Ontario Steelheaders

August 20, 2025August 20, 2025

Ontario Fish and Wildlife News

Follow this link to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources “Fish and Wildlife News”. The article provides fishing destinations in Ontario, updates on Ontario’s fish stocking program, reports on rainbow smelts and smallmouth bass in Lake Erie, alerts on invasive species ( “as responsible anglers and outdoor enthusiasts, we all have a role to play in stopping the spread. Cleaning and draining your gear and boat between outings are mandatory actions that can make a big difference in protecting our lakes and rivers. Learn more about how to clean, drain and dry your boat and equipment” ). It also provides hunting information regarding moose, deer (additional deer tags are now available online) and turkey tags.

August 20, 2025August 20, 2025

Great Lakes Basin Report August, 2025

Great Lakes Basin Report August, 2025

August Great Lakes Basin Report

Articles include:

August Great Lakes Basin Report

US House passes Great Lakes hatchery fish-tracking bill
Panfish, A Passion Forever: Early Success is Key to Getting Kids Excited about Fishing
DNR stocks 12 Indiana lakes with Striped, Hybrid Striped Bass
Watch out for commercial fishing nets in Michigan
Reclaiming Michigan streams
Walleye and saugeye successfully stocked across state
DNR Publishes 2024 Fish Stocking Summary
New record flathead catfish above 64 lbs
Cash in black carp for $100
Bipartisan bill wants walleye to be Ohio’s state
Republican AGs join gun rights groups’ suit to repeal NFA law

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 16, 2025June 12, 2025

Great Lakes Basin Report May, 2025

Great Lakes Basin Report May, 2025

May Great Lakes Basin Report

Articles include:

Get ready to go fishing
Noxious sea lampreys took advantage of Covid-19 pandemic
Early season walleyes on jigs
Province replacing Endangered Species Act
Safety must be the priority around cold water
Commission Lauds Trump Commitment to Asian Carp Prevention
Restoring Habitat for Great Lakes Fisheries on Salmon River
Scofflaw anglers to face big fines in 2025 fishing season, Manitoba says

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 9, 2025May 12, 2025

Results: 2025 Ontario Steelheaders Spring Derby

The Ontario Steelheaders Spring Derby was another great hit. It turned out to be a beautiful day on and off the river. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make the day a success, your support is greatly appreciated. Special thanks to Ken and Pete on the BBQ’s, Shelley Davidson and Brittany Doherty selling raffle tickets and thanks to all those who donated desserts and salads. Finally, a very special thank you to Chris Doherty, OS Derby Director, for his dedication and hard work to ensure a successful tournament.

May 1, 2025May 5, 2025

Catch & Release – Best Practices

If you decide to catch and release, please consider proper release to help fish survive after you have put them back in the water. Fish can be traumatized, weakened, or injured during the handling process.

Keep fish in the water as much as possible to minimize air exposure. Have long-nose pliers ready to back the hook out. Remove the hook quickly, keeping the fish underwater. If the fish is deeply hooked, cut the line and release the fish as quickly as possible. Avoid using stainless steel hooks as they take longer to corrode if left in the fish. Never place your fingers through gills or in the eyes and don’t hold fish by the jaw as this may damage the jaw and vertebrae. Dry hands and nylon nets can strip away the fish’s protective slime coat, making it more susceptible to infection. When holding a fish, support its body properly by placing one hand under the belly and the other hand gently on the tail, ensuring that you’re not squeezing too tightly.

After handling, it’s vital to revive the fish before releasing it back into the water. Gently hold the fish in clear water, facing upstream, to allow water to flow through its gills. If the fish seems lethargic or unresponsive, continue to hold it in the water until it begins to show signs of strength, like wiggling its tail or swimming away. Look for signs that the fish is ready to go such as a firm kick of the tail or swimming away vigorously. If the fish is still struggling, continue to support it in the water until it regains strength. Follow this link to a 2 minute video demonstrating how to properly release fish:

By following a few simple steps, you can help fish survive.

R – reduce reel-time with fish, land fish as soon as possible.
E – encourage the use of rubber nets and cradles.
L – liberally wet hands or cloth gloves before handling fish.
E – easy access to long-nose pliers and ready for use.
A – always use two hands to support fish.
S – stick to 60 seconds or less exposure time.
E – enable fish to recover in water before letting go.

May 1, 2025May 1, 2025

Annual Spring Derby – Saturday May 3, 2025

The Annual Spring Derby be at Denny’s Dam Park located on the Saugeen River this Saturday May 3, 2025. The derby starts at 7am and ends at 4pm sharp. Entry fee is $10 and ALL ARE WELCOME. All Ontario Fishing Regulations must be observed. Chris will be at the park Friday morning for early registration.

Following the derby there will be a BBQ, prizes presentation and raffles at the Rod Jones Pavilion. Overnight camping and day use at Denny’s Park is available for participants and their families. Membership applications will be available for those who want to join us in our efforts to enhance and protect Steelhead fisheries in Ontario. Merchandise such as hats, t-shirts, and jackets, will be available for purchase.

As always, salad and dessert donations are greatly appreciated.

May 1, 2025May 1, 2025

Lake Ontario – Special Report

Articles Include

Lake Ontario April prey fish survey results and Alewife assessment, 2024
Lake Ontario Fishing Boat Survey Summary 2024
Crews begin removal of Sea Lampreys to protect the $5.1 Billion Fishery
Study finds Noxious Sea Lampreys Took Advantage of Covid-19 Pandemic
Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Stocking Strategy 2022 – 2026

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:

April 14, 2025April 22, 2025

Great Lakes Basin Report April, 2025

Great Lakes Basin Report April, 2025

Articles include:

Know Your Bass: Largemouth, Smallmouth and spotted
Mike Harris new MNR minister, (Kitchener-Conestoga MPP, son of former Ontario Premier Mike Harris)
Oval Office Commitment to Asian Carp Prevention
Sea lamprey control program receives OK to rehire federal workers
Sturgeon Spawning Season is almost here
DNR set to kick off annual walleye egg collection on Muskegon River

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: