Credit River Fishing Guide
One river, two completely different fisheries — migratory steelhead and salmon on the lower water, resident trout on the upper.
Steelhead, salmon and trout guided trips on the Credit
The Credit is the river most Southern Ontario anglers know, and the one most of them only half know. It is really two rivers with one name.
The lower river is big water. It runs to Lake Ontario and it takes a genuine run of migratory steelhead in spring and fall, and salmon in the fall. It is wide enough and deep enough to suit long centerpin drifts, a fly rod or spinning gear.
The upper river is nothing like it: small, clear, technical water holding resident brown, brook and rainbow trout, where the fish will see you before you see them if you walk in carelessly.
Booking the Credit means choosing which of those two days you want.
Steelhead and salmon water
Target: steelhead (spring, and fall through December 31) and salmon (fall, through November 15).
Methods: centerpin, fly and spin fishing.
Considerably larger than the upper river, and it receives migratory Lake Ontario fish. The scale is what makes it good: long runs you can actually trot a float down, and enough room to play a big fish without being in the trees.
It is the best water we have for a first steelhead trip, and it is where most centerpin lessons happen.
Resident trout water
Target: brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout — the fourth Saturday in April to October 1.
Methods: fly, spin and centerpin fishing.
Clear water, small-stream presentation and technical fishing. Short accurate casts, dry flies over pocket water, tight-line nymphing through the broken stuff, and small streamers.
Certain upper sections carry artificial-lure, single-barbless-hook and mandatory trout-release rules. The practical effect is wild, well-educated fish and water that stays worth fishing.
One river, two days
| Lower Credit | Upper Credit | |
|---|---|---|
| Target | Steelhead & salmon | Brown, brook & rainbow trout |
| Fish type | Migratory, from Lake Ontario | Resident |
| Methods | Centerpin, fly & spin | Fly, spin & centerpin |
| Water | Large, open runs | Small, clear, canopied |
| Season | Steelhead: March–May and fall to Dec 31 Salmon: fall to Nov 15 | 4th Saturday in April to Oct 1 |
| Best for | A first steelhead; learning centerpin | Technical fly fishing; a careful angler |
Open seasons, sanctuary stretches and special rules vary by river and by section, and they change. Always check the current Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary for the water you are fishing. On a guided day, Sasha picks water that is legally open and in shape for the conditions.
We do not publish specific pools, runs or access points. That is deliberate — the water Sasha relies on stays fishable because it is not broadcast. You will learn it on the river.
Credit River questions
Lower or upper Credit — which should I book?
Lower for steelhead in spring and fall, and salmon in the fall, on a float, a fly or spinning gear. Upper for resident brown, brook and rainbow trout from the fourth Saturday in April to October 1. They are different trips on different water.
Can we fish both in one day?
Usually not well. They are different fisheries with different tackle and different water, and a full day on one beats a rushed half on each. If you want to see both, book two trips.
How far is it from Toronto?
The Credit is the closest of our rivers to the GTA, which is a large part of why it gets fished so hard. Exact meeting points are arranged when you book.
Is the Credit catch and release?
We fish catch and release throughout. Certain upper-river sections additionally carry artificial-lure, single-barbless-hook and mandatory trout-release rules by regulation.
Book a Credit River trip
Say steelhead, salmon or trout and we will put you on the right part of the river.
Recent fish
