About Ontario Steelheaders

The Ontario Steelheaders, in its fifth decade, is a not-for-profit organization with dedicated volunteers pursuing the following objectives:

• • To provide young rainbow trout with suitable nursery and juvenile habitat
  • To provide relevant and appropriate input to government, agencies and other organizations consistent with our mandate.
  • To promote sportsmanship, fellowship, and etiquette consistent with the preservation of our natural resources.
  • To educate members and the public on relevant issues, conservation practices and proper angling techniques.

The Ontario Steelheaders is committed to working both independently and in partnership with local organizations, governments, resource networks, and various like-minded agencies in the pursuit of responsibly enhancing and protecting Steelhead fisheries in Ontario.

We have seen many changes since 1979, when the Ontario Steelheaders formed to improve the fishery on the Saugeen River, and more are planned for the future. The Ontario Steelheaders, in partnership with local organizations such as the Lake Huron Fishing Club, government and other agencies has had a profound positive effect on the Saugeen’s steelhead fishery. In an episode of his “Going Fishing” shows from 2009 Darryl Choronzey, an Ontario Steelheader and inductee into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, aimed the spotlight on the Saugeen River, and the impact on the Saugeen from the efforts of the Ontario Steelheaders and the Lake Huron Fishing Club.

You are strongly encouraged to watch Darryl’s video below which, does a wonderful job explaining the history and conservation efforts by the Ontario Steelheaders and its partners, resulting in the magnificent steelhead fishery on the Saugeen. This fishery simply would not exist today if not for the vision, dedication, hard work and the self financing by the Ontario Steelheaders and the Lake Huron Fishing Club. At 8:35 -11:26 of the video Darryl interviews Rod Jones about the history and goals of the Ontario Steelheaders and then at 12:10 – 16:30 he visits the Lake Huron Fishing Club hatchery in Kincardine where the process and release of fish is explained. Finally, keep in mind that the video was produced in 2009 and since then the Truax Dam has been removed and some fishways were improved, however the steelhead’s ability to reach prime headwater spawning beds is not optimal, especially the major impediment at the Maple Hill Dam at Hanover. Unfortunately, the MNR has decided to discontinue the transfer of adult fish upstream from Denny’s Dam.