Saugeen River Steelhead Spring Release
Al Wilkens wanted to say a few words to the Ontario Steelheaders:
As Manager of the Lake Huron Fishing Club’s Kincardine Trout Hatchery I want to express my sincere appreciation to all the Ontario Steelheaders who gave up a major portion of “opening day” weekend to move the rainbows out of the Kincardine and Port Elgin fish hatcheries. Your enthusiasm and professionalism ensured that all of our releases went smoothly and all fish were delivered to their new homes safely and in good health. Without the help of the Ontario Steelheaders we would be taking a week or more to release all our fish rather than the day and 1/2 that it took this year. I don’t have the final numbers from Port Elgin yet but from Kincardine you helped move 18 loads of fish that totaled 56,324 fish weighing a total of 4,761 pounds. Not bad for a day’s work! Thanks!
Al Wilkens
Lake Huron Fishing Club
Spring Saugeen Steelhead Transfer Complete
The Ontario Steelheads in cooperation with Lake Huron Fishing Club has completed a another mobile transfer of adult steelhead trout up river. The transfer is conducted with custom aquariums on wheels and travel over 50 miles upriver, aiding the steelhead (rainbow trout) overcome many of the obstacles such as the 20+ dams on the Saugeen River. The fish were really moving over the past week, one thousand adults steelhead rainbow trout averaging 10-15lbs each were lifted at Denny’s Dam and transported in 3.5 days!
The Saugeen River Steelhead transfer program has come to a close and we will not be transferring fish. It is undetermined if the program will be re-implemented in the future. The hard work and resources poured into this program by the hard working volunteers of the LHFC and Ontario Steelheaders is remarkable to say the least. Thank you to everyone involved.








Friends of the Saugeen: Update
Here is the latest newsletter from the newly formed conservation efforts, Friends of the Saugeen:
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2016 Annual Spring Steelhead Derby

April 30, 2016, the Ontario Steelheaders is hosting the annual spring steelhead trout derby at the Denny’s Dam Park located on the Saugeen River. Please join us for a great day of fishing, social event for members, families and friends who love to catch steelhead trout. Prizes are awarded for largest steelhead rainbow trout, important information updates and a cozy campfire afterwards. It’s will be a fun day spent fishing with family and friends.
Derby Details
Cost: $10 per adult (juniors are free)Prizes are awarded for:
Derby Start Time: 7AM
Derby End Time: 5PM
- Heaviest Steelhead Trout (1st, 2nd and 3rd places)
- Juniors (Under age 16)
- Live Trout Release (Derby director verifies length, girth and weight)
After the Derby
A huge feast is served at the Rod Jones Pavilion in Denny’s Dam Park with a ceremony, prizes, raffle and more. Overnight camping and day use at Denny’s Dam Park is available for participants and their families. Membership applications are also accepted at the ceremonies. Consider supporting the Ontario Steelheaders by grabbing some merchandise like t-shirts, hats, jackets and more. They make great gifts for family, friends and even yourself.
Here is what you can expect after the derby comes to a close at 5PM:- Large Potluck Dinner
- Awards
- Club Updates
- Guest Speakers
- Draw Prizes
- Winner Ceremony
- Prize Awards To Top Placing Entrants
- Campfire and Overnight Camping
More Information
If you need more information, check out the Denny’s Dam Park page for directions, map and other camping and parking information. You can also contact Scott Redin, if you would like to donate prizes or need more detailed information.
King of the Drift Spring Tourny a Success
The King of the Drift tournament took place this past weekend. Lots of fish lost, sunburn and above average temperatures. Tom Barry from Hamilton took first place this year. From the proceeds, King of the drift donated a whopping 5126.00 to the Ontario Steelheaders for this event which will surely help power up our efforts on the Saugeen River. We want to extend the utmost gratitude to KOTD and welcome the event back in the fall.
We also want to take a minute and extend a special shout out to Ben Lam, Mike Snow and all volunteers and participants who made this a successful event. Watch for KOTD coming again this fall.
King of the Drift: Call for Volunteers
The next King of the Drift is set for Saturday April 16, 2016. The coordinators are looking for volunteers to help with the event. These guys have stepped up and given continuous support and donations to the Ontario Steelheaders. FOr more information on how you can be involved, please contact Ben Lam (226) 978-5775 or Mike Snow (647) 654-1414.
30K Steelhead Rainbow Trout Sorted and Clipped
On Saturday, Feb 20, 30k Saugeen River bound steelhead rainbow trout were sorted and clipped in the Kincardine hatchery set for release in the Saugeen River later this year. President Karl Redin wants to acknowledge and thank all of the Ontario Steelheaders volunteers who came out this past Saturday to clip our yearling rainbows in the LHFC hatchery. They even set a new record for clipping of 30K rainbow yearlings in one day!
Its an uphill battle for us to sustain the Saugeen River steelhead rainbow trout fishery so its important we continue sustain programs and volunteers. I think we can all agree on the fact we all need to volunteer a bit more if we want the fishery to continue to exist. With climate change, politics and other obstacles its going to be a struggle. The entire steelhead population could collapse in a decade if stocking efforts are not sustained. Imagine our next generation may be catching the odd rainbow trout in an entire season.
I likely speak for all of the anglers who come and go from the Saugeen River with stories to tell, we greatly appreciate the effort these men and women who show dedication to ensure we have Saugeen steelhead year after year into the future.