created ~12" of ice.

Tried going ice fishing on Lee Lake today (late January), but it wasn't safe to go out on the ice (only 2-3 inches). I suspect that was the result of a warm (El Nino) winter, and strong Chinook winds. In past years there has been plenty of ice to support going out on foot.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) declared the Bow, Oldman, and Red Deer River watersheds and their tributaries "infected with whirling disease" in the last 10 months. What you need to know and what you can do to prevent it's spread here: http://ow.ly/xo1H30h9n17

"Lees Lake, west of Lethbridge, is open year-round but best fished in spring and fall. The lake is not deep, reaching no more than 45 feet to the bottom, but the lake offers ready public access. A pretty lake, nestled in ranch country with a mountain backdrop, Lees is usually one of the first lakes in the region to shed its ice in the spring. Wintertime seems to be when the larger fish — trout up to 6 lbs. — are more likely hooked. Be wary of the wind, though, which can make icefishing a bit of an ordeal. The lake is stocked annually with 45,000 rainbows, but there is a limit of five trout of all species combined. Most reports indicate there are numerous little rainbows in the lake, of approximately 6-10 inches. There are, however, a few deeper holes where larger trout may be found. Trolling or casting spinners often produces trout but power boats are restricted to 5 km/h. Fly fising is popular, too, but can be a challenge due to steep banks and vegetation close to the shore. “Caught lots of small fish, good access next to highway,” one angler posted on the Angler’s Atlas website. “Pretty lake with some deep spots.” See the page for Lees Lake at anglersatlas.com/place/101956/lees-lake. There used to be plenty of suckers in this lake, but by most accounts they thinned out in recent years. LAKE ACCESS From Lethbridge, follow Hwy. 3 west for roughly 110 km to the turnoff for Hwy. 507 at Bermis. Turn left here and Lees Lake is about three kilometres along this road, on the right. The Alberta Conservation Association maintains a fishing access and boat launch just off Hwy. 507 at north end of lake. "

Lake of the Day: Lees Lake

Lees Lake, west of Lethbridge, is open year-round but best fished in spring and fall. The lake is not deep, reaching no more than 45 feet to the bottom, but the lake offers ready public access. A pretty lake, nestled in ranch country with a mountain backdrop, Lees is usually one of the first lakes in the region to shed its ice in the spring. Wintertime seems to be when the larger fish — trout up to 6 lbs. — are more likely hooked. Be wary of the wind, though, which can make icefishing a bit of an ordeal. The lake is stocked annually with 45,000 rainbows, but there is a limit of five trout of all species combined. Most reports indicate there are numerous little rainbows in the lake, of approximately 6-10 inches. There are, however, a few deeper holes where larger trout may be found. Trolling or casting spinners often produces trout but power boats are restricted to 5 km/h. Fly fising is popular, too, but can be a challenge due to steep banks and vegetation close to the shore. “Caught lots of small fish, good access next to highway,” one angler posted on the Angler’s Atlas website. “Pretty lake with some deep spots.” See the page for Lees Lake at anglersatlas.com/lake/101956. There used to be plenty of suckers in this lake, but by most accounts they thinned out in recent years. LAKE ACCESS From Lethbridge, follow Hwy. 3 west for roughly 110 km to the turnoff for Hwy. 507 at Bermis. Turn left here and Lees Lake is about three kilometres along this road, on the right. The Alberta Conservation Association maintains a fishing access and boat launch just off Hwy. 507 at north end of lake.

Lees Lake Conditions

Info on conditions: http://www.ifishalberta.com/lakeFeedback.php?id=531

Lee's little fish

Caught lots of small fish, good access next to highway. Pretty lake with some deep spots.