Ironside Pond - Lake Aeration (80.6 km)
Ironside Pond, located northwest of Caroline, spans 34 acres and provides opportunities for fishing and wildlife observation. Annually stocked with tiger trout, the pond is aerated to maintain water quality. Visitors can find parking for up to five cars on the west side, where signage is posted for easy access. On the east side, a roadside viewing area overlooks the pond, making it an ideal spot for birdwatching. Species in the area include the Orange-crowned Warbler, Ring-necked Scaup, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Warbling Vireo. Other wildlife species spotted here include moose, beaver, and mule deer. The site is home to a variety of plants, such as labrador tea, water serum, horsetail, tamarack, willow, white spruce, trembling aspen, and cattails. Please note that there are no hiking trails, washrooms, or garbage facilities on-site. Access is via a dead-end road near oil leases, and the road can become muddy after rainfall.
Access: Head west on Highway 54 from Caroline. At the Clearwater Trading Post, turn right onto Highway 22/Cowboy Trail. After 15 km, turn left onto Township Road 38-0, then continue on Township Road 375A. In 10 km, turn right onto Range Road 8-0, then right onto Township Road 380. Follow the road for about 2 km until you reach a fork with Ironside Pond signage.
Partners: ACA, AEP, Alberta Lottery Fund, Clearwater County, Keyera Energy, Northern Lights Fly Fishers, TUC Edmonton
Alberta Discover Guide: E2-6
Ironside Pond, located northwest of Caroline, spans 34 acres and provides opportunities for fishing and wildlife observation. Annually stocked with tiger trout, the pond is aerated to maintain water quality. Visitors can find parking for up to five cars on the west side, where signage is posted for easy access. On the east side, a roadside viewing area overlooks the pond, making it an ideal spot for birdwatching. Species in the area include the Orange-crowned Warbler, Ring-necked Scaup, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and Warbling Vireo. Other wildlife species spotted here include moose, beaver, and mule deer. The site is home to a variety of plants, such as labrador tea, water serum, horsetail, tamarack, willow, white spruce, trembling aspen, and cattails. Please note that there are no hiking trails, washrooms, or garbage facilities on-site. Access is via a dead-end road near oil leases, and the road can become muddy after rainfall.
Access: Head west on Highway 54 from Caroline. At the Clearwater Trading Post, turn right onto Highway 22/Cowboy Trail. After 15 km, turn left onto Township Road 38-0, then continue on Township Road 375A. In 10 km, turn right onto Range Road 8-0, then right onto Township Road 380. Follow the road for about 2 km until you reach a fork with Ironside Pond signage.
Partners: ACA, AEP, Alberta Lottery Fund, Clearwater County, Keyera Energy, Northern Lights Fly Fishers, TUC Edmonton
Alberta Discover Guide: E2-6
