Pat Galluzzo, Author at Ontario Steelheaders

June 20, 2026June 23, 2026

Great Lakes Basin Report June, 2026

Articles include:

Researchers worry about federal cuts to NOAA
Watch for orange flags and buoys when boating on the Great Lakes
Coast Guard launches new sail drones on Lake Erie
Ohio to restore sauger population in Maumee, Sandusky rivers
Great Lakes report card gives fair rating
Jigging for Summer Walleyes
Judge prevents Wisconsin tribe from restricting fishing on 20 lakes
FWS to survey Great Lakes tributaries to search for lampreys
Lake Huron Report (4 pages)

More inside…

The Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council is a confederation of organizations and individuals who share a concern for the present and future of sport fishing, our natural and stocked resources and the ecosystem of the Great Lakes.

The following links provide more information about what’s going on in the areas around the Great Lakes: Ontario, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York , Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

News letters are provided in PDF format and you must have a PDF Reader to view these files.

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Previous Reports:

May 20, 2026May 20, 2026

Important Notice Regarding e-Transfers

Hello everyone, for those of you wishing to make any type of payment to The Ontario Steelheaders by way of e-Transfer (such as your annual membership renewal), then please forward your payment to ontariosteelheaders25@gmail.com. Please do not send e-Transfers to ontariosteelheaders@gmail.com as that account is not set up to receive e-Transfers. Thank you.

May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

Trout Growth Chart

Trout don’t grow on a fixed schedule. Cold, clean water and a steady food supply drive everything.

Brook trout are the fastest out of the gate — showing color and form within the first few months — but they plateau early. A 5 or 6 year old brookie is a late-stage fish. Rainbow trout take longer to mature, hitting their stride around 2 to 3 years and running strong through year 7 or 8. Brown trout are the long game. They’re still developing at 4 to 6 years and don’t reach late age until 9 or 10.

That’s why a big brown feels different to catch — that fish has been working a piece of water for nearly a decade.

The common thread across all three: habitat quality determines growth rate. Cold, oxygenated water and consistent forage produce fish that reach their potential. Degrade the water or the food supply and growth stalls — sometimes permanently.

Handle them with care. The fish you release today is still growing.

May 14, 2026May 14, 2026

Great Lakes Basin Report May, 2026

Articles include:

Ohio urges Congress to renew Great Lakes funding before deadline
Canada announces end of Weatherradio Canada
Walleye tag reward study continues in the Bay of Green Bay
Trout, Lower Peninsula walleye and pike seasons now open
Lake Michigan Report (6 pages)

More inside…

News letters are provided in PDF format and you must have a PDF Reader to view these files.

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Previous Reports:

May 14, 2026May 15, 2026

2026 Spring Derby Results:

2026 Spring Derby Results:

I would like to extend a huge thank you to all our sponsors, participants, and volunteers. Without all of you, none of this would be possible.
Our sponsors this year were:
Angling Outfitters https://anglingoutfitters.net
Center Pin Angling https://www.centerpinangling.com
Cozy girlie https://www.instagram.com/cozygirlie95
Deb Zettler
Form and Build Supply https://formandbuild.com/
Iconic Truck Accessories https://iconicaccessories.com/
John McFarlane
Junction 4 & 19 https://www.facebook.com/junction419?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Lake Huron Fishing Club https://lakehuronfishingclub.com
Lambeth Rod &Tackle https://www.facebook.com/LambethRodandTackle/
Lenny & Krista Kohnert
Randy Pierce
Raven Tackle https://raventackle.com
Redwing Tackle https://redwingtackle.com/

The weather was a little chilly, but it did not slow down the amount of fish entered.
1st Place Dio McConkey 10.6 lbs
2nd Place Kirk Shelley 8.4 lbs
3rd Place Wes 8.14 lbs
Jr. Winner Dwayne Gilliard 8.6 lbs
Catch and Release Larry McConkey 28 ½”
Looking forward to seeing everyone Oct 12/26 for our Fall Derby.
Until then, stay safe.
Brian Z.

May 6, 2026May 7, 2026

2026 Spring Derby Results

Although the weather was a little chilly, we had a very good turnout and a lot of fish entered.

A huge thank to our generous sponsors this year: Raven Tackle, Redwing Tackle, Angling Outfitters, Center Pin Angling, Lambeth Tackle, Lake Huron Fishing Club, Iconic Truck Accessories, John McFarlane, Deb Zettler, Lenny & Krista Kohnert, Brittany Doherty, and Randy Pierce.

None of this would be possible without the the help of the many volunteers, thank you all.

2026 Spring Derby Winners:
1st Place                      Dio McConkey – 10.6 lbs
2nd Place                    Kirk – 8.4 lbs
3rd Place                     Wes – 8.14 lbs
Jr. Winner                  Dwayne Gilliard – 8.6 lbs
Catch and Release Larry McConkey – 28 ½”

Looking forward to seeing everyone October 12, 2026 for our Fall Derby. Until then, stay safe.

Brian Z.

April 28, 2026April 28, 2026

Ontario Steelheaders Annual Spring Steelhead Trout Derby – May 2, 2026

Hope your gear ready is ready to go! The Derby takes place this Saturday May 2, 2026.

Dinner will be served at Denny’s in the Rod Jones Pavilion, where the derby prizes and trophies will be awarded. Followed by prize table draws, as well as a 50/50 draw. Anyone wishing to donate prizes to the Derby please contact Chris Doherty at Denny’s Park, or at (519) 239-3790. ALL PRIZE DONATIONS ARE WELCOME!

The Entry fee is $10 and Brian Zettler (Tournament Director) will be at the park Friday morning for early registration. Juniors under 16 years old are free. Everyone is welcome! Overnight camping and day use at Denny’s Park is available for participants and their families. Membership applications are available at the Derby.

Cash prizes and trophies are awarded in three categories: 1. the largest rainbow trout (1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd), 2. Largest live trout release upon authentication of length and girth measurements and 3. a junior category for largest rainbow trout.

April 23, 2026April 28, 2026

Great Lakes Basin Report April, 2026

Articles include:

Thousands of Atlantic salmon released into Irondequoit Creek
U.S. House approves bill to protect lead ammo, tackle
Wisconsin’s general fishing season opens May 2; new regulations in effect
Lake Erie daily limits announced for 2026 fishing season
Berkley reinvents the inline spinner with the Dough Rider
Michigan introduces new fishing regulations for 2026 season
The Ten Protocols of Fish Handling
Underwater vehicle is in Lake Erie collecting data
Ojibwe Spring Fishing Season starting soon
Here’s how to Protect Lake Sturgeon while Fishing
2nd Amendment issues:

More inside…

News letters are provided in PDF format and you must have a PDF Reader to view these files.

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