Watching or fishing: Here’s how to help our salmon run the race of their lives

Who doesn’t love the fall? It’s a time of new beginnings, fresh mornings and the annual salmon migration. This time of year, these massive fish will push their way against the current of the Credit River to spawn and lay their eggs – and it all happens right here in Mississauga.

Each fall the annual salmon migration – or salmon run – happens in a few key Mississauga waters. As water temperatures start to cool and water levels deepen thanks to fall rains, freshwater salmon begin their yearly trek from the mouth of Lake Ontario up the Credit River.

If you’ve never witnessed this miracle of nature in person, or would like to, here’s some tips to follow our fishy residents this fall!

Where to go to watch the salmon

Across Mississauga, there are several great locations along the Credit River where you can easily view the salmon make their trek.

1. Erindale Park: The City’s largest park offers extensive trails through ravines and open spaces, giving you lots of chances to get up close to the Credit River.
2. Meadowvale Conservation Area: Located in the north part of the city, this natural oasis gives you a good opportunity to watch the migration from a pedestrian bridge overlooking the Credit River.
3. Riverwood: This 150-acre park and urban oasis includes accessible trails and great views. The Credit River flows through the park’s western border offering excellent spots to watch the salmon run.

Respect the process

While the salmon run can be incredible to watch, it can be perilous for the fish. Many of the salmon won’t survive the swim and the ones that do still have much work left to do to safely spawn or lay their eggs. Their journey can also be made more difficult by spectators trying to get a closer look.

Here’s how you can witness the salmon run while respecting the fish:

1. Watch from a safe distance: If you aren’t an angler, standing in the river or disrupting the water of the Credit can stress the fish out on their journey. The ample banks of the Credit have many spots to snag a great photo for your social media feed without showing the fish your feet up close!
2. Keep the creek clean: Watching the salmon work can work up an appetite. So if you are snacking while tracking the fish, keep your trash for the trash bin and not the creek or the park.
3. Enjoy the silence: We typically don’t like it when other people are being loud, disruptive or throwing things at us, so treat the fish the same. Watch quietly, respectfully and don’t abuse the salmon.

Tips for fishing the salmon run:

1. Know what you can keep and what needs to go free: Check the Ontario Fishing Regulations and know how you can fish where you fish.
2. Let the fish take the hook – don’t snag: Fishing is sport that takes skill, patience and respect for the fish—trying to snag a fish for any other purpose is not fishing and can hurt the salmon. Stay classy and fish the right way.
3. Be respectful of fellow anglers: The Credit River is 90 kilometers long and runs from Orangeville to Lake Ontario – that’s plenty of room to fish. Spread out and share the space with your fellow anglers and tread lightly in the water to not disrupt the salmon.
4. Respect the fish: Catching salmon is a privilege so treat the fish you catch with respect. Don’t abuse the fish and gently return them on their way.

Know what to look for

While you are out watching the salmon you’ll notice they don’t all look the same. That’s because there are three main types of salmon sharing the waterway.

1. Chinook salmon: This species migrate once they reach maturity (between three and seven years) and typically die after spawning is complete. Chinook can grow up to 100 centimetres in length.
2. Atlantic salmon: Unlike Chinook salmon, this smaller salmon species make their way back to Lake Ontario after their migration upstream. Atlantic salmon are native to Lake Ontario.
3. Coho salmon: While smaller than the Chinook, both species are native to the north Pacific Ocean and were introduced to the Great Lakes in the 1960’s. Coho can grow up to 75 centimetres in length.

In the spring, offspring from all three species hatch and swim downstream. They make their home in Lake Ontario until it’s their time to migrate.

(Photo: Credit Valley Conservation)

Don’t miss it!

Get ready! Salmon migration season is now underway. It peaks in early October and most fish have spawned by the end of the month depending on the weather.

(Photo: Credit Valley Conservation)

When you’re out and about, give salmon the best chance of survival by respecting their space. Make sure you are also aware of all recreational fishing rules and regulations that apply for the Credit River (Fisheries Management Zone 16) during this important migration season.

Watch videos of salmon in the Credit River or learn more about the Credit River Watershed by visiting the Credit Valley Conservation website at cvc.ca.

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• Parks and Forestry
• Things to Do