Early September to Late October (Early November), when temperatures are between 3°C to 18°C, Chinook Salmon, Atlantic Salmon, and Coho Salmon migrate upstream from Ontario’s Great Lakes to lay their eggs in the shallows before winter settles in.
Credit: To Do Canada
Here are a few places to go around GTA, Hamilton and Collingwood to see the once silver-coloured fish, which is now almost black, making the final trip of their lives.
When to go:
Whether you can see salmon during your walk depends on the salmon and the weather, including rainfall and temperature. The best time to visit is from mid-September to the Thanksgiving weekend in October, although this may vary depending on weather conditions, especially in the event 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.
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).
TRCA’s guided walk is on October 18.
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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 yearly Highland Creek guided walks to see the salmon running upstream at Morningside Park (on October 5).
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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 in some areas, where you might see salmon.
North York – Don River (701 Don Mills Road/1191 Lawrence Ave E, Toronto)
Head 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 the 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 upstream.
Mississauga – Etobicoke Creek Trail, Erindale Park (1695 Dundas Street West, Mississauga) & Riverwood Conservancy Trails (4300 Riverwood Park Ln, Mississauga)
See salmon making their way up Credit River or Etobicoke Creek as you hike the Culham Trail or Etobicoke Creek Trail.
You can also follow trails along Credit River from Riverwood Conservancy to Streetsville.
Riverwood Conservancy also holds Salmon Run-related hikes and talks.
Hewick Meadows Park (Credit Point Dr) is another great location. Follow the trail north from the parking lot, which is accessible from eastbound Eglinton Avenue east of Mississauga Road, to where two pedestrian bridges over the Credit River are located.
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 Duffins Creek.
A great venue is the Seaton Trail from Whitevale Park, which meanders by the Whitevale Dam, where you can see salmon swimming upstream.
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. TRCA is hosting a guided walk on 29th September.
Oshawa – Oshawa Creek Trail/ Joseph Kolodzie Oshawa Creek Bike Path
Use Oshawa Creek Trail/Joseph Kolodzie Oshawa Creek Bike Path and follow Oshwas creek from any of the parks which are located near the creek. If you are new, visit Children’s Arena (155 Arena St) and follow the trail from here. The Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens is another great location to see fall colours and follow the creek for a short walk.
Bowmanville – Bowmanville Creek (35 Roenigk Drive, Bowmanville)
Bowmanville Creek fish ladder is located along a 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
Port Hope Fish Ladder/ To Do Canada
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, which 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.
Fishing is prohibited on the Ganaraska River from September 1 to October 14, from the south side of the Jocelyn Street Bridge to the southerly limit of the CNR right-of-way.
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 (2025 Festival on September 27) at 11 Buist St, Nottawa, where you can go on a self-guided nature hike through the woods along Pretty River while exploring educational activities and engaging stations set up alongside the creek.
Other Places:
If you want an in-depth experience and a wonderful “Salmon” themed Fall getaway, visit Owen Sound.
View Comments (3)
Or RY to rain on your parade, those ‘Pacific Salmon’ look like Brown Trout.
It's an incredible sight! check out a small clip of the Old Mill dam (Humber river) Salmon run.
It is certainly a sight to behold...Can only experience it to believe it.