If you haven’t been out fishing yet this season, now is the time to change that! Steelhead fishing across southern Ontario is in full swing, and current conditions are setting up for another excellent weekend on the water.
While many anglers wait for the traditional April opener, there is actually plenty of water open year-round, and fishing has been very productive over the past week. If you’ve been holding off, you could be missing some of the best opportunities of the season.
Spring Steelhead: A Unique Window of Opportunity
One of the reasons spring fishing is so productive is the sheer number of fish in the system. Right now, rivers are holding a mix of:
- Fresh run steelhead entering from the Great Lakes
- Overwintered fish that have been in the system since fall
This overlap creates a window where fish numbers are high and activity levels are strong. As snowmelt continues, rising water levels act just like rainfall, triggering additional fish to push into the rivers.
Recent reports from systems like the Credit River and several Lake Ontario tributaries have been excellent, and that trend is expected to continue into the coming week.
Weather & River Conditions This Weekend
Looking ahead, a round of rain (approximately 5–10 mm) is expected to move through tomorrow. While this may temporarily add some colour to the water, it’s unlikely to significantly disrupt fishing conditions too much.
Most rivers, especially Lake Ontario tributaries, should recover quickly and be in great shape for the weekend. Some larger northern systems may run high, but overall conditions remain very favourable.
Even better, the forecast is calling for mild temperatures, reaching around 6–8°C, making for a comfortable and highly fishable weekend, especially on Sunday.
Best Techniques for Spring Steelhead
Success this time of year often comes down to adjusting your approach based on water temperature and clarity.
Swinging Flies
Focus on fishing low and slow:
- Use heavier sink tips or intermediate heads
- Fish methodically with slower swings
- Productive patterns include black, blue, and marabou or rabbit strip flies
Nymphing & Centerpinning
This remains one of the most consistent approaches:
- Egg patterns are a staple
- Drift presentations naturally through holding water
- Adjust size and color based on clarity
In Stained or Higher Water:
- Bright, larger egg patterns
- Pink worms
- Egg-sucking leeches
- Larger, darker profiles for visibility
- Smaller, more natural eggs (peach, yellow sucker spawn)
- Stonefly nymphs (don’t be afraid to go big)
- Woolly buggers in olive, white, or black
As always, matching water clarity is key: go bigger and brighter in dirty water, and smaller and subtler as things clear.
Don’t Wait for Opener
It’s worth repeating, if you’re waiting for the traditional opener, you’re missing out. There is a significant amount of water open to fishing right now, and conditions are lining up for some of the best steelhead action of the season.
Take advantage of this window while fish numbers are high and rivers are in great shape.
If you’re unsure where to fish or what’s currently open, feel free to reach out or stop by the shop, we’re happy to help you get dialled in!
We’ll see you on the river.
