Best Salmon Rivers In Ontario: Guide Secrets

A client holding a large Great Lakes Salmon
One of my clients holding a large Great Lakes Salmon he caught on his fly rod. We hooked over 20, and saw about 300 swim past us.

Ontario is home to many excellent salmon fishing rivers, offering a mix of Chinook, Coho, Atlantic, and very rare Pink salmon. I’ve been fishing for salmon for 40 years and guiding the river for them for over 20 years.

Here are some of the best rivers for salmon fishing in Ontario:

Before you fish any of these rivers be sure to check the fishing regulations. Some rivers have large extended seasons, others are closed on October 1st.

And, before you go fish any of these rivers, make sure you know how to fish for salmon, otherwise you are probably just wasting your time.


1. Credit River (Lake Ontario Tributary)

  • Location: Flows through Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon.
  • Salmon: Chinook, Coho, and Atlantic salmon.
  • Best Time: Late August to October.
  • Why it’s Great: The Credit River has consistent salmon runs, especially near the mouth where it meets Lake Ontario. There’s also a healthy population of migratory rainbow trout (steelhead).
  • Hotspots: Streetsville area and Erindale Park.

2. Ganaraska River (Port Hope)

  • Location: Flows into Lake Ontario at Port Hope.
  • Salmon: Chinook and Coho salmon, with occasional Atlantic salmon.
  • Best Time: Mid-September to mid-October.
  • Why it’s Great: The Ganaraska River is famous for its large Chinook salmon runs, particularly around the fish ladder in Port Hope.
  • Hotspots: Below the fish ladder near the downtown Port Hope area.

3. Saugeen River (Lake Huron Tributary)

  • Location: Flows through Bruce County and empties into Lake Huron.
  • Salmon: Chinook, Coho, and Pink salmon.
  • Best Time: August to October.
  • Why it’s Great: Known for its large salmon runs and plenty of access points. Also popular for steelhead fishing in spring.
  • Hotspots: Southampton, Denny’s Dam area, and Walkerton.

4. Nottawasaga River (Lake Huron/Georgian Bay Tributary)

  • Location: Flows into Nottawasaga Bay near Wasaga Beach.
  • Salmon: Chinook, Coho salmon are very rare.
  • Best Time: Late August to October.
  • Why it’s Great: Offers great migratory fishing opportunities with easy access along its banks. Steelhead and brown trout also show up during the fall.
  • Hotspots: Edenvale Conservation Area and downstream toward the mouth at Wasaga Beach.

5. Humber River (Toronto Area)

  • Location: Flows through Toronto and drains into Lake Ontario.
  • Salmon: Chinook and Coho salmon, occasional Atlantic salmon.
  • Best Time: September to October.
  • Why it’s Great: Accessible fishing locations right in the city of Toronto, making it ideal for urban anglers. Steelhead and other species also migrate here in large numbers.
  • Hotspots: Near the Old Mill and Lambton Golf Club.

6. Bighead River (Meaford)

  • Location: Flows into Georgian Bay at Meaford.
  • Salmon: Chinook salmon.
  • Best Time: September to October.
  • Why it’s Great: Known for its consistent Chinook runs and scenic surroundings. The river also sees steelhead and brown trout runs in the fall.
  • Hotspots: Near the mouth in Meaford and upstream near Highway 26.

7. Maitland River (Lake Huron Tributary)

  • Location: Flows into Lake Huron at Goderich.
  • Salmon: Chinook salmon.
  • Best Time: Late August through October.
  • Why it’s Great: Small salmon runs and quiet stretches of river make it a good spot anglers seeking big Chinooks.
  • Hotspots: Goderich harbor and the nearby riffles and pools.

8. Duffins Creek (Ajax/Pickering)

  • Location: Flows into Lake Ontario near Pickering.
  • Salmon: Chinook and Coho salmon, with some Atlantic salmon.
  • Best Time: September through October.
  • Why it’s Great: This creek offers surprisingly good fishing close to urban areas. Popular for shore fishing as salmon push upstream in the fall.
  • Hotspots: Near the mouth and along the Duffins Creek Trail.

9. Don River (Toronto)

  • Location: Runs through Toronto and empties into Lake Ontario.
  • Salmon: Chinook and Coho salmon, Atlantic salmon are rare.
  • Best Time: Late September through early November.
  • Why it’s Great: Though more known for its urban surroundings, the Don River experiences small runs in certain sections and offers easy access for city anglers.
  • Hotspots: Lower Don Valley near the mouth.

10. St Mary’s River

  • Location: Flows from Lake Superior Lake Huron.
  • Salmon: Chinook, Coho salmon, Atlantic Salmon, Pink Salmon.
  • Best Time: July through October.
  • Why: This is the best northern salmon river in Ontario, and likely the best Atlantic Salmon fishery in Ontario and the Great lakes. It gets good runs of Chinook salmon.
  • Hotspots: The entire river, especially near the rapids. Good near the mouth, casting lures and bait works..

Tips for Success:

  • Best Time of Day: Early mornings and late evenings tend to produce the best results.
  • Popular Techniques: Casting spoons, using roe bags, drift fishing, and fly fishing are common.
  • Licenses: Ensure you have a valid Ontario fishing license and adhere to local regulations.

Which of these rivers have you explored already?

Also, be sure you check out my articles:


12. Beaver River (Thornbury)

  • Location: Flows into Georgian Bay near Thornbury.
  • Salmon: Chinook salmon.
  • Best Time: September through October.
  • Why it’s Great: The Beaver River is known for good Chinook salmon fishing and fall steelhead opportunities. Thornbury Fish Ladder is a popular spot to see salmon jumping.
  • Hotspots: Thornbury Fishway and nearby downstream pools.

13. Bronte Creek (Oakville/Burlington)

  • Location: Flows into Lake Ontario at Oakville.
  • Salmon: Chinook and Coho salmon.
  • Best Time: September to October.
  • Why it’s Great: Bronte Creek offers urban anglers easy access to great salmon runs, especially near its mouth at Bronte Harbour and through Bronte Provincial park. Salmon can access the river up to the waterfalls in Loweville.
  • Hotspots: Bronte Harbour and the mouth of the creek, lower 5 km are good. Upper sections get to shallow and narrow.

14. Nine Mile River (Lake Huron)

  • Location: Flows into Lake Huron near Port Albert.
  • Salmon: Chinook and Coho salmon.
  • Best Time: Late August to October.
  • Why it’s Great: A smaller but productive river with some salmon and trout runs. It’s popular for its quiet and accessible fishing locations.
  • Hotspots: Near the mouth at Port Albert and upstream access points.

15. ColdWater River and Sturgeon River (Georgian Bay Tributary)

  • Location: Flows into Georgian Bay near Wasaga Beach and Severn Sound.
  • Salmon: Chinook salmon.
  • Best Time: Late August through October.
  • Why it’s Great: These are smaller quieter alternatives to more popular rivers, offering peaceful surroundings and a small run of salmon. It’s definitely not the place to go for big numbers.
  • Hotspots: Near the river mouths and lower tributary areas.

16. Sydenham River

In the town of Owen Sound, it gets a good run of chinook that can make it up to the falls.

The best spots are below the dam in town.


17. Oshawa Creek (Durham Region)

  • Location: Flows into Lake Ontario at Oshawa.
  • Salmon: Chinook, Coho, and Atlantic salmon.
  • Best Time: September to October.
  • Why it’s Great: A productive urban fishing destination with easy access to migrating salmon and steelhead in the fall.
  • Hotspots: Near Lakeview Park and further upstream access points.

18. Pine River

  • Location: Flows into Nottawasaga River and then into Lake Huron
  • Salmon: Chinook
  • Best Time: August through September.
  • Why it’s Great: Offers large Chinook runs and quieter, scenic fishing compared to some of the larger rivers. Lots of private property.
  • Hotspots: Near the mouth and upstream towards Ripley.

19. Wilmot Creek

This river is just east of Toronto and it gets a large run of Chinook salmon, some coho, and some Atlantic salmon.

Due to its cold water, some salmon will start running as early as late July, with peak runs in September.

The best water is found in the lower part of the river.


20. Bowmanville Creek

Located in Bowmanville, this little creek get fairly large numbers of Chinook, some coho, and some Atlantic salmon.

The best fishing is in the lower half of the river below the dam.

Expect crowds, unless you hike up the river and look for more secluded water.


21. Niagara River

This might be the overall best salmon river on Lake Ontario and possibly in all of Ontario. It gets massive runs of chinook, some coho, and some atlantics but it is a very large river so it can be difficult fishing for anglers used to fishing smaller rivers.

The world pool access is popular and so is the areas of Lewiston.

It’s very good for boat anglers.


22. White River (Lake Superior Tributary)

  • Location: Flows into Lake Superior near Marathon.
  • Salmon: Coho and Pink salmon.
  • Best Time: September to October.
  • Why it’s Great: Famous for its remote fishing spots, it offers a chance at trophy Coho salmon along with other species like brook trout.
  • Hotspots: Near the river mouth and upstream rapids.

23. Port Dalhousie

Close to Niagara, there is a unique fishery near the mouth for chinook salmon in the spring and fall.

There is always plenty of current in the river, but anglers also do well casting and trolling lures at the lake.


24. Batchawana River (Lake Superior)

  • Location: North of Sault Ste. Marie, flows into Lake Superior.
  • Salmon: Pink and Coho salmon.
  • Best Time: September to October.
  • Why it’s Great: Known for its scenic fishing spots and productive fall runs. Pink salmon runs are especially common here.
  • Hotspots: Near the river mouth and upstream near the highway crossings.

25. Mad River (Creemore/Georgian Bay Area)

  • Location: Flows into the Nottawasaga River.
  • Salmon: Chinook salmon.
  • Best Time: Late August through October.
  • Why it’s Great: A smaller tributary that feeds into the Nottawasaga system, making it a productive location during fall runs.
  • Hotspots: Near Creemore and its confluence with the Nottawasaga River.


26. Sauble River

The Sauble River flowing into Lake Huron at Sauble Beach gets a small run of chinook salmon.

The best fishing is below Sauble fall in the lower river.


27. McIntyre River (Thunder Bay)

  • Location: Flows into Lake Superior at Thunder Bay.
  • Salmon: Coho and Pink salmon.
  • Best Time: Late August through October.
  • Why it’s Great: Known for its strong Coho runs, it’s a favorite among northern anglers who also enjoy excellent steelhead and brook trout action.
  • Hotspots: Near Confederation College and river access points in Thunder Bay.

28. Nipigon River (Lake Superior)

  • Location: Near Nipigon, flowing into Lake Superior.
  • Salmon: Coho and Pink salmon.
  • Best Time: September to October.
  • Why it’s Great: Renowned for its giant brook trout, this river also experiences solid salmon migrations. Fly anglers flock here for epic fishing.
  • Hotspots: Near Nipigon Bay and upstream sections.

29. Kaministiquia River (Thunder Bay)

  • Location: Flows into Lake Superior at Thunder Bay.
  • Salmon: Chinook, Coho, and Pink salmon.
  • Best Time: Late August to October.
  • Why it’s Great: A large, productive river with access to salmon, steelhead, and large lake trout. Several tributaries also enhance the fishing experience.
  • Hotspots: Mission Island and surrounding tributaries.

30. Goulais River (Sault Ste. Marie Area)

  • Location: Flows into Lake Superior.
  • Salmon: Pink, Chinook, and Coho salmon.
  • Best Time: September to October.
  • Why it’s Great: Known for its Pink salmon runs, this river also sees Chinook and Coho migrations. Its remoteness offers excellent fishing without crowds.
  • Hotspots: Near the river mouth and further upstream sections.

31. Pigeon River (Fort William Historical Park Area)

  • Location: Flows into Lake Superior near the U.S. border.
  • Salmon: Coho and Pink salmon.
  • Best Time: September through October.
  • Why it’s Great: Straddling the Canada-U.S. border, the Pigeon River is ideal for anglers looking for a quiet, scenic destination with excellent salmon fishing.
  • Hotspots: Near the border and accessible stretches of the river.

32. Pic River (Marathon Area)

  • Location: Flows into Lake Superior near Marathon.
  • Salmon: Coho and Pink salmon.
  • Best Time: Late August through October.
  • Why it’s Great: Known for its strong Coho runs and access to trophy fish. It also offers good steelhead and brook trout fishing.
  • Hotspots: Near Marathon and its river mouth.

33. Agawa River (Lake Superior Provincial Park)

  • Location: Flows into Lake Superior within the park.
  • Salmon: Coho and Pink salmon.
  • Best Time: September through October.
  • Why it’s Great: Surrounded by the beauty of Lake Superior Provincial Park, the Agawa River provides incredible fishing opportunities for those seeking adventure.
  • Hotspots: Near the river mouth and scenic upstream pools.

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