Hey everyone, Chris here with your fishing forecast for April 30th, and we’re officially wrapping up a stellar April. The trout opener this past weekend was fantastic across the board—both for resident trout and steelhead—and we’re rolling right into one of the most exciting months of the year for anglers in southern Ontario.
🎯 May Means Options
May is a month of abundance. Here’s what’s on the radar:
- Trout – Resident and steelhead
- Pike – Opening in zones across the province
- Pre-spawn Bass season – Still active in Lake Ontario
- Crappie & Panfish – In full swing
- Walleye – Opening soon!
Pike Season Starts This Weekend
Zone 20 Pike opener (Lake Ontario) kicks off Saturday, May 4, and it’s a prime window to chase post-spawn pike—those big fish are still hanging close to their spawning zones in the shallows.
✅ No boat? No problem. Waders and shoreline access are all you need
✅ Bonus if you’ve got a canoe or kayak—access to less-pressured areas makes a big difference
✅ More zones opening in coming days/weeks
Last Chance Pre-Spawn Bass Season
There’s just over a week left in the pre-season bass window in Lake Ontario, and it’s been a great one for chasing big smallmouth and largemouth in shallow pre-spawn zones.
Once the summer hits, those fish tend to go deep/stay hidden—now’s your time to find them!
Trout Opener Recap
The 2025 trout opener was solid, with conditions were all over the map:
Some rivers were low and clear
Others still running high from recent rain
Water temps varied widely across the region
Bottom line: there were fish everywhere, and people were finding success no matter the method. Some rivers were better for nymphing, others for swinging drop-backs, and if you’re unsure where to go next, we’re happy to point you in the right direction.
The cooler weather this week may even help keep steelhead around a little longer—but don’t wait too long. They’ll start to drop out soon.
🐛Resident Trout & Hatches
It’s shaping up to be a great early trout season. Water levels are healthy, and as things warm up a bit more, we’ll see more bug activity.
Right now:
- Blue-winged olives (BWOs) are the main hatch
- Possibly a few Hendricksons depending on the river
- Sulphurs will follow soon after
- Nymphing is your best bet
- Think pheasant tails, hare’s ears, Frenchies, especially with hot spots
- Streamer fishing is productive
- Eggs and worms continue to shine
- Light yellow egg patterns imitate sucker spawn perfectly
- Spring = worms, and they still move big fish!
🎣 Need a Game Plan?
We’re always happy to help you dial in your weekend plans—where to go, what to use, and what’s fishing best. Just reach out, and we’ll get you pointed in the right direction.
Good luck out there—May is looking great!
