When does pike season open in Toronto?

Thankful for the comments left after my last post, I now know that pike season is actually closed until the second Saturday in May. I was under the false impression that pike fishing is open year-round from the lake up to highway 2 - this is NOT true. These great comments lead me to review the 2011 regulations on the Ministry of  Natural Resources website - something that I should have done, just to be certain. It turns out that pike is open in the spring but closes on March 31st for a short window. The season reopens this year on May 14th and remains open until the last day of the year (Saturday, December 31st).

So if you are wondering when pike season is open in Toronto, now you know. I will not have the opportunity to do any pike fishing this year as I am only days away from leaving Canada for an adventure across Central and South America. Naturally, I will be walking with my rods and I will be updating this blog with all of the amazing adventure fishing opportunities that I find.

Thanks again for the comments.

Scarborough Bluffs (Toronto) Fishing Update - The Fish Are In

Scarborough Bluffs at sundown - a think fog creeps in 

Tonight I went down to the Scarborough Bluffs with my faithful fly-rod and a handful of clouser minnows. A thick fog crept across the marina creating an eerie atmosphere characteristic of the opening scene of a low-budget slasher flick. Although I had anticipated that it would be a bit colder near the water, I didn't expect the winter-esk temperature that greeted me. Nothing was going to stop me from taking a few casts - not even the return of old man winter. 

I headed to one of my usual spots near the bridge. A 2-pound pike followed my chartreuse clouser to shore, watching intently but not committing to an attack.  After ten casts I was forced to put down the rod to rescue what was left of my frozen fingers. For the next hour, I would take three casts then put my hands into my pockets for three minutes of warmth - it was frigid. 

With no luck from the shoreline, I headed to the bridge to see if I could spot any fish swimming down below. Although it was quite dark, I was still able to spot a beautiful brown trout and a stealthy 4-lb pike swim pass in the moving current. With the light quickly fading, I was no longer able to see my fly in the water. My florescent green floating line suddenly began to disappear from the surface, followed by a sharp solitary tug. And just like that - I lost it. The 8-lb florocarbon leader was severed with the precision of a butcher's cleaver. My fingers could no longer function to perform a complexed task like tying on a new fly. My brief fishing session was over but left with the knowledge that THE FISH ARE IN. If you can handle the current cold temperatures, it is worth heading down for some urban fishing at the Scarborough Bluffs. 

Scarborough Bluffs Fishing Update - Is it time to fish?

Thinking of going to fish at the Scarborough Bluffs? Great idea - but you may want to give Mother Nature another week or two to work her magic. I took a quick trip down to the marina this morning to gauge when I will be able to get a line in the water.

A thin sheet of ice at the Scarborough Bluffs

Good news - The ice is thawing and constant crackling noises can be heard while standing near the shoreline. Below the bridge near the entrance of the Bluffers Park Yacht Club is a popular spot for spring and fall trout fishing. Luckily this happens to be the spot where most of the melting is occurring. On both sides of the bridge there is about 60-100 feet of water where you can cast or set a floating line. I didn't see any fish running under the bridge but one thing I have learned is that you never know what to expect when fishing at the Bluffs. Since I am severely 'allergic' to the cold, I will wait for the next wave of warm weather before heading down with my fly-rod. Although most people go to the Bluffs for trout in the spring, many toothy northern pike troll the shorelines looking for an easy meal. Last year I had a lot of luck using clouser minnow flies.

Don't know where to fish at the Scarborough Bluffs? Read this post and click on the map to see four great spots. READ POST

Scarborough Bluffs Fishing - Salmon, Trout, Lures, and more

I raced home from work this afternoon so that I could make it to the Bluffs in time to take a few casts. My main mission was to see if the salmon and trout had entered the marina. Well in short, 'they are in'. Splashes  are coming from the water but I couldn't tell if they were from salmon or trout (way too dark).  As mentioned in my earlier posts, these fish come into the marina every year before leaving to spawn. They put on quite a spectacular circus act with their highflying leaps out of the water. This usually lasts for about a month then fishing at the bluffs is pretty much over until the spring (the water freezes over). Already the regular fall fishermen are flocking to the shores of the marina trying to land one of these Lake Ontario giants.

Tonight's sunset at the Scarborough Bluffs

A few people have been searching for tips on the type of bait, lures and rods used to fish for salmon and trout at the Bluffs. I have seen just about everything being used but from my personal experience, I would advise using a longer rod (8' to 10' feet) if you plan on using your spinning reel. A long rod can be used to cast spoons and inline spinners further than with the conventional 6'6 rod. Most of the fish troll along the deeper channel where boats pass, so you will need to pitch your lure further to get where the fish are stacking. A long rod is your best bet for this. Heavier spoons like the "Little Cleo" 3/8 ounce can be launched pretty far from shore. After dark you will notice flashing lights going off all around the marina. Anglers use glow-in-the dark lures (particularly spoons) that they charge with a camera flash. The lures will glow for about 2 casts then they need to be flashed again for the glow to return.

Of course you can also try drift fishing with roe bags or pink plastic worms.  I have personally had more success using inline spinners (Mepps & Blue Fox Vibrax #3). This year I will be walking with my fly rod to experiment with a different technique. Earlier this year I was able to catch quite a few pike and bass using Chartreuse Clouser Minnows. As a matter of fact tonight I landed a decent sized perch on the fly. I know...perch don't count!

Hopefully this had helped you to decide what lure/bait to walk with when you head down to the Bluffs. If you have advice that you would like to share with readers, please leave a comment. I will be giving a weekly update on the fishing at the Bluffs so be sure to check back.

Until the next time.

Tight lines and good luck,

Joel  (fishtalker)

Where to fish at the Scarborough Bluffs - Salmon and Trout

I have noticed that many people are interested in fishing at the Scarborough Bluffs (Bluffer’s Park) but have no idea where to fish. You many have heard rumors that you can fish for salmon and trout at the Bluffs. Well the rumors are true. Salmon and trout enter the marina in the fall (October-November) for about a month before they leave to spawn in the rivers that run into Lake Ontario. There are no exact dates when they arrive and leave so it is up to you to head down to the park to see when they are in. Most people tend to fish with spoons and a spinning rod, drift roe bags/minnows, or float fish with marshmallows. Typically I fish with inline spinners like a #3 Vibrax from Blue Fox or a Mepps Aguila. What I can say is that no one method is necessarily better than the other. Some people are better at drifting while others are superstars with casting a William’s Wobbler. My advice is to try whatever you are accustomed to fishing with.

This year I will be experimenting with my new Sage fly-rod that I purchased from Wilson’s Fly Fishing Shop on Queen Street. I have started to tie my own flies and I am sure that I will have some success once I figure out what patterns the trout and salmon are taking. My only challenge will be finding enough space once the regular anglers flock to the shores when the fish show up.

So the question is “where to fish at the Scarborough Bluffs?” I have included a map of the marina and four spots that you can try this fall. All I ask is that you respect other anglers if they are already fishing in these spots when you arrive. There is nothing more frustrating to an angler than having other anglers casting their lures right where they were fishing first. It is an unwritten rule to give anglers their space and try another spot if a spot is already being fished.

CLICK HERE for a detailed map with 4 fishing spots


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Shore Fishing at the Scarborough Bluffs

Bluff

n. A steep headland, promontory, riverbank, or cliff.

Word origin - 1680s, from Dutch blaf “flat, broad," apparently a North Sea nautical term for ships with flat vertical bows, later extended to landscape features (taken from dictionary.com)

When doing internet research for places to fish close to Toronto, you may read about a place called ‘The Bluffs’. The Bluffs is actually the short name used by locals when referring to The Scarborough Bluffs, located on the shores of Lake Ontario. The landscape was said to resemble the limestone cliffs of Britain’s first seaside resort town (Scarborough, North Yorkshire) and consequently inspired the name given to the city in 1796.

Bluffers Park Marina at about 8am

Bluffer’s Park is located at the southern end of Brimley Road where it twists, turns and descends steeply to meet Lake Ontario (drive with caution). The park first opened in 1975 to answer residents’ call for more public open spaces and improved access to the lake. Among other things, the park offers scenic lookout points, a supervised beach (July and August only), public restrooms, and a public boat launch facility for recreational boaters and sailors. Families, young couples and outdoor enthusiasts flock to the park on summer afternoons to escape the hustle and bustle of Scarborough’s city streets. Paid parking is usually enforced from June to September so walk with some extra coins or a credit card to avoid being ticketed.

The Fishing:

Fall: The marina receives most of its fishing pressure from September to November when trout and salmon come into the marina for a short stay before making their way to nearby rivers to begin spawning. Anglers use many techniques but float fishing roe bags and pitching spoons like Wilson Wobblers are most commonly used. I have had a lot of success using inline spinners like the Vibrax Blue Fox (#3 or #4) and the Mepps Aguila.

Winter: The water in the marina freezes over so shore fishing is just about impossible unless we experience an unusually warm winter that extends the fishing season.

Spring: Right after the ice thaws in the spring many massive Northern Pike make their way into the marina to spawn and feed. If you already fish for pike you know that they eat just about anything in sight and are less picky eaters than other species of fish. They also tend to feed during sunny periods when bass and other fish run for cover under the shade of heavily weeded areas. Your chance of catching bigger pike is best in the spring before they return into the deeper waters when temperatures rise. They will hit your lure quite close to the shoreline where they troll up and down scooping up smaller less fortunate fish.

Northern Pike - Caught in July on a Lucky Strike soft-plastic frog

Safely released after his picture was taken

Summer: In July and August smallmouth and largemouth bass make their way into the marina. Remember these are Lake Ontario bass so there is always a chance to catch your personal record when you least expect it. The bass tend to be more finicky and will often chase your lure to shore without taking it. Don’t lose hope. As an angler it is your job to figure out what they are really feeding on.

When all else fails...try a Mepps