It is exciting times for those who fish for Chinook (King) Salmon in the Oakville area, specifically Bronte Village by the Lake. After a number of years in consultation, The Town of Oakville, Halton Region, Conservation Halton, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Bronte Harbour Marina and the Halton Region Salmon & Trout Association (HRSTA) have created a partnership allowing HRSTA to house 10,000 juvenile Chinook Salmon in a "net pen" which will be placed in the waters of Bronte Outer Harbour.
According to Larry Zimmerman, a member of the Executive Board for HRSTA, “A date has now been set for our first Penning Day. On Saturday 11 April, 10,000 juvenile Salmon will be delivered by MNR & F. Association members and volunteers will then off load the salmon from a truck into 5 gallon pails. The 10,000 juvenile Salmon will then be put into a pen in the waters of Bronte Outer Harbour located at 2340 Ontario Street in Oakville. The pen will be monitored daily and in early May the smolts will be released into Lake Ontario just off the mouth of Bronte Creek. If you would like to volunteer with HRSTA, or you would like to help us on Penning Day in putting the young salmon into the pen, send us an email or give us a call at 905-464-5436.”
Zimmerman says, ”We have been granted permission to rear juvenile Salmon within the Oakville Harbour to promote the local fishery within Lake Ontario. The HRSTA has worked diligently to navigate the process for gaining this permission in an effort to bring back the Salmon which in turn benefits a wide demographic within the Halton Region.” Bronte, which was traditionally a commercial fishing port now enjoys a very healthy recreational fishery.
Fishing from Bronte Harbour is an experience to be remembered! So if you like fishing, or spending time on the water – you have come to the right place! Even if you have yet to experience the thrill of fishing for the first time, you can reel in a ten, twenty or maybe a thirty pound Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, or a Rainbow or a Brown trout, all from the waters of Lake Ontario. If you prefer you can hire the services of one of our local charter boat operators that will take you out from our own Bronte Harbour! Lake Ontario is a world class fishery and it’s right at your doorstep.
The Halton Region Salmon & Trout Association are also looking for new members. You receive the Association ball cap, meet a whole group of local experienced anglers and opportunities to network and learn about fishing the lake and streams in Halton Region. From time to time you will receive information on the state of our watershed. We hold and support events such as the Veterans Salmon Derby which raises funds for Military families in need.
A general meeting was held at the Bronte Legion just last week with many new members joining as well as significant excitement generated for the spring net pen project and other upcoming events. Anyone interested in joining The Halton Region Salmon & Trout Association can call 905-464-5436, send an email to [email protected] or message us through our website at www.hrsalmonandtrout.com
The fishing season is just around the corner. Tight lines everyone!