Parks Canada has announced an indefinite ban on watercraft and certain angling equipment across several prominent bodies of water in Banff National Park beginning this spring to combat the spread of aquatic invasive species.
According to an article by CBC, the new restrictions prohibit the use of canoes, paddleboards, kayaks, and fishing waders at popular locations including Moraine Lake, Bow Lake, and Lake Minnewanka, with similar measures extending to various backcountry lakes and rivers.
While rental boats and motorboats that pass inspection will still be allowed on Lake Minnewanka, visitors are generally limited to swimming, snorkeling, and fishing without waders in the affected areas.
These measures follow the 2025 detection of whirling disease in Lake Louise, a parasite that can cause up to a 90% mortality rate in young trout, whitefish, and salmon populations.
“It’s unlikely that whirling disease was spread to Lake Louise through natural fish movement,” said François Masse, Parks Canada superintendent for the Lake Louise, Yoho, and Kootenay field unit. Masse added that “it’s most likely the disease was introduced by mud or water on watercraft or angling equipment”.
Although the “clean, drain, dry” policy was previously in place, aquatic invasive species project coordinator Marie Veillard noted that only about 60% of visitors followed the rules, which was insufficient to halt the parasite’s progression.
“We’re still seeing some spread of the disease, which is why we’ve added additional protections for our most sensitive water bodies,” Veillard said.
The parasite does not harm humans or other mammals, but Veillard warned it “can have a profound effect on aquatic ecosystems”.
The rollout has faced criticism from the Alberta Whitewater Association, where Executive Director Mike Holroyd expressed frustration over a lack of consultation with paddling groups.
“It’s pretty devastating for some of our users,” Holroyd stated, suggesting that Parks Canada should have prioritized education, cleaning stations, and enforcement instead. “A lot of people have recreated on these rivers responsibly for years,” Holroyd added.
In response to the disappointment, Veillard explained that Parks Canada is “trying to find a balance between protecting ecosystems and allowing visitors to continue enjoying these places”.
Lakes such as Lake Louise, Johnson Lake, and Two Jack Lake will remain open for water recreation because they do not contain species at risk or critical migratory routes for fish.
In contrast, Moraine Lake, Bow Lake, and Lake Minnewanka house sensitive fish populations, making prevention the most effective strategy since invasive species are difficult to remove once established.
Veillard noted that similar restrictions implemented in Yoho and Kootenay national parks in 2023 appear to be working, as no new detections of whirling disease have occurred in Yoho since then.
Parks Canada will continue to monitor fish populations and recreational use while reminding visitors to clean, drain, and dry all gear used in permitted waters.
These restrictions highlighted the increasing operational challenges and access limitations caused by ecological threats, requiring businesses to adapt to shifting visitor patterns and heightened conservation protocols.