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Ontario fishing guide

Atlantic Salmon

Atlantic Salmon fishing guide

Habitat, seasonal techniques & recorded Ontario lakes

Find lakes with Atlantic Salmon →

A restoration species in Lake Ontario's watershed, silvery at lake stage with an X-shaped spot pattern along its sides.

Fishing patterns describe when and how fish may feed, not when fishing is legally open. Check zone regulations and waterbody exceptions before you fish.

🌡️ Preferred water temp 10–16°C (50–61°F).
⏰ Best time to catch River runs in spring and fall; deep, cool water in the open lake during summer.

Atlantic Salmon habitat and preferred water temperature

Restoration waters: Lake Ontario tributaries and a few inland lakes; cold rivers' pools and runs.

Best time to catch Atlantic Salmon

River runs in spring and fall; deep, cool water in the open lake during summer.

Atlantic Salmon fishing techniques by season

Spring

Fresh-run fish in the lower rivers; swing streamers or drift small spoons.

Summer

Open-lake fish sit deep with the trout; inland populations feed at dawn.

Fall

The main river push — classic wet flies, streamers and small spinners.

Winter

Kelts and lake fish hold deep; largely left alone.

Best lures for Atlantic Salmon

Streamers and wet flies, small spoons and spinners; check special sanctuary sections.

Lakes with recorded Atlantic Salmon

A selection of larger named waterbodies from the survey records. Open a profile for lake details and regulations, or see its location on the map.

Open the map and filter by Atlantic Salmon to see every Ontario waterbody where it's been recorded, with depth, regulations and live conditions for each one.