Fishing The Humber River Ontario: A Guides Persepctive
The Humber River in Ontario was once a major Atlantic Salmon river, but now most people fishing the Humber River see it as a good steelhead and chinook salmon fishery. There is also decent brook trout and brown trout fishing in the upper sections of the river.
Although it does get large runs of salmon, most salmon are Chinook salmon with very few Atlantic salmon running up the river.
The upper river boasts wild brook trout populations, along with some brown trout.
In this article, I will some of my favorite sections of this river and some guide tactics I use to help my clients catch more trout, steelhead, and salmon.
Fishing The Upper Humber River
Located just 15 minutes east of Orangeville, the river originates in its headwaters as a small spring-fed creek averaging 5 to 8 feet wide.
This section north of Oragenville to the town of Bolton has decent trout fishing. From the town of Palgrave upriver, there are plenty of brook trout but many anglers will struggle due to the tightly wooded cover.
The river winds its way eastward, towards the town of Bolton, where the river warms too much for trout.
Access to the upper sections above Bolton is generally pretty good, with multiple entry points found above the town of Bolton and below Palgrave.
However, anglers should tread carefully, as the riverbed is dotted with sinkholes. These soft clay patches, often concealed beneath gravel, can quickly become a hazard.
Many anglers avoid the river after encounters with these sinkholes since it can be scary getting stuck in them.
I know people who have had to call the fire department to help them get unstuck.
On a typical day, I can identify numerous sinkholes in just a few hours by looking for telltale signs.
For safety, I advise my clients to be vigilant while wading. If you feel the riverbed suddenly softening beneath your feet, check for a light grey or whitish cloud around your boots— The white cloudy mud is a sign you’re near a sinkhole, and when you see this backtrack and find a safer route.
Staying too long in or near one of these clay sinkholes can leave you stuck up to your thighs—or worse—in a matter of seconds.
The section of the Humber between Highway 9 and Bolton offers opportunities to catch wild and stocked brown trout, as well as the occasional brook trout and Atlantic salmon.
While this stretch was once known for its stocked brown trout, changes implemented by the OMNR replaced these with Atlantic salmon.
This shift, coupled with angler harvests, has made brown trout fishing increasingly challenging.
Over the last few years, the OMNR has been stocking some brook trout too. These stockings take place upriver of Bolton.
I strongly encourage anglers to practice catch-and-release fishing to help rebuild the trout population.
A catch-and-release-only section, similar to those on the Upper Credit River or the Grand River, could significantly enhance this fishery’s potential. Contacting the OMNR or the Toronto Conservation Authority to push for this change could turn the Humber into a thriving trout river within close proximity to Toronto.
I prefer to fly fish in the upper section for trout. You will find decent mayfly, caddis, and stonefly hatches. I catch most of the large trout on nymphs and streamers but during a hatch, large brown trout will rise for a well-presented dry fly.
Guide Tip: The water is very clear and the brown trout are very skittish. Stay behind the trout and tread lightly.
Spin fishing with lures or bait is an option. Most of the river and its pools are 1 to 3 feet deep so short casts and short drifts are normal.
Temperature: During the summer, especially later in the day, water temps can get above 68 Celsius, and when that happens the trout will stop biting.
When this happens I will out sections upriver for colder water and go home. After the first heat wave in June, the best fishing occurs before 10 am, and the last hour before dark.
Be sure to check out my pages on fly fishing, float fishing, and best flies for many of my most effective flies and methods.
As of this day, the Humber River trout sections open to fishing on the 4th Saturday in April and is Closed on October 1st. Be sure to double-check the fishing regulations.
Opening day or opening week can be busy but can also be the best time of the year to fish.
Fishing The Lower Humber River
The Humber eventually flows into Lake Ontario, only a short distance from downtown Toronto.
This stretch of water is a prime spot for fly fishing and float fishing for Steelhead, large migratory brown trout, and salmon.
If you are looking for the best fishing around Toronto, when the steelhead and salmon are on the river, this is it!!
The lower Humber River averages around 50 feet wide, with bigger long pools averaging 3 to 6 feet deep, and are perfect for fishing steelhead and salmon.
The lower river also gets occasional lake-run brown trout exceeding 10 pounds.
Fly fishing, float fishing, and spin fishing with lures are all good.
My most effective baits are:
- Pink Worm
- Roe Sacs – Color and size depend on water clarity
- Flies – Woolly bugger, stonefly, prince nymph, egg patterns
- 8mm Beads
Humber River Fishing Access: While the lower river flows through heavily developed areas, it still offers good access and an extended fishing season and anglers can fish just about all of the river.
The Old Mill Park and dam is a good spot for fishing and for viewing salmon and steelhead jumping the notched-out weir/dam.
There are some crowded sections, especially around the old mill park, but for those willing to explore and wander away from crowds, you may find lots of fish all to yourself.
The lower river has a huge extended fishing season allowing anglers to fish until December 31st or year-round. Be sure to check the regulations before heading out.
The Humber can get very low and clear and almost void of fish in the lower sections, so the runs and the quality of fishing often depend on recent rains. I discuss run timing on my page When To Fish, Timing The Runs.
If you’re comfortable fishing amidst urban noise and cityscapes, you’ll find productive waters in the lower 5 km.
The river’s mouth also offers limited opportunities to target bass, pike, and carp.
Additionally, a few smaller tributaries of the Humber hold trout.
The East Humber River, in particular, has been stocked with steelhead and can be worth exploring once the season opens.
Tight Lines
GB
