Best Spots to Witness the Salmon Run in the Toronto Region

Even in the Toronto area, there are several locations where one can observe the salmon run.

Blue Mountain Watershed, The Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountain Watershed in northern Toronto will be hosting a salmon run celebration on Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will focus on Silver Creek and the return of chinook salmon to their spawning grounds. Visitors can embark on a 20-minute self-guided nature walk along the creek and watch the salmon swimming upstream. Conservation experts will be present to provide additional information about fish spawning and their habitats. Children who attend will receive fish passports, which can be stamped at various locations in the area. For those who prefer cycling, a map is available for a 25-kilometre tour encompassing roads and trails, including areas where salmon can be sighted.

TRCA Adventures of Salmon, Scarborough

A free family event celebrating the salmon run is set for Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Morningside Park in Scarborough. Hosted by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), visitors can enjoy interactive and educational booths that explore various aspects of salmon life, including migration phases, species, and the TRCA’s efforts to support salmon populations. Guests are encouraged to take a self-guided tour along Highland Creek Trail to spot salmon making their way upstream for spawning.

TRCA is also organizing salmon run events at Etobicoke Creek on Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Duffins Creek in Ajax on Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to noon, and on Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Toronto’s Raymore Park. Another salmon run event is scheduled for Oct. 19 at Morningside Park, taking place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and then from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Riverwood Conservatory, Mississauga

Join The Riverwood Conservatory in Mississauga for a guided tour of the salmon run on Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Salmon travel upstream from Lake Ontario to the Credit River, offering visitors a chance to observe the fish up close. The tour will be held in Erindale Park, where there are no natural waterfalls or man-made dams. Please note that the salmon do not leap out of the water as often depicted in videos. Visitors can borrow polarized glasses during the tour to enhance their viewing experience. The tour involves over a kilometre of walking on uneven pathways, and only service animals are allowed.

Self-Guided Tours

For those seeking their own lookout spot to witness the salmon run, TRCA provides an interactive map online that highlights prime locations for watching the salmon run. With the map, enthusiasts can identify spots where salmon navigate obstacles such as barriers or fish ladders, offering better opportunities for capturing photos of jumping salmon.