Canyon Creek Hatchery
An Iconic Reminder of our Industrious Past
Rehabilitating a Lakefront Legacy
In March of 2023, the MD remediated the hazardous remnants of a provincial fisheries dock that had succumbed to the ravages of time.
Where the dock once stood were large rocks, creosote-infused pilings, and corroded iron spikes that posed both ecological and public safety hazards.
Leveraging grant funding from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, MD crews broke ground in the fall of 2022 and completed the project in early 2023. Remediation entailed removing 35 loads of deteriorated wooden beams and piles, in addition to 137 dump truck loads of rocks that were then cleaned and placed near the lakeshore at a new campground by the Widewater recreation area.
After years of planning and collaboration with our federal counterparts, we close a chapter of our history responsibly while helping make the old Canyon Creek Harbour a safer, more purposeful recreation spot for generations to come.
An Iconic Reminder of our Industrious Past
Nearly every trace of Canyon Creek’s rail-era business boom has disappeared, with the exception of a unique building that began its life as a federal hatchery.
In 1928, the Canadian Department of Marine and Fisheries built the Canyon Creek Fish Hatchery to spur industry and provide local employment.
A 1930 federal fisheries report indicated that the Canyon Creek location produced more fish fry (16.8 million pickerel and 70.6 million whitefish) than any other hatchery in Canada.
For several years, the whitefish commanded top dollar in New York, Chicago and other southern markets. When the United States banned whitefish imports in 1932, focus shifted to domestic buyers, including area mink farms.
The Province assumed operations in 1930. Soon thereafter, the fish hatchery was shut down, and the building was converted into a hotel.
Today, the old fish hatchery building is commonly known as the Canyon Creek Hotel.
This historic building is enjoying its twilight years as a private residence. Visitors are thanked for respecting the privacy of its present-day owners.
Explore Some More
Interpretive plaques are located near historic sites across the MD. They each feature a unique QR code that, if scanned with a mobile device, will take you to an informational page like this one!
Explore More Points of Interest
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