Muddy York Beaver River fishing: spots, water level and conditions
The Beaver River holds Steelhead, Chinook salmon, Brown trout, Brook trout and Rainbow trout from Thornbury, Clarksburg, Kimberley and Eugenia. This page has today's water level and flow, the season on each section, where you can fish, and the flies that work.
Beaver River water level and flow today
Lower: Thornbury below the dam/fishway
Loading the latest reading from the Water Survey of Canada…
Upper: Kimberley to below Eugenia
Loading the latest reading from the Water Survey of Canada…
Beaver River fishing spots
The Beaver River changes character along its length, and so do the rules. Here are the public places on each section we cover:
Lower: Thornbury below the dam/fishway
Georgian Bay steelhead and salmon below the Thornbury Dam, open to December 31.
- Public access: Thornbury dam fishway and Thornbury harbour
- Fish: Steelhead and Chinook salmon
Lower: Thornbury below the dam/fishway: seasons, tactics and spots →
Upper: Kimberley to below Eugenia
Brook, brown and rainbow trout in the Beaver Valley. Season is the fourth Saturday in April to September 30.
- Public access: Eugenia Falls Conservation Area and Kimberley
- Fish: Brown trout, Brook trout and Rainbow trout
Upper: Kimberley to below Eugenia: seasons, tactics and spots →
Park in public lots, follow posted signs and never cross private land without permission. Muddy York Fishing members get parking and walk-in routes for each section, and we never publish anyone's private spots.
Know which Beaver River section to fish tomorrow
Muddy York Fishing scores every section each morning from water temperature, flow and weather, tells you if it's open, and picks the fly.
Try it free for 7 daysBeaver River water temperature
Water temperature decides where trout and salmon hold and how hard they feed. Ontario's river gauges report level and flow, but very few report temperature, so Muddy York Fishing estimates the Beaver River's water temperature every morning from live air temperature, recent weather and the river's flow. Members can add a thermometer reading when they log a trip, which keeps the estimate honest.
| Water temp | What the fish do |
|---|---|
| Below 4°C | Slow. Fish deep, slow pools at midday with small flies. |
| 4 to 10°C | Cool. Steelhead and browns feed, mostly near the bottom. |
| 10 to 18°C | Prime. Trout feed actively; hatches and dries come into play. |
| 18 to 20°C | Warm. Fish early, play fish fast, keep them in the water. |
| Above 20°C | Too warm. Trout are stressed; leave them be or find colder water. |
Fly fishing the Beaver River
- Steelhead: egg patterns (Nuke Eggs, Sucker Spawn), stonefly and Pheasant Tail nymphs, and Woolly Buggers or Intruder style streamers.
- Chinook salmon: large, bright streamers and egg patterns swung slowly through holding pools.
- Brown trout: Pheasant Tail and Hare's Ear nymphs, Elk Hair Caddis and mayfly dries, and sculpin or Woolly Bugger streamers at dawn and dusk.
- Brook trout: small Adams and Elk Hair Caddis dries, beadhead nymphs and tiny streamers.
- Rainbow trout: Pheasant Tail and Hare's Ear nymphs, Elk Hair Caddis and Adams dries.
On spinning gear: steelhead, roe bags or soft beads under a float, plus small spinners and spoons in stained water; chinook salmon, spoons, plugs and rattle baits, which trigger strikes from territorial fish; brown trout, small inline spinners and minnow imitating plugs cast tight to cover. Hook and bait rules vary by stretch.
Best months on the Beaver River
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steelhead | ◐ | ◐ | ● | ● | ◐ | ○ | ◐ | ● | ◐ | |||
| Chinook salmon | ◐ | ● | ◐ | |||||||||
| Brown trout | ○ | ○ | ◐ | ● | ● | ● | ◐ | ◐ | ● | ● | ◐ | ○ |
| Brook trout | ◐ | ● | ● | ◐ | ◐ | ● | ||||||
| Rainbow trout | ○ | ○ | ◐ | ● | ● | ◐ | ◐ | ◐ | ● | ● | ◐ | ○ |
● peak · ◐ good · ○ fair. When the fish are active, not the legal season.
Beaver River seasons by section
Ontario sets the season stretch by stretch, so the Beaver River can be open in one place and closed a few kilometres away. From the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary:
- Lower: Thornbury below the dam/fishway: Rainbow trout: open from fourth Saturday in April to December 31 (extended fall season); Pacific salmon: open from fourth Saturday in April to December 31 (extended fall season).
- Upper: Kimberley to below Eugenia: Brown trout: fourth Saturday in April to September 30; Brook trout: fourth Saturday in April to September 30; Rainbow trout: fourth Saturday in April to September 30.
Each section page lists every stretch, its limits and any sanctuaries, with links to the official wording.
Before you fish the Beaver River
- Carry your Outdoors Card and fishing licence.
- Check which section you'll fish and its season above. Rules often change at a bridge, dam or road.
- Look at the level and flow at the top of this page. After heavy rain the Beaver River can rise fast and be dangerous to wade.
- Above about 20°C water, trout and salmon struggle. Fish early, or rest them.
- Pack out everything you bring, including line and bait containers.
The Grey Sauble Conservation manages the Beaver River watershed and posts flood and safety messages at greysauble.on.ca.
Frequently asked
Where are the best fishing spots on the Beaver River?
Lower: Thornbury below the dam/fishway: Thornbury dam fishway and Thornbury harbour. Upper: Kimberley to below Eugenia: Eugenia Falls Conservation Area and Kimberley. Fish only where access is public, and check the stretch rules first.
What is the Beaver River water level today?
The live readings on this page come from Water Survey of Canada gauges on the Beaver River itself, one for each section. A rising level means fresh water and moving fish; the drop and clear a day or two later is usually the best fishing.
What is the water temperature of the Beaver River?
It changes by the day and by stretch. Muddy York Fishing estimates it every morning from live air temperature, weather and flow. Trout feed best between about 10 and 18°C and struggle above 20°C.
Can you fly fish the Beaver River?
Yes. The Beaver River is a well-known fly fishing river for steelhead, chinook salmon and brown trout. Gear and bait rules differ by stretch, so check the section pages.
Is the Beaver River open for fishing?
Each section has its own official season. The status chips on this page are checked against the Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary twice a day.
Fish the Beaver River on the right day
Live conditions, the official season for your stretch and today's fly, for 30+ Southern Ontario rivers.
Start your free 7-day trial