Toronto 
Photo Credit: TRCA
Early September to Late October (Early November) when temperatures are between 3°C to 18°C, Chinook Salmon, Atlantic Salmon, Pink Salmon and Coho Salmon migrate upstream from Ontario’s Great Lakes to lay their eggs in the shallows before winter settles in.
Here are few places to go within GTA, Hamilton and Collingwood to see the once silver-coloured fish, which is now almost black in colour, making the final trip of their lives.
When to go:
Whether you will be able to see salmon during your walk, is dependent on the salmon and the weather including rainfall, and temperature. The best time to visit is from mid-September to Thanksgiving weekend in October, though this will vary depending on weather conditions, especially in case of warmer weather.
You can observe the daily rate of migration at Credit River and Ganaraska River/Corbett’s dam, online, through the fish counter purchased by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry/Lake Ontario Management to support the Atlantic Salmon program.
Report Salmon Findings & Enter to Win a Prize:
In 2021, TRCA has launched a public participation program through which GTA residents can upload a photo or mention the place they saw salmon online for a chance to win a prize.
Etobicoke – Etienne Brulé Park (13 Crosby Avenue, Toronto)
Etienne Brulé Park (13 Crosby Avenue, Toronto) is a popular place to see the salmon run. Spot salmon making the metre-and-a-half jump (Old Mill dam) to get upstream to spawn in up the Humber River.
You can also see the Salmon making their way up the TRCA constructed fish ladder at Raymore Park Dam( 93 Raymore Dr, Etobicoke).
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Scarborough – Highland Creek (390 Morningside Avenue, Toronto) & Glen Rouge Campground (7450 Kingston Road, Toronto)
Walk from Morningside Park and follow Highland Creek. Follow the trail along Highland Creek from Morningside park to Colonel Danforth Park to Lower Highland Creek Park.
Toronto Region Conservation Authority holds a yearly “Highland Creek Salmon Festival” at Morningside Park (2021 TBA). During the festival, you can join for guided nature hikes to see the salmon running upstream as well as wildlife displays, live performances, environmental displays, local food, a farmer’s market and more!
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Another place to visit is the trail that leads from Rouge Urban Park Parking Lot at Glen Rouge Campground, 7450 Kingston Road, Scarborough. Park your car at the parking lot and follow the Mast Trail (trail details are at the parking lot). The trail follows/crosses Little Rouge Creek / River at some areas, where you might see salmon.
North York – Don River (701 Don Mills Road/1191 Lawrence Ave E, Toronto)
Head over to Charles Sauriol Conservation Area (1191 Lawrence Ave E) to spot some large Chinook salmon fighting their way upstream to spawn near the bridge crossing to the east side of the Don river.
Another great idea for an outing is to visit Evergreen Brickworks. On weekends, Evergreen Brickworks is the site of Farmers Market and artisan markets. The weekly community event features a series of special celebrations, such as the Sunday Performing Arts Series, and a rotating roster of local makers offering products from jams, jellies and spreads to locally-made clothing and unique hand-made jewellery, wood and leather goods.
After enjoying a day at the markets, walk along the Bayview Multi-Use lane towards Pottery Road Bridge where you might see salmon swimming up-stream.
2021 Salmon Walks
- Ravine Days – Salmon and Water: October 2, 2021
- Salmon Ravine Walk: October 6, 2021
Mississauga – Erindale Park (1695 Dundas Street West, Mississauga) & Riverwood Conservancy Trails (4300 Riverwood Park Ln, Mississauga)
See salmon making their way up Credit River as you hike the The Culham Trail.
You can also follow trails along Credit River from Riverwood Conservancy to Streetsville.
Riverwood Conservancy also holds many Salmon Run-related hikes and talks.
Hewick Meadows Park (Credit Point Dr) is another great location. Follow the trail north from the parking lot accessible from eastbound Eglinton Avenue east of Mississauga Road to the location of where two pedestrian bridges over the Credit River.
Oakville – Bronte Creek Provincial Park
See salmon making their way up Bronte Creek (Bronte Creek Trail/Half Moon Valley Trail) as the weather turns colder in October.
You may get to see Coho and Atlantic Salmon in addition to the most common Chinook Salmon.
Pickering – Duffins Creek (371 Whitevale Road, Pickering.)
See Chinook salmon making their way up on Duffins Creek.
A great venue is the Seaton Trail from Whitevale Park that meanders by the Whitevale Dam where you can see Salmon downstream from the dam.
The trail can be accessed from the south end of Whitevale Park or the northeast side of the Whitevale Bridge.
The Seaton Trail follows West Duffins Creek and stretches from Highway 7 in Green River through Whitevale, beneath the Taunton Road Bridge, and terminates at the 3rd Concession near Brock Road.
TRCA used to hold a Salmon Festival at Whitevale Park.
Greenwood Conservation Area trail (Ajax) along Duffins Creek is another great location to view the Salmon.
Bowmanville – Bowmanville Creek (35 Roenigk Drive, Bowmanville)
Bowmanville Creek fish ladder located along wheelchair-accessible trail Bowmanville Creek Trail (at 35 Roenigk Drive, Bowmanville) gives you another opportunity to see these awesome fish journey over the fish ladder.
Port Hope – Ganaraska River
Exit Hwy 401 at exit 464 and head to Jocelyn Street, turn right and follow it until you meet the Ganaraska River where you can experience the wonder of migration.
Ganaraska River that runs through Port Hope is one of the best places to watch silvery coho salmon and migratory brown trout jump up the fish ladder – Ganaraska River Fishway, which was constructed to help fish get past Corbett’s Dam (4 McKibbon St, Port Hope).
Fishing is prohibited on the Ganaraska River between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. from Aug. 15 to Sept. 30 from the Robertson Street Bridge to the Jocelyn Street Bridge.
Hamilton – Red Hill Creek
Chinook salmon from Lake Ontario swim up Red Hill Creek in Fall. So if you are following the creek (Red Hill Valley Recreational Trail) which flows from Albion Falls into Hamilton Harbour at Windermere through Kings Forest (Kings Forest Golf Course, Behind Rosedale Park), there is a high chance that you can see this Fall phenomenon.
Other options include trails along Grindstone Creek (RBG Trails) and Spencer Creek at Dundas (Cootes Paradise Neighbourhood).
Collingwood/The Blue Mountains – Silver Creek
See Chinook Salmon make its way up Silver Creek during Fall.
One of the best places to see this annual Fall migration is from the pedestrian bridge on the Georgian Trail, at Mountain Road and (best) at the bridge passing over Sideroad 12 at Osler Bluff Road.
Blue Mountain Watershed Trust usually hosts an annual See the Salmon Run festival (2021 Festival on September 25th) at 609830 Side Rd 12, The Blue Mountains where-in you can go on a self-guided nature hike through the woods along Silver Creek while exploring educational activities and engaging stations set up alongside the creek.
Other Places:
If you really want an in-depth experience and a wonderful “Salmon” themed Fall getaway, visit Owen Sound.
Salmon Run Themed Events & Festivals
609830 Side Rd 12, The Blue Mountains
September 25, 2021
$5 to $10
After a year’s hiatus, the Blue Mountain Watershed Trust’s See the Salmon Run event is back. The Collingwood/Town of Blue Mountains event is a ... »
GTA Watersheds
September 29, 2021 To October 29, 2021
Free
Join for the TRCA Salmon Festival starting September 29. This event brings together watershed residents from across the Greater Toronto Area to view the annual Salmon migration from ... »
Thomas Hauser Memorial Trailhead, Crothers Woods Trail, Toronto
October 2, 2021
Free
Join Don't Mess with the Don as we kickoff the city wide celebrations with our special brand of fun, fall outdoor activities. To commemorate the arrival of ... »
Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
October 6, 2021
Free
The fall is a busy and wondrous time as migratory species prepare for their long and challenging journey ahead to their destinations. Some species take flight and ... »
MacEwan Terrace Garden, 4150 Riverwood Park Lane, Mississauga
October 6, 2021
$5
Join Riverwood Conservancy to learn about the fascinating biology and history behind the annual salmon run on the Credit River. From Lake Ontario all the way up ... »
It is certainly a sight to behold…Can only experience it to believe it.
It’s an incredible sight! check out a small clip of the Old Mill dam (Humber river) Salmon run.
Or RY to rain on your parade, those ‘Pacific Salmon’ look like Brown Trout.