Steelhead

Steelhead have been present in the Credit River for nearly 100 years, however they only established a self sustaining population in small numbers around 1970. Prior to 1970 they were completely stopped from migrating up the river due to impassible dams. The largest of which was removed in 1940 in what is now Erindale Park.

Steelhead were stocked in large quantities from 1976 to 1988 (80,000 to 170,000 smolts per year) by the MNR. The run during this time was only 5% wild. The steelhead large runs were directly related to the stocking of the time. By 1980 some steelhead were reaching the good spawning water above Norval and had good success. However only fish that could jump past the Streetsville Dam could even reach Norval. The fish ladder the CRAA operates at the Streetsville was constructed in 1980 by the MNR. By 1985 the steelhead run was estimated to about 15,000 steelhead of which about 10% was wild. The MNR decreased stocking in 1989 to the present in significant numbers and are now stocking about 40,000 (20,000 to 60,000) steelhead per year into the Credit River. However, the steelhead run is now growing and is almost entirely wild due to CRAA's work. In 1992 the steelhead run was approaching 20% wild and was about 12,000 fish. In 1995 the run was only 8,000 fish but 68% wild. In 1997 the run was about 11,000 and it was a whopping 85% wild. The great news is juvenile counts for 1996 and 1997 are about five times higher than ever before. The result should be a lot more wild steelhead by the year 2000.

The steelhead run the Credit River from late August to late May with peak runs occurring between October 15th and December 15th and between March 1st and April 20th. The runs are always timed after heavy rains or spring snow melt. In the past the fall run was very small and fish did not enter the river until December, but with the huge increase in wild fish we have experienced runs as early as August 15th (in small numbers)

On a good spring day it is not uncommon to hit 5 to 10 fish per angler and on the best days some anglers have reported hitting over 50 steelhead each. However there are many other days when anglers will hook one or two, but all are quality fish. The fish range from 2 lbs to 20 lbs with most weighing between 5 and 12 lbs. The biggest steelhead ever lifted at the fish ladder is 19.9 lbs but there have been 20 lbs steelhead caught before. Most of the fishing is restricted to Erindale Park although there can be some excellent steelheading after the spring opener. At that time the entire river opens and there is virtually no fishing pressure.

The most common method of fishing is float fishing with roe, flies and sometimes worms. Fly-fishing is next in popularity and a few anglers fish with spinners. If your planning a trip and want the best action you should plan for the middle of March or early May. If you live fairly close the first four days following a heavy rain are usually very good.

Good luck and please release the steelhead so they may spawn and there will be more fish for the future!