Mastering Maitland steelhead

Planning a multi-day steelhead fishing adventure is something I look forward to each season. Southern Ontario has many Great Lakes tributaries to pick from, but one is always at the top of my list: the Maitland River. The picturesque Maitland begins in Arthur Township in Wellington County and empties into Lake Huron in the small town of Goderich. The river is a cold and warm-water species fishery, but the allure of catching a migratory steelhead draws anglers from afar. The river offers kilometres of accessible riverbank via many bridge crossings and public trails. Many access points to put in and take out drift boats and rafts are available. Around every bend in the valley lies premium steelhead-holding water, whether swift runs, or deep pools. The riverbank is commonly lined with long-flooded grasses, creating a challenge for wading, but gentle on fish when you land them. This river offers it all no matter what angling techniques you prefer. Here’s what you need to know. Top locations Whether exploring on foot or floating in a river vessel, there are seemingly endless locations throughout the watershed to access premium steelhead water. Be it spring or fall, there are plenty of opportunities to catch steelhead. The spring season opens on the fourth Saturday in April and there is a short window on the Maitland to get into drop-back, post-spawn steelhead. Bass anglers will frequent the lower river in the summer months but come fall it’s back to steelheading for many. There is an extended fall season, as well as a limited year-round season. The extended fall season (Oct. 1 until Dec. 31) stretches from Lake Huron all the way to the town of Wingham. Following the river downstream from Wingham, numerous bridge crossings can be found, some of which have trailer accessible put-ins/launches for boats. The Maitland may very well be the most accessible river in southern Ontario for downstream float trips with many options for launches and take-outs. Several parking locations where trails can be accessed follow the river, so a boat is not required to properly explore this river. The limestone river substrate is carved out to generate large holding pools in some locations, while in others, it acts as a barrier to migration, creating falls, or steps that steelhead must navigate over on their upstream journey. One particularly popular fishing location where these steps and pools can be found is Falls