Parks Canada banning paddling at some popular Banff National Park lakes
CBC
Parks Canada is banning boats and other watercraft on several popular lakes and rivers in Banff National Park starting this spring to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Canoeing, paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing with waders will no longer be allowed at lakes such as Moraine Lake, Bow Lake and Lake Minnewanka. Other backcountry lakes and rivers will face similar restrictions.
Motorboats that pass inspection, along with rental boats, will still be permitted on Lake Minnewanka.
Visitors will still be able to swim, snorkel and fish without waders at these lakes.
The restrictions are expected to remain in place indefinitely.
Until now, visitors could use those lakes if they followed the “clean, drain, dry” policy. The rule requires people to remove plants, mud and water from boats and equipment before moving between lakes, to prevent invasive species from spreading.
Whirling disease was detected in Lake Louise for the first time in 2025.
“It’s unlikely that whirling disease was spread to Lake Louise through natural fish movement,” said François Masse, the Parks Canada superintendent for Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay's field unit. “It’s most likely the disease was introduced by mud or water on watercraft or angling equipment.”
During a media briefing, Parks Canada aquatic invasive species project co-ordinator Marie Veillard said about 60 per cent of visitors follow the rules, but that hasn’t been enough to stop the spread of the parasite.
“We’re still seeing some spread of the disease, which is why we’ve added additional protections for our most sensitive water bodies,” she said.
Whirling disease is a parasite that can severely impact fish populations, particularly trout, whitefish and salmon. In some cases, it can kill up to 90 per cent of young fish.
“It’s not harmful to humans or other mammals, but it can have a profound effect on aquatic ecosystems,” says Veillard.
Mike Holroyd, executive director of the Alberta Whitewater Association, says many paddlers support efforts to stop invasive species and are frustrated by how the policy was rolled out.
He says paddling groups were not consulted before the decision and believes Parks Canada should focus more on education, cleaning stations and enforcement to prevent the spread of invasive species.
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