Ontario Summer Bass & Upcoming Trout Opportunities
Hey folks, Chris here with your fishing forecast for July 23rd. We’re heading into the end of July, and it’s been nothing short of a phenomenal summer so far. The good news? It looks like this fantastic weather—and great fishing—is here to stay.
If you’ve been focused on warm-water species like bass and carp, this weekend will be another great one. But trout anglers, don’t pack away your gear just yet—cooler weather next week could open up some excellent mid-summer trout fishing. Here’s what you need to know.
Trout Fishing Forecast – Grand River & Freestone Streams
The Grand River tailwater above Fergus has been a reliable trout fishery the past few weeks, but water temps are starting to creep up. The Credit River and other freestone rivers are also running a bit warm at the moment.
That said, don’t hang up your trout rods just yet! The long-term forecast shows cooler nighttime temperatures moving in late next week, especially around the Halton Hills and Caledon area. This could set up some fantastic mid-summer trout fishing opportunities on the Credit River and some other freestones (not the Grand River so much).
If you’re prepping your fly boxes for when things cool down, focus on these patterns:
Dry Flies
- Isos (Isonychia Mayflies) – Late-summer isos are common. A size 12–14 Adams does a great job imitating them.
- Caddisflies – Plenty of caddis are around all summer long.
- Terrestrials – Grasshoppers , beetles , ants , and crickets are key summer trout food. Opt for smaller hoppers (sizes 10–12) rather than big western-style patterns.
Nymphs
Natural, subtle presentations are best. Clear summer flows mean smaller, more natural nymphs will often outfish larger attractors.
Keep an eye on your stream thermometer and the weather forecast—next week could be prime for trout.
Bass & Warm-Water Bite
This weekend will be all about bass and carp, with warm, stable summer weather ahead. Topwater bass fishing has been excellent, and now’s the time to enjoy poppers and big water-moving flies.
Here are some of our top fly recommendations right now:
- PTO Poppers – Perfect for explosive topwater bass action.
- Rio Meat Sweats – A great option when you need to slow things down; an excellent crayfish or leech imitation.
- Fulling Mill Feather Changers – Big, bold, and perfect for covering water and triggering aggressive strikes.
This is also a great time for carp fishing on flats and shallow edges, so keep your carp flies handy if you’re exploring warm-water rivers and lakes.
So, here’s the plan:
✅ This weekend – Focus on bass and carp. Bring your poppers, crayfish patterns, and big-moving streamer-style flies.
✅ Next week – Start watching the forecast closely for a potential trout window as temperatures drop at night.
As always, if you need help choosing the right flies or want advice on where to fish in Southern Ontario this week, swing by Drift Outfitters & Fly Shop or give us a call!
Good luck out there, and enjoy these incredible summer fishing conditions!
