As summer winds down, anglers in Southern Ontario have plenty to look forward to. With the last weekend of summer on deck, we’ve got prime conditions for trout, bass, pike, musky, and salmon. Here’s your Southern Ontario Fly Fishing Forecast for September 17th, packed with the latest river conditions, salmon runs, and tips for making the most of September fishing.
Salmon Runs Heating Up
River anglers have reason to get excited. Salmon fishing has been strong on several systems, especially east of Toronto. Despite the recent dry spell and lower flows, rivers like:
- Bowmanville
- Rouge
- Duffins
- Ganaraska
…are all holding fish thanks to healthy aquifers that keep water flowing.
On the Credit and Humber, water levels are low with fewer salmon, but bigger systems to the north like the Nottawasaga and the Saugeen are starting to see runs.
Tactics: Egg patterns remain the most effective choice, especially in low, clear water. Smaller streamers and baitfish patterns can also work, just fish them slow and methodically.
Trout Season Closing Soon
This is your last chance to hit many of Southern Ontario’s inland trout rivers, with the season wrapping up in the next week. The Upper Credit and Upper Grand are prime targets if you want to squeeze in a final trip.
Don’t forget about extended season opportunities after September too! The Grand River around Paris fishes well into October with both steelhead and resident rainbow trout and there are quite a few lakes and rivers that are open year round for trout too!
Tactics: Downsize your tippet to 6X or 7X for clear water. Small flies are key,think Blue-Winged Olives, ants, and tiny nymphs like pheasant tails and hare’s ears in sizes 16–18.
Streamers can produce, but stick to smaller patterns and lighter tippet (2X–4X) to get the best action.
Warm-Water Action Still Strong
Remember, it’s still summer! Bass, pike, and musky are feeding aggressively as they bulk up for fall. With fewer boats on lakes like Simcoe and the Kawarthas, anglers can enjoy quieter days and some of the best fishing of the year.
Tactics: Don’t rush to the water at dawn. Cooler mornings often mean fish are more active as the day warms.
Afternoons and evenings can be prime time. Larger flies like Clouser Minnows, poppers, and Brammer’s Impostor can trigger aggressive strikes.
The Southern Ontario Fly Fishing Forecast for September 17th is looking excellent. From salmon staging in eastern rivers, to trout sipping dries on clear streams, to bass smashing poppers on quiet lakes, this weekend is one you won’t want to miss.
Get out, enjoy the last weekend of summer, and if you need any advice on flies, gear, or where to go, drop by the shop. See you on the water!
