Credit River Fishing Guide
One river, two completely different fisheries — migratory steelhead on the lower water, wild resident trout on the upper.
Trout and steelhead guided trips on the Credit
The Credit is the river most Southern Ontario anglers know, and the one most of them only half know. It is really two rivers with one name.
The lower river is big water. It runs to Lake Ontario and it takes a genuine run of migratory steelhead in spring and fall. It is wide enough and deep enough to suit long centerpin drifts as well as a fly rod.
The upper river is nothing like it: small, clear, technical water holding resident brown, brook and rainbow trout, where the fish will see you before you see them if you walk in carelessly.
Booking the Credit means choosing which of those two days you want.
Steelhead water
Target: steelhead.
Methods: centerpin float fishing and fly fishing.
Considerably larger than the upper river, and it receives migratory Lake Ontario fish. The scale is what makes it good: long runs you can actually trot a float down, and enough room to play a big fish without being in the trees.
It is the best water we have for a first steelhead trip, and it is where most centerpin lessons happen.
Resident trout water
Target: brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout.
Methods: fly fishing.
Clear water, small-stream presentation and technical fishing. Short accurate casts, dry flies over pocket water, tight-line nymphing through the broken stuff, and small streamers.
Certain upper sections carry artificial-lure, single-barbless-hook and mandatory trout-release rules. The practical effect is wild, well-educated fish and water that stays worth fishing.
One river, two days
| Lower Credit | Upper Credit | |
|---|---|---|
| Target | Steelhead | Brown, brook & rainbow trout |
| Fish type | Migratory, from Lake Ontario | Resident |
| Methods | Centerpin & fly | Fly |
| Water | Large, open runs | Small, clear, canopied |
| Season | Spring and fall | Late April to September |
| Best for | A first steelhead; learning centerpin | Technical fly fishing; a careful angler |
Open seasons, sanctuary stretches and special rules vary by river and by section, and they change. Always check the current Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary for the water you are fishing. On a guided day, Sasha picks water that is legally open and in shape for the conditions.
We do not publish specific pools, runs or access points. That is deliberate — the water Sasha relies on stays fishable because it is not broadcast. You will learn it on the river.
Credit River questions
Lower or upper Credit — which should I book?
Lower for steelhead in spring and fall, on a float or a fly. Upper for resident brown, brook and rainbow trout on a fly between late April and September. They are different trips on different water.
Can we fish both in one day?
Usually not well. They are different fisheries with different tackle and different water, and a full day on one beats a rushed half on each. If you want to see both, book two trips.
How far is it from Toronto?
The Credit is the closest of our rivers to the GTA, which is a large part of why it gets fished so hard. Exact meeting points are arranged when you book.
Is the Credit catch and release?
We fish catch and release throughout. Certain upper-river sections additionally carry artificial-lure, single-barbless-hook and mandatory trout-release rules by regulation.
Book a Credit River trip
Say steelhead or trout and we will put you on the right part of the river.