Toronto 
The Salmon run is a marvellous natural phenomenon when salmon migrate back to their natal location for end-of-life spawning.
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Cool fall temperatures usually see scores of Chinook, Coho and Atlantic salmon and trout fighting their way up rivers and streams on their annual spawning run.
If you want to experience salmon run in GTA or other parts of Southern Ontario, there are many places including Collingwood and Toronto’s parks where you can see this wonder of nature.
To see a larger-scale salmon run in Ontario, plan a fall day trip to Port Hope to see salmon and trout scurrying up Ganaraska River.
Though the actual timing and number of salmon migrants are largely dependent on weather, including rainfall and temperature, you can see annual salmon migration in the rivers along the north shore of Lake Ontario from late August to late October (best to visit mid-September).
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Salmon Run Hike Along Ganaraska River:
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If you are driving to Port Hope, set your GPS to Port Hope downtown (eg: 56 Queen St, Port Hope).
Parking is free on weekends, and you will find plenty downtown.
Begin your salmon run experience with a leisurely walk from Port Hope Rotary Park. Cross the bridge over the Ganaraska River and follow the Ganaraska Hiking Trail upstream (against the flow of the water).
The river will be on your left side.
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On your walk, you will see plenty of fish fighting their way up the Ganaraska River rapids, evading two-legged predators.
Continue your hike past downtown and the rapids to reach Barrett St.
Until here, the trail is paved.
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From this point on, you will be hiking the 1.5 km Patricia Lawson/Jack Goering trail which will follow the river with a slight detour via Bird’s Island Park.
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Remember to wear closed-toed shoes as the trail can be quite muddy in certain areas, especially after rains.
Along the way, there are many opportunities to get down to the river to fish or watch the migration along the way.
This section of the hike ends at the Molson Street bridge.
Port Hope Fish Ladder/ Credit: To Do Canada
Turn left and follow Molson St to Cavan St to reach the Port Hope Fish Ladder to see salmon and migratory brown trout jump up the fish ladder (the smallest waterfall) – Ganaraska River Fishway, which was constructed to help fish get past Corbett’s Dam.
Port Hope Fish Ladder/ Credit: To Do Canada
Port Hope Fish Ladder/ Credit: To Do Canada
Return the way you came or follow the trail along Cavan St with Ganaraska River on your left via Cavan St Park with its small outdoor gym.
There are various viewpoints and trails down to the river you can follow on your hike back.
Follow the river (river on your left) until you reach Rotary Park completing your salmon run hike.
You can, of course, drive straight to Port Hope Fish Ladder (2 McKibbon St, Port Hope) to see fish jump up the waterfall, but the experience is enhanced if you walk part of the trail and see fish swim and jump up the many shallow rapids downtown.
If you have difficulty walking the entire length (~5 km return from the Rotary Park), you can walk a section (or all) of downtown paths along the Ganaraska River, avoiding Patricia Lawson/Jack Goering trail and then driving to the fish ladder:
- Rotary Park to Walton St Bridge
- Walton St Bridge to Ontario Street Bridge
- Ontario Street bridge to Barrett St bridge.
Though the paved path from Rotary Park to Barrett Street bridge is not entirely accessible, as there are a few steps along the way, there are multiple accessible viewing areas with short accessible paved paths.
What else to do on your day trip:
If you like to explore the pretty downtown, visit the Visitor Information Centre at 20 Queen St for advice or explore on your own.
If you are visiting on a Saturday, there is a farmers’ market in the morning, highlighting local producers and artisans. If you like antique shops, check out Thrill of the Find.
There are various options for a bite, including Olympus Burgers (55 Mill St S) or you can cool down with a cold one at Ganaraska Brewing (33 Mill St S).
Complete your trip with a Historic Downtown Walking Tour and come back in spring to Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny.
Visited Madaraska Fish Ladder on Oct 4, 2025 and it was spectacular. We’ve seen hundreds of massive salmon. They were jumping up the smaller waterfall at about a rate of couple of jumps per minute. We stayed there from 9-10:30am. So worth the trip from Toronto.