Private 7 Hour Toronto Fishing Trip
Private Trip
River Fishing
Private 7hour guided fishing experience for up to 2 guestsTarget salmon and trout across ten Durham Region riversYearround fishing with seasonal species and expert guidance
When you're looking for serious fishing action near Toronto, this full-day private trip with Ruben on the River delivers exactly what passionate anglers want. You'll hit over ten different rivers across Durham Region, chasing seasonal runs of salmon and trout that make Ontario fishing legendary. This isn't your typical dock fishing – we're talking about prime spawning grounds where big fish come to feed and fight hard. With just two spots available per trip, you get personalized attention and the flexibility to stay on productive water when the bite is hot.
Seven hours gives us real time to work the best stretches without rushing from spot to spot. We'll start early when fish are most active, moving between rivers based on current conditions, water levels, and seasonal patterns. Each location offers different structure – deep pools, gravel runs, undercut banks – so you'll learn to read water and adjust your approach throughout the day. The Durham Region rivers each have their own personality, from fast-flowing tributaries perfect for drift fishing to slower sections where finesse techniques shine. You'll see why local guides guard their favorite spots closely, and understand how seasonal migrations bring world-class fishing right to Toronto's backyard. Weather plays a huge role in fish behavior here, so we adjust our game plan based on recent rainfall, temperature swings, and barometric pressure changes that trigger feeding activity.
We'll match our methods to what's working best for each species and season. Summer salmon fishing means presenting bait and lures in current seams where Coho and Chinook stage before their spawning runs. Fall brings aggressive fish that'll smash spinners, spoons, and fresh roe presentations. When we switch to winter trout fishing, it's all about subtle presentations – small jigs, light line, and reading the slightest taps that signal a Brown or Rainbow mouthing your offering. I provide all the essential gear, but if you've got favorite rods or reels, bring them along. We'll rig everything from 8-12 foot spinning setups for versatility to longer float rods when conditions call for precise drift presentations. Line selection changes constantly – heavier fluorocarbon when water's murky, lighter mono for spooky fish in clear conditions. You'll learn to tie proven knots, choose the right sinker weight for current speed, and understand why bait presentation often matters more than bait selection.
Atlantic Salmon bring serious excitement when they show up in these waters. These silver rockets average 8-15 pounds but can push much larger, and they jump repeatedly when hooked. They're most active during cooler months and prefer deeper pools with good current flow. What makes them special is their incredible stamina – a hooked Atlantic will test your drag system and fighting skills like few other freshwater fish. They're also quite selective feeders, making each hookup feel well-earned.
Rainbow Trout are the bread and butter of Ontario fishing, available year-round with peak action from late fall through early spring. These beauties typically run 3-8 pounds in our rivers, with occasional giants pushing into double digits. Rainbows love oxygenated water and will hold in tailouts, rapids, and anywhere current brings food. They're acrobatic fighters that combine multiple jumps with strong runs, and their pink stripe becomes brilliant during spawning season. Great fish for learning proper trout techniques since they're aggressive enough to forgive small mistakes.
Coho Salmon arrive in summer and early fall, bringing non-stop action for anglers who time it right. These 5-12 pound fish are absolute dynamite on the end of your line – they jump higher and fight harder per pound than almost any freshwater species. Cohos school up in river mouths before pushing upstream, creating opportunities for multiple hookups. They're less finicky than other salmon species and will hit a variety of presentations, making them perfect for building confidence and enjoying consistent action.
Chinook Salmon represent the ultimate prize in Great Lakes fishing. These bruisers commonly reach 15-25 pounds, with true monsters exceeding 30. King salmon have incredible power and endurance, often requiring 15-20 minute fights that'll leave your arms burning. They typically arrive in late summer and early fall, seeking deep pools and areas with substantial current. Chinooks are methodical fighters that use their size and weight to their advantage, making long powerful runs toward cover. Landing a big King is a career highlight for most anglers.
Brown Trout are the craftiest species we target, known for their wariness and preference for low-light conditions. These golden-flanked beauties average 4-10 pounds but grow much larger in our river systems. Browns are most active from late fall into early spring, often feeding when other species shut down. They're ambush predators that love undercut banks, fallen trees, and deep pocket water. What makes Browns special is their intelligence – they require stealthy approaches and perfect presentations, but reward skilled anglers with some of the most memorable fights in freshwater fishing.
This private 7-hour experience gives you the full Ontario fishing treatment without the crowds or compromises of larger group trips. You'll learn proven techniques, fish productive waters that most visitors never see, and understand why Durham Region rivers produce some of the province's best salmon and trout fishing. With only two spots available, you get the personal attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great one. Whether you're after your first Great Lakes salmon or looking to dial in your trout techniques, this trip delivers the variety and quality that keeps serious anglers coming back season after season. Ready to see what all the excitement is about?
Salmo SalarAtlantic salmon are rare gems in our waters - sleek, silver fish averaging 28-30 inches and 8-12 pounds with that classic forked tail. Unlike their Pacific cousins, these beauties can spawn multiple times and are incredibly strong fighters with amazing jumping ability. They're anadromous, moving between fresh and saltwater throughout their 4-6 year lifespan. You'll find them in deeper pools and current breaks during their upstream runs. The bronze coloring they develop in freshwater is stunning. Here's the thing though - Atlantic salmon fishing is currently prohibited due to endangered status, so we focus on the Pacific species and trout that offer similar thrills without the conservation concerns.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the craftiest trout we target, typically running 8-24 inches and 1-9 pounds in our Durham Region rivers. These golden-brown beauties with black spots are masters at using cover - think deep pools, undercut banks, and fallen timber. Late fall through winter is prime time when they feed aggressively, especially at night. Browns are incredibly wary and put up fantastic fights once hooked. They're also excellent eating with firm, flavorful meat. What makes them special is their intelligence - they've been fooling anglers since 1883 when first introduced here. They prefer cool, clear water around 54-65°F and can live up to 20 years. My secret: target them near structure during low-light conditions, and don't be afraid to go bigger with your presentations than you would for other trout.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook are the kings of our salmon runs - these massive fish can reach 12-39 inches and 15+ pounds, with some Lake Ontario specimens hitting 30+ pounds. They're light-sensitive, so they hug bottom structure during daylight hours, making weighted presentations essential. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're staging in river mouths and moving upstream. The silver sides, blue-green backs, and distinctive black mouth make them unmistakable. Chinooks are incredible fighters with that deep, powerful run that'll test your drag system. The reddish-pink meat is restaurant-quality. Since they stay deep, focus your efforts early morning or evening when they're most active. My go-to technique: get your bait down to the bottom using enough weight to stay in the strike zone.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho, or silver salmon, are absolute blast to target during summer and early fall runs. These acrobatic fighters average 12-30 inches and 8-12 pounds, with some Lake Ontario fish pushing much bigger. They're known for jumping up to 6 feet vertically - pure excitement on the line. You'll find them in calmer holding water near debris and structure before they move into faster current to spawn. The silver sides and dark blue-green backs are gorgeous, turning reddish as spawning approaches. Their bright orange meat is top-notch eating. What makes coho special is that incredible fight combined with their predictable migration patterns. Pro tip: in faster water, swing bright spinners, but in holding pools, try twitching jigs with long tails for better action.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbows are absolutely beautiful fish with that signature pink stripe and spotted pattern - they typically run 8-24 inches in our local waters, averaging 2-8 pounds. You'll find them in cooler, faster-flowing sections with good cover like undercut banks and rocky pools. Late fall through early spring is prime time when water temps drop to their preferred 55-64°F range. These fish are scrappy fighters with great acrobatic jumps, plus they're excellent eating with that pink, flaky meat. They're also great pollution indicators - if you're catching healthy rainbows, you know the water's clean. My tip: focus on dusk and evening feeding times, and work your bait just off the bottom in those gravelly runs.
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