Happy October! With cooler temperatures, shorter days, and fresh rain in recent weeks, fall fishing is in full swing across Ontario. Salmon are still running strong, bass and musky are on the feed, trout opportunities abound, and best of all, steelhead season is officially underway!
Here’s what to expect on the water this week and how to make the most of the fall bite.
Steelhead: Early Runs in Ontario Rivers
October marks the kickoff of Ontario’s steelhead season , and we’re already seeing fish show up. Early reports have confirmed fish entering eastern rivers, often mixed in with salmon. Look for them in tailouts and pools, where they feed aggressively on drifting eggs.
The Saugeen, Beaver, and Nottawasaga rivers are all starting to see steelhead, thanks to their cooler flows. Conditions are mostly low and clear, so adjust your approach accordingly. Dropping down to 4X tippet and fishing small egg patterns or natural nymphs is a surefire way to catch fish. Swinging sculpin-style streamers on light sink tips will be your best bet to get fish on the swing. It’s still early days, but the numbers will only grow from here!
Salmon: Peak Action Continues
Salmon remain thick in rivers across Ontario, with more staging in the lakes and waiting to run. This means we still have several weeks of great salmon fishing ahead.
Proven patterns include:
- Egg patterns
- Egg-sucking leeches
- Baitfish imitations
Trout: Don’t Overlook Fall Opportunities
While many anglers shift focus to salmon and steelhead, October offers excellent trout fishing!
- The Grand River (Middle Stretch): From Paris to Brantford, (consult regulations for exact start and stop points) the season remains open until December 31. Expect resident browns and rainbows, and the bonus chance at a steelhead!
- Zone 15: Year-round trout fishing for brown, rainbow, and splake in both lakes and rivers. Stocked rivers and lakes extend the action well into late fall.
Bass & Musky: Fall Feed Bag is On
Don’t sleep on warmwater species,bass and musky are feeding heavily before freeze-up. Look for healthy green weed beds, deeper water edges, and rock/wood structure once weeds die back.
What to Throw:
- Larger baitfish patterns
- Poppers
- Oversized flies that match aggressive fall feeding
With fall colours setting in and fewer boats on northern lakes, it’s an ideal time to chase these predators!
From steelhead entering Ontario rivers to peak salmon runs and aggressive bass and musky, early October offers some of the best multi-species fishing of the year. Don’t overlook trout either, resident fish and extended-season opportunities make for excellent days on the water.
Need tips on where to go or what to throw? Get in touch with us at the shop, we’re always happy to help. See you on the water!
