Muddy York Fishing spots in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines
The lower Niagara River below the falls, through the Whirlpool and Devil's Hole, is a big-water fishery for steelhead, brown trout and lake trout. Twelve Mile Creek in the Short Hills near St. Catharines is a quiet, cold trout stream by contrast.
The Niagara River below the falls is in Fisheries Management Zone 20; inland creeks are in Zone 16.
Rivers near Niagara Falls and St. Catharines
Distances are straight-line from central Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Each guide shows what's there, when it's open and today's season status.
Twelve Mile Creek St. Catharines / Short Hills cold reach · 8 km
A cold, spring-fed creek with brook and brown trout in the Short Hills near St. Catharines.
Niagara River Lower: Whirlpool / Devil's Hole drifts · 9 km
Big-water drifts for steelhead, brown trout and lake trout below the falls, in Fisheries Management Zone 20.
Bronte Creek Lower: Oakville to the lake · 54 km
Oakville's salmon and steelhead creek. Open all year below Lakeshore Road, to December 31 up to Highway 407.
Sixteen Mile Creek Lower: Oakville to the lake · 58 km
Salmon and steelhead in downtown Oakville. Open all year below Lakeshore Road, to December 31 up to Highway 407.
Humber River Lower: Old Mill to the mouth (Toronto) · 65 km
Toronto's salmon run at Old Mill. The Humber is open all year for trout and salmon below Eglinton Avenue.
Grand River Lower: Caledonia to Lake Erie (Dunnville) · 66 km
Lake Erie steelhead and lake-run browns from Caledonia to Dunnville, open to December 31 below Paris.
Credit River Lower: mouth to Streetsville · 68 km
Chinook and steelhead in Mississauga. Open all year below Highway 403; Highway 403 to Britannia Rd closes August 15.
Salmon run near Niagara Falls and St. Catharines
- Humber River salmon run at Old Mill
- Credit River salmon run in Mississauga: Erindale and Port Credit
- Oakville salmon run on Sixteen Mile Creek
Stop guessing which river to fish near Niagara Falls and St. Catharines
Muddy York Fishing ranks every river near you each morning from live conditions, shows whether it's open, and tells you what to tie on.
Start your free 7-day trialFishing near Niagara Falls and St. Catharines through the year
Spring (March to May): spring steelhead in the lower Niagara River, Bronte Creek and Sixteen Mile Creek. Trout season opens on most inland stretches on the fourth Saturday in April.
Summer (June to August): the cold water on the Twelve Mile Creek and Niagara River holds trout through the heat. Fish early and late, and stop when the water passes about 20°C.
Fall (September to November): the Chinook salmon run on the Bronte Creek, Sixteen Mile Creek and Humber River peaks from mid September to mid October, with steelhead following into November.
Winter (December to February): the stretches that are open all year hold steelhead in the slow, deep pools. Mild days after a thaw are best.
Fishing near Niagara Falls and St. Catharines: good to know
- Rules change by stretch, often at a road or bridge. Check the official season before you cast.
- Fish only where access is public or permitted, and respect posted private land.
- Trout and salmon struggle in warm water. In summer heat, fish early or rest them.
Frequently asked
Where can I go fishing in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines?
The closest rivers we cover are the Twelve Mile Creek (8 km), the Niagara River (9 km) and the Bronte Creek (54 km). Each guide lists public access and the official season for every stretch.
What fish can I catch near Niagara Falls and St. Catharines?
Brook trout, Brown trout, Steelhead, Lake trout, Chinook salmon, Brown trout (lake-run) and Atlantic salmon (restoration), depending on the river and the season.
Where can I see the salmon run near Niagara Falls and St. Catharines?
Humber River salmon run at Old Mill, Credit River salmon run in Mississauga: Erindale and Port Credit and Oakville salmon run on Sixteen Mile Creek. The run peaks in September.
What fishing zone is Niagara Falls and St. Catharines in?
The Niagara River below the falls is in Fisheries Management Zone 20; inland creeks are in Zone 16.
Do I need a licence to fish here?
Yes, most anglers need an Outdoors Card and a valid Ontario fishing licence. Ontario residents under 18 or 65 and over have different rules; check the official licensing page.
All river guides → · Ontario fishing regulations by zone → · Ontario salmon run →