If you’ve looked at the rivers lately, you already know the story, they’re blown out. Heavy rain over the past few days, with more on the way, has pushed water levels well beyond fishable conditions across much of Ontario.
But that doesn’t mean your weekend plans are shot.
There are still some excellent fishing opportunities right now if you know where to look, and even better conditions just around the corner.
Rivers: High, Dirty, and Temporarily Out of Play
Both small creeks and larger systems are currently running extremely high and muddy. For now, river fishing is largely off the table.
The good news? This is temporary.
With most of the rain expected to pass by Saturday and a relatively dry forecast afterward, rivers should have a full week to drop and clear, setting up very nicely for upcoming trout opener.
Shore Fishing Is Heating Up on Lake Ontario
While rivers are out, the Lake Ontario shoreline is offering some seriously underrated spring action.
Anglers have been finding:
- Brown trout
- Atlantic salmon
Especially around the Toronto Harbour and surrounding shoreline areas.
This is a great time to:
- Fish from shore with a fly rod or gear setup
- Cover water and look for cruising fish
- Take advantage of open water opportunities before river conditions return
If you haven’t explored shoreline fishing this time of year, it’s well worth it.
Pike & Panfish: Kawartha Lakes Are Opening Up
Looking for another option? Head toward the Kawartha Lakes (Zone 17).
- Pike are open year-round
- Ice has recently come off many southern lakes
- Early season conditions are lining up well
This is also a great time to target panfish, which can be incredibly fun on light tackle. Small nymphs, streamers, and simple presentations can produce steady action, and surprisingly strong fights.
Trout Opener Is Just Around the Corner
With trout opener only about 10 days away, things are lining up nicely.
Assuming the current forecast holds:
- Rivers should drop into ideal fishable levels
- Expect good flows with solid clarity
- Better conditions than low, clear openers we’ve seen in past years
This could set up for a fantastic opening weekend, especially for anglers targeting larger fish!
What to Fish for Opener
Early season success often comes down to a few key patterns:
Streamers
- Great for targeting larger, aggressive fish
- Fish bigger and faster if temps stay warm
- Downsize and slow down if conditions cool
Nymphs
- Reliable option in most conditions
- Effective in higher flows and colder water
- Worm Patterns
One of the most consistent producers on opener is worms! Make sure to have san juan worms, chewing gum worms, and squirmy worms!
If you’re hunting for big fish, don’t skip the worms.
Get Ready
While rivers may be out of commission right now, this is the perfect time to:
- Explore alternative fisheries
- Prep your gear
- Tie flies for opener
With improving conditions on the horizon, the next stretch of fishing is shaping up to be one of the best of the spring.
If you need help figuring out where to go or what to fish, get in touch, we’re always happy to help.
We’ll see you on the water and in the shop soon!
