Muddy York Ontario steelhead rivers 2026
Steelhead are Great Lakes rainbow trout that run up Ontario's rivers in fall and spring. Each river below has its run timing and an official, stretch-by-stretch calendar of what's open in fall, winter and spring.
Rivers with water open all winter
Fall and spring rivers
Steelhead bite on the drop
Fish move on rising water and bite as it drops and clears. Muddy York Fishing reads every river's flow, temperature and weather each morning so you know where to go.
Start your free 7-day trialFrequently asked
When is steelhead season in Ontario?
Steelhead run Ontario's Great Lakes tributaries in fall (October to December) and spring (March and April). Some lower stretches are open all year; most other water opens on the fourth Saturday in April.
Where can I fish for steelhead in winter in Ontario?
On stretches open all year, mostly the lower ends of Lake Ontario tributaries. Of the rivers below, these have water open in mid-winter: Credit River, Ganaraska River, Nottawasaga River, Bronte Creek, Sixteen Mile Creek, Duffins Creek, Wilmot Creek, Niagara River, Humber River, Rouge River and Bowmanville Creek.
What is a steelhead?
A rainbow trout that lives in the Great Lakes and runs up rivers to spawn, the same way a salmon does. Ontario's rules count steelhead as rainbow trout.
How to fish for steelhead in Ontario · Float fishing for steelhead · Fishing regulations by zone