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Fishway News

As we all witnessed, spring came early to Grey & Bruce Counties, bringing with it some fabulous runs of rainbows. Unfortunately shortly after, we experienced very low water conditions occurring much earlier than ‘normal’. Low flows left many fish stranded throughout the landscape with the combined effect of significantly less nursery habitat available to the year class of 2012.

On the brighter side, in early June MNR Fish & Wildlife Technician Dustin Veenhof placed Temperature loggers at 4 different locations on the Beatty Saugeen (Concession 12, 14 + 16 and below the dam at Orchardville). Loggers record and store temperature readings every hour.

Maple Hill Fishway
On average, temperatures remained below 20C, while on a couple of occasions the temperature did creep up to 25 or 26C. Rainbow trout temperature range is 12-20C, with 26C being fatal. Some rainbows can locate refuge in deep pools, cold tributaries or springs somewhere in the river during the hottest days. This is typical for a lot of local cold/cool water systems, and although it may not be perfect, it is still possible for them to thrive in this river system. Fish can still survive ‘out of temperature’ for a period of time but development, size and weight is directly affected.

For the most part these temperatures suggest the main Beatty Saugeen River is suitable for brown trout and even better for rainbows. Remember this in the context of one very hot summer with very low flows, these results are very encouraging! As with all fish species, environmental factors play a huge roll in annual recruitment.

The Good:

Low water levels also allowed the completion of phase 2 of Maple Hill fishway. Although rainbows did navigate this fishway in the spring, recent improvements should increase effectiveness. The current stop logs allow for adjustment of water heights through-out the fishway. Once observations are complete and fine tuning occurs, concrete will replace hemlock stop logs.

MNR is still on course for the placement of temporary cameras on the Walkerton and Maple Hill fishways to monitor next spring’s migration.

Early indicators suggest more exceptional angler opportunity on the Saugeen this fall! Enjoy!

Jody Scheifley Fish & Wildlife Technical Specialist Ministry of Natural Resources Owen Sound

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How to Fish Trout Beads

Trout beads are an excellent choice of bait when fishing for Steelhead. Although they have been around for years, this type of bead (rigged tandem bead-to-hook) has been traced back to the 60’s and perhaps earlier in the United States. With their increased popularity to produce fish throughout their Alaska and the West Coast origin, they are now going main stream in and are gaining popularity in parts of the Great Lakes Regions with the highest demand presence in Up State New York, USA. As many Ontarians Steelheading across the border, and the power of online media and forums, Troutbeads are now quickly gaining popularity in our local rivers, yielding many fish to the bank and at times may out-fish roe.

Since Steelhead and Salmon naturally lay their eggs in Rivers, beads offer an excellent way to imitate one of these single eggs being swept by the current down stream to an eagerly-awaiting steelhead looking for a meal. Beads may also benefit as being the next best alternative bait to natural eggs gained by one having to harvest steelhead and further dampening the ever-depleting numbers in our local rivers.

There is an abundance of different sizes and colors; however we will feature here the Troutbeads.com brand as one of the most popular main stream bead. Made from high density plastic, these beads offer the best quality and finishes, known under the trademarks Troutbeads, Mottled, Blooddot and Glowbeadz. You can find these in most Ontario tackle shops specializing in steelhead float fishing tackle ranging in price from $2.25 to $4.00 Pkg. To make your selection easy, some popular-best sellers are the Egg yolk, Caramel roe, Orange clear, Peach fuzz, Chartreuse Pearl, Cheese Pearl, Cotton Candy just to name a few.

Trout Bead Rig
A good way to start fishing beads is to simply drift them below your float just like any other artificial or organic bait. Drifting them in faster current seemed to work best for the beads where steelhead may be holding behind boulders and undercuts waiting as it drifts by. You can use the smaller 6 or 8mm size with smaller hooks during cold winter conditions when steelhead are sluggish, not as active and their feeding somewhat slows, looking for smaller size bait. Come Fall and Spring when water levels are up and fish are actively moving in warmer water, they start looking for big meals and you can move up to 10-12mm beads with larger hooks, using bright colors for increased presentation and visibility to the fish. This is not a rule however, and at times any bead will work well and when a particular bead size or color may be thought not be the best selection you may quickly realize it was the best producer that particular day …so it’s a good idea to have a good selection at all time in your vest, as it pays to try different colors in a day’s fishing.

Trout Bead Setup: Stopping the Bead
There are several ways to keep the bead stationary on the line. Some fishermen use a method called “Pegging” by first passing your leader through the bead hole and jamming the point of a toothpick inside the bead hole keeping it on the line where you wanted, and then tying your hook usually about 1 to 2 inches below the bead for best-natural presentation. Another method is to use a “Bead-Knot” and begin by passing your leader through the bead hole then coming around and passing it through again. Once through, you then wrap the line around the loop of the line 7-8 times and pull straight. This causes the wraps to disappear into the bead hole and then finish off by tying your hook below the bead.

Both methods seem to work fine, some thinning may be required to the toothpick to get it deep, as it may sometimes come loose due to limited tension on the line or if too-much tension it’s possible you could damage the line. The Bead-Knot also works fine. Care should be taken not to curl when pulling the wraps tight by lobbing the knot.

Trout Bead Rigging
A new bead rigging tool introduced recently is based on the same concept using a toothpick. The pick itself though is made of flexible silicone called “PEG-IT” available from Top Brass Tackle and a similar product from troutbeads.com. The Peg-It is probably the easiest way to peg your bead quickly and easy, consisting of a thin-tapered peg, about 11/2” long looks just like a toothpick. Its key-feature is its elasticity …that once you pass your
Trout Bead Accessories
Trout Bead Accessories
line or leader through the bead and then push the narrow end of the peg-it into the bead hole until it sticks out the other end, you then pull it to stretch and jam the peg in the bead hole then clip the excess off at top and bottom sides of the bead keeping the bead securely wherever you want it.

The soft silicone peg will not damage the line and the bead can be moved up and down the line easily, yet hold firm. The Peg-It will also work for other type beads with a larger bore diameter to a maximum of about 2mm.

Packed in 15 or 50 count with a retail price range of $2.95-$5.95 available now in most specialty tackle shops, including in our pro-shop using this link http://www.centerpinangling.com/steelhead- flies.html#troutbeads See you in the river & happy fishing!

Article by: Jim Maragos-centerpinangling.com
Special thanks: Cameron Howthorne-troutbeads.com

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Jessie James and His Gang Are Back!

Jeez, autumn! A little rain, a little cold weather and it was predictable that the rainbows would be running the Saugeen. As expected, Jessie James and his gang were also back, prowling along the banks of the Saugeen.

Yes I know, Jessie James and his gang have all been dead and buried for more than a hundred years. Still, I like to refer to these present day guys as the James Gang. It seems fitting to me. Both groups broke the law. The guys now buried stole from banks. The guys now living steal from our fishery, but still walk the banks. Really, they’re still nothing more than poachers.

A few years back poachers could be referred to as rippers and runners. They’d rip the fish up and run away with their spoils. Not to say that some aren’t still around. It’s obvious today though that poaching is a little more refined and so are the outlaws. Even with long rods, light lines and float reels some of these clowns can really put a dent in our fishery, especially on the Saugeen. Our biggest problem on this river is the taking of more than the limit.

Tell me you haven’t seen it. Some of these jerks will go down to the river, make a few casts and fill out their limit. They may go home and drop off their catch. Some will head back to their trailer, chill the fish in a cooler and have a beer and a nap. A few might just head back to the trunk of their car and stash their catch in a blanket. Still, they head back to river to start all over again. Hell, it has gotten so sophisticated that last autumn on the Saugeen some of the boys from Metro even had their girlfriends ferrying coolers of fish back and forth from Bruce County to the city! You have to admit, these guys are real outlaws.

Releasing Steelhead Smolts

Just about everyone on the river is well aware of what is taking place and who the outlaws are. Trust me, Karl hears complaints, the Directors hear complaints. Hell, I can sit in my office down on Lake Erie and I get phone complaints almost daily. There’s no denying poaching and poachers are running rampant. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and especially the enforcement branch are understaffed and overworked. Karl and I have both been in constant communications the supervisors and our local conservation officers. A crackdown has been promised and is presently underway…. These guys (left) didn’t dedicate a lifetime to this fishery to see it poached!

 Now here’s what you can do. Instead of bitching and complaining about poachers, report these outlaws. If you witness infractions, contact the Ministry of Natural Resources at 1-877-TIPS-MNR…..1-877-847-7667. You might even want to take a picture of these clowns carrying out their dirty deeds. A picture of their car and even a license plate photo helps as well.

Again, the Ministry of Natural Resources has promised us a more active presence on the Saugeen this year. Don’t let these people spoil our fishery. Down with the Outlaws!

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The Bucket List

Rod Jones & Cronzy in B.C.
This summer I was very fortunate to get a call to help complete my bucket list….British Columbia fishing! I was off! …and boy was I impressed with my travelling partner! He set up the whole trip, and all the travel arrangements. I would have had a hell of a time navigating through the ridiculously huge airports in Toronto and Vancouver. My friend also made arrangements for a side trip to visit his friends at Lund on the mainland; another educational experience. We went to his friends’ seafood farm that raises scallops, mussels and oysters. After picking up the choice eating, we went out in another boat and set traps for prawns and crabs. It was the first time I saw anything like that. The experience was great and the catch was our meal. It was awesome, to meet so many new friends and experience their different lifestyles.

Rod Jones & Cronzy in B.C.
The next day we headed for the Island. A couple of ferry rides and some driving brought us to Kyuquot Sound Lodge. Soon after our arrival, we were off with owner Matt Guiguet to our first fishing destination about ten minutes from the Lodge. Down went the baits! It was ridiculous how fast the rods went off. You’d just sit down and off would go another! This went on each day with different guides and lots and lots of fish! We could only keep 4 Chinook and 8 Coho, and the Coho had to be clipped to keep. We likely caught 150 or more but all were wild so had to go back. We also went jigging but after 40 minutes I gave up. Ughhh… It was all work! In that 40 minutes we landed 2 mid-sized halibut, 2 ling cod, 2 red snapper and about 6 or 7 rock fish. UN-REAL! Fishing like this was hard work!

Thanks to everyone in the Lodge, from owners, cooks, guides and my favorite guide and friend that helped me through all the obstacles and all the fun. Thanks Darryl “the Cronz!” It was a great time. Two more things on my bucket list…. Want to go?

…Cronzy’s reply:

“It was fun helping you fill out your Bucket List you Old Fart. It’s just too bad you left out a few of the fun things that took place out on the coast. I guess what happens in B.C. stays in B.C., but the combination of fish, scenery and that special B.C. medication sure kept you on your toes and in action the entire trip. As for helping you continue on with filling out that list, give me about six months. Since that last outing I’m whipped! A kid like me has a hard time keeping up with an Old Fart like you.”….

 

 

 

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Saugeen Steelhead Runs Were Booming!

 

I had to pity poor Pete Gilles and his partner standing and struggling a dozen feet below me in the trap at Denny’s Dam. They were both in almost waist deep water with roughly five hundred excited steelhead, splashing and thrashing around them. It was obvious that the Saugeen steelhead run was booming and that all the hard work carried out by the members of the Ontario Steelheaders and the Lake Huron Fishing Club was paying off in a big, big way.

So big in fact, it’s quite possible the Saugeen River just might be classed as having one of the biggest, if not the biggest runs of steelhead anywhere on the continent.

It hasn’t been an easy project to carry out. It takes work and then more work. Matter of fact, the dedicated members of both clubs have been collectively working their asses off for more than the last eight years to bring this program to fruition. These boys and girls don’t work a day or two or a month or two, but right around the calendar. That’s 365 days of the year and often under the worst of conditions.

A fish going upriver via Steelhead Express

Let’s look at last autumn for example. First, the members of both clubs combined efforts to man the trap at Denny’s to collect 500 big, brawny adult steelhead for the transfer to the prime spawning grounds of the Beatty Saugeen. Why does it seem these fish almost always have to make their appearance when the temperature is freezing and the skies are their wettest? Trust me, it’s not easy to handle a hundred or more fish in a lift. Then there’s the cost of hauling those fish tankers back and forth numerous times a day from Southampton to Hanover. Oh, and don’t forget the wear and tear on the trucks that do the hauling and the burnt up transmissions that go with that wear and tear.

It’s not just moving adults that this program is all about. We raise approximately 50,000 to 60,000 of the finest looking 8 inch plus sized yearling steelhead smolts every year. That’s one hell of a lot of loving babysitting that is carried out by the members of the Lake Huron Fishing Club. Remember again, that we added those 65,000 advanced fall fingerlings to the hatchery count as well.

To get those fish raised over at Kincardine, both clubs also had to strip and fertilize a lot of unhappy and aggravated adult steelhead to obtain a total of almost 200,000 eggs and a great deal of milt to put in the hatchery in the first place.

It may seem like a lot of fun, but it’s not…it’s damn hard work. My hat goes off to those members of both the Ontario Steelheaders and Lake Huron Fishing Club that carry out that damn hard work

Over the winter, when others may be out ice fishing, the members of the Lake Huron Fishing Club and Ontario Steelheaders can be found back in the Kincardine Fish Hatchery clipping the dorsal fins off 50,000 or 60,000 steelhead fingerlings that have to be identified before spring stocking can commence. In the winter of 2011/2012 we increased the clipping program just a little. Thanks to a pre-arranged agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ontario Steelheaders, the club was allowed to obtain additional eggs and a one-time stocking of 65,000 advanced fall fingerlings was allowed. The Lake Huron Fishing Club raised them and the members of both clubs did a hell of a lot more clipping over at the LHFC’s Port Elgin fish hatchery.

Then spring arrives and the climbing up and down in the trap, the netting and the lifting and trailering starts all over again. This time around, the target was set at 1,000 adults and we accomplished that number in three and a half days.

Releasing Adult Steelhead

I’ve already mentioned Pete and his partner surrounded by 500 big fish. Well that happened back in March of this spring and the trap was only down in the water for a little over an hour. Over a four day period club members would lower the fish trap only three times a day for one hour intervals. Each of those lifts, on average, would capture more than 400 adult rainbows. On each of those lifts we generally had three trucks and fish tankers ready to transport approximately 130 adults upriver to the Beatty. As we made the convoy upstream to the Beatty, Grant McAlpine and his crew were still left to sample approximately 250-300 remaining fish for sex, ripeness and missing fin clips.

Now think on this real hard. We would only put that trap down for 3 hours a day and average more than 400 fish in each of three lifts. That means the trap was out and the fish were on swim-through for more than 20 hours a day. That run ran strong for almost three weeks. Do your math. That is one hell of a lot of fish that swam up out of that trap and all the way to Hanover.

 It’s not just moving adults that this program is all about. We raise approximately 50,000 to 60,000 of the finest looking 8 inch plus sized yearling steelhead smolts every year. That’s one hell of a lot of loving babysitting that is carried out by the members of the Lake Huron Fishing Club. Remember again, that we added those 65,000 advanced fall fingerlings to the hatchery count as well.

To get those fish raised over at Kincardine, both clubs also had to strip and fertilize a lot of unhappy and aggravated adult steelhead to obtain a total of almost 200,000 eggs and a great deal of milt to put in the hatchery in the first place.

It may seem like a lot of fun, but it’s not…it’s damn hard work. My hat goes off to those members of both the Ontario Steelheaders and Lake Huron Fishing Club that carry out that damn hard work.

Darryl Choronzey

 

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Partnerships

OS present a cheque for $5000 to LHFC for fisheries enhancement
It was great to see members of the Ontario Steelheaders attend the Underwood “State of Lake Huron” meeting organized by the Lake Huron Fishing Club in May. It was also nice to have even more Steelheaders attend our member fish-fry in June. These events, of course, followed up from a cheque presentation to the Lake Huron Fishing Club from the Ontario Steelheaders in early May and a very successful day of stocking rainbow trout yearlings from our Kincardine Trout hatchery in April. Each year the Ontario Steelheaders and the Lake Huron Fishing Club become more closely entwined. This is a good thing! We have other sister clubs in Southwestern Ontario. The Bruce Penninsula Sportsmen’s Association in Wiarton, Barrow Bay and District Sports Fishing Association in Lions Head, Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association in Owen Sound, Georgian Triangle Anglers Association in Collingwood, Maitland Valley Anglers in Goderich, Bayfield Anglers in Bayfield, Bluewater Anglers in Sarnia, Thames River Anglers in London. I mention these specific clubs, although there are even more local organizations, because we are the ones that are actively involved with fish culture and fish stocking.

“It is absolutely essential that we all work together, share resources and information and present a common unified front against those forces that will try to undo all of the good fisheries enhancement and management work that we do.”

Some of this opposition comes from government personnel that are ill-informed, misguided or resentful. Some of the obstructiveness comes

from other groups with their own agendas. At one time the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters had the mandate to unify various sportsmen’s organizations such as ours but unfortunately a change in their internal policies has made them exclusionary instead of inclusive. It is up to us to band together. We have the same passion for the sport of fishing, the same respect for the resource, the same concern about the future of the sport for our children, the same willingness to commit our time and energy. While it is not necessary for us to agree on everything, our similarities vastly outnumber our differences.

Al Wilkins
Past President Lake Huron Fishing Club
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The Proposed Highlands Quarry – A Cause for Concern

…as it is to be situated near Many Headwaters Producing Steelhead in Ontario!

What is expected to be the second largest aggregate quarry in North America is to be located in Melancthon Township. The Highlands Companies is seeking permission to open a 2,300 acre (937 hectare) quarry just north of Shelburne. The company wants to mine up to 1.102 billion tons (I billion tonnes) of a high quality limestone called Amabel dolostone. This proposed quarry will sit on the Amabel-Lockport-Guelph aquifer. The proposed mega quarry is to be situated near the headwaters of many Ontario rivers – Pine, Noisy, Nottawasaga, Boyne, Mad, Saugeen and Grand Rivers. The proposed pit will be 200 feet (60 metres) in depth which is well below the water table in this area. The quarry operators will be required to pump an estimated 131.98 million gallons (600 million litres) of water from the pit each day. To put this figure into perspective, that is the equivalent of the amount of water used by 2.7 million Ontarians per day! This is the estimated amount of water that would seep into the pit since the pit will be below the water table. The company has said it will pump the water back into the aquifer. The concern is – in what condition!

Melancthon Township is located within Dufferin County. This county is the highest plateau immediately west of Georgian Bay. Because of the county’s geographic location and topography, the county forms the watershed for Lakes Huron, Simcoe, Ontario and Erie. Also the Nottawasaga, Saugeen, Grand and Credit Rivers commence here and then each system drains throughout the county. This area is one of the largest catchment areas in southwestern Ontario. This is a very important landscape in Ontario.

The Highlands Companies is made up of several numbered companies, set up in Nova Scotia. This was done as the province of Nova Scotia offers tax breaks for American investors. The company has purchased approximately 6,500 acres (2,630 hectares) in total. Most of this land is in Melancthon Township – 5,600 acres (2,266 hectares). The balance, 900 acres (364 hectares) lies in Mulmur Township. Currently the Highlands Companies grow and harvests 100 million pounds (45.4 million kilograms) of potatoes annually.

Under The Environmental Bill of Rights, EBR Registry Number 011-2864, the proponent 3191574 Nova Scotia Company applied for a Class “A” Licence Quarry Below Water to excavate more than 20,000 tonnes of aggregate annually. The Highlands Companies have proposed it will mine over 50 to 100 years excavating in sections of 300 acres (121 hectares) at a time. The section would be returned to farmland by “re-laying” soil after the mining process is completed.

The Highlands Company has filed twenty consultant reports totaling 3,100 pages. The consultants assert that the proposed project will have no negative impacts on fish habitat and will allow for improvement in the diversity, connectivity and function of the natural heritage systems in the area including linkages between natural heritage features, surface water features and groundwater features and long term increase in the quality and diversity of wildlife habitat associated with the agricultural landscape (see Page 10.2 – Net Impacts).

Many areas of the Stantec report leave one pondering their conclusions. There is certainly a lack of information in regards to the consultant’s “Fish Habitat Assessment”. In the spring, summer and fall of 2008, as well as the summer of 2009, “Aquatic Field Studies were carried out in the study area. The report fails to provide much detail in regards to the type of studies completed as well as when and where these studies were conducted. The studies carried out on the main stem of the Pine River, a tributary of the Nottawasaga River, are very troublesome.

One of the confusing items in the Stantec report is in regards to the assessment of the value of the Pine River Headwaters Wetland Complex. The Stantec report states that background fish community data from the Nottawasaga valley Conservation Authority’s (NVCA) 2007 Pine River Sub Watershed Report Card shows the Headwater Wetland Complex supports warm water baitfish only. This is not the case. In fact the report card does not refer to “warm” or “baitfish”. The NVCA report does state, “groundwater discharge from other wetlands – such as the Pine River headwaters – maintains cold stream flows that support trout”. A further document, NVCA Groundwater Management Plan (DRAFT) Version 5, dated November 3, 2009, says, “These headwater areas generally support a significant groundwater recharge/discharge cycle and supports coldwater fisheries habitats supporting native brook trout”.

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment also has some concerns with the reports prepared for the Highlands Companies. On September 1, 2011 the proponent, 3191574 Nova Scotia Company, is regulated to undergo an Environmental Assessment (EA) under the Environmental Assessment Act for the project. Mega-quarries do not require an EA in the province of Ontario. So this is a huge step. The first step will be to prepare the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the EA. Both the ToR and the EA will involve government review and a public consultation process. Once fisheries issues are raised, this could also involve the federal government’s review as well, as fisheries falls under federal jurisdiction. The process could take several years to resolve.

Issues surrounding water management, environmental damage, the degradation of groundwater and transportation are also serious concerns of this proposed quarry development. The truck traffic will greatly increase. The Highlands Company proposes to finance road improvements if its requirements exceed 150 40-tonne trucks per hour, 24 hours a day, every day except statutory holidays. That is 3,600 40 tonne trucks per day. That is staggering! As well, this quarry is proposed to operate for 50 to 100 years.

Another issue to be faced by the Highlands Company deals with some of the animals that could/are found in the area within the pit to be mined. There are indications of the presence of the Henslow’s Sparrow and the Bobolink. These species are included in either the provincial or federal Species at Risk Acts. For further information regarding the Highland Companies visit http://www.highlandcompanies.ca/ I did not discuss the impact on agriculture in this article. If you are interested in this, go to: http://highlandcompanies.ca/images/uploads/pdf/application/12_Agricultural_Impact_Assessment.pdf. This study was also prepared by Stantec.

There have been numerous township meetings held to discuss the proposed quarry. On October 16, 2011 “Foodstock” was held. This was organized by the Canadian Chef’s Congress. An estimated 28,000 people attended the one day event held on a farm near Shelbourne, Ontario. “Foodstock’ featured home-style food prepared by several of Ontario’s famous chefs along with entertainment provided by musical artists such as Ron Sexsmith, Susan Harmer and Jim Cuddy. The event was organized to raise public awareness in regards to the threat of southern Ontario’s agricultural lands, in this case, specifically the farms in Melancthon Township.

Many organizations are involved in protecting these valuable farm lands and rivers. These include, not only the Canadian Chefs’ Congress, but the Ontario Sierra Club, David Suzuki Foundation, Turtle Clan Mohawk Nation, Township of Melancthon, North Dufferin Agricultural Task Force, to name a few, as well as many, many residents.

As a wrap up, there are two processes in the works. The one is the Aggregate Resources Act (ARA). At this time, the Highland Companies must address the issues raised from this application process. The second is the Environmental Assessment Act. There are opportunities for you to voice your opinion. There are many developments and proposals that are going to impact on the state of the steelhead in the province of Ontario. Right now there is a subdivision proposal within the City of Brantford which could have a great impact on the natural steelhead population within the Grand River system. This area is a highly environmental sensitive area.

Please get involved throughout this province. You may not stop development, but you could have a positive influence on the many proposals and ultimately the environment in which migrating rainbow trout live in Ontario!

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Fishway News

An unusually early melt has resulted in possibly the earliest run of steelhead on the Saugeen in recent memory.

Top view of the new fishway at Maple Hill Dam
Top view of the new fishway at Maple Hill Dam

After much effort by Ontario Steelheaders, MNR and other partner groups it is safe to say Walkerton Fishway at Truax dam is running optimally! On one March afternoon, MNR staff observed 73 rainbows passing through this fishway in just 20 minutes.

The next barrier upstream from Walkerton remains Maple Hill dam. Again, the same dedicated parties completed the first construction stage of the ‘new’ Maple Hill fishway last fall.Although this newly constructed fishway requires a bit more ‘fine tuning’, fish were seen successfully navigating this fishway. Maple Hill Fishway construction will be completed this summer.








Rainbow trout (Center and inset) negotiating the dam.
Rainbow trout (Center and inset) negotiating the dam.
MNR had scheduled fish monitoring cameras to be operational at Walkerton and Maple Hill dams this spring to capture steelhead numbers passing throughthese fishways. Unfortunately, the extremely early run did not enable crews to install these cameras on time. Cameras will be operational in time for next year’s spring run and will also record downstream smolt migration.

So, the good news is the Saugeen is seeing a record number of steelhead at a time when all barriers between the lake and the cold productive headwaters have been eliminated. This is truly a success story and example of what can be achieved when partners with a common interest work together!









Jody Scheifley
Fish & Wildlife Technical Specialist
Ministry of Natural Resources
Owen Sound, ON