There are 28 species of fish in the Lower Athabasca - a mix of cool-water species such as walleye and northern pike and cold-water species such as lake trout. The major water basins in the Lower Athabasca are important over-wintering, spawning and rearing grounds for fish in the region.
Wildlife in the Lower Athabasca includes a wide range of game species and resident and migratory birds. The region plays a vital role for Alberta wildlife, serving as breeding grounds and staging areas during migration and over-wintering. The relative inaccessibility that has historically characterized the Lower Athabasca has also made it home to several species that are particularly sensitive to human disturbance.
The region has also played an historic role in hunting and trapping activities, by aboriginal people and European settlers alike. Today at least six mammal and 22 bird species are hunted and another 22 mammals are trapped in the region. At least 14 mammal species in the Lower Athabasca have pelts considered valuable as fur.
Major Mammals and Game Birds in the Lower Athabasca |
American Marten |
Beaver |
Black Bear |
Canada Lynx |
Coyote |
Fisher |
Grey Wolf |
Mink |
Moose |
Muskrat |
Mule Deer |
Northern River Otter |
White-tailed Deer |
American Coot |
Canada Goose |
Duck (various species) |
Greater White-fronted Goose |
Ross’ Goose |
Snow Goose |
Wilson’s Snipe |
Source: Profile of the Lower Athabasca Region, July 2009, Sustainable Resource Development.