PORT HOPE – The Ontario government is creating a fish sanctuary to protect vulnerable salmon on the Ganaraska River in Port Hope during peak migration season.
The Ganaraska River is a unique waterway because salmon migration is slowed down by the Corbett Dam fishway. This creates a bottleneck of concentrated fish from Lake Ontario to the dam and leaves them little room to spread out or find cover.
Due to this geography, portions of the waterway will be closed to fishing from September 1, 2024 through October 14, 2024 to provide protection for salmon as they move through the area. Closures apply from the south side of the Jocelyn Street bridge to the CNR bridge, the first rail line north of Lake Ontario. Anglers are reminded that the Ganaraska River is closed to fishing all year from the 401 south to the Jocelyn Street bridge.
Following the peak migration season, from October 15 through December 31, there will be additional opportunities for anglers to catch a variety of trout and salmon species in this area, which is new this season.
For more information visit Fisheries Management Zone 17.