Every autumn, one of nature’s most incredible migrations takes place right in Port Hope, Ontario. As the weather cools, Chinook and Coho salmon make the arduous journey from Lake Ontario upstream along the Ganaraska River to spawn. For a few weeks in September and October, these shimmering silver fish power their way through the river in a determined ritual that has occurred for millennia.
The annual Port Hope salmon run is a truly captivating experience to witness. Let’s dive into everything you need to know to observe this remarkable seasonal phenomenon:
A Fishery Restored
Salmon once teemed abundantly in Lake Ontario tributaries until overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction decimated populations by the late 1800s. For over a century very few salmon swam up the Ganaraska River. But thanks to extensive restocking efforts starting in the 1960s, Chinook and Coho Salmon runs now thrive again!
Hardy fish trucked in from the Pacific Northwest were introduced to re-establish self-sustaining populations. These stocking initiatives, coupled with pollution controls and fishing limits, have revived incredible salmon runs bringing these iconic fish back to Port Hope.
The Incredible Odyssey Begins
As days shorten in early autumn, Chinook and Coho Salmon sense it’s time to leave Lake Ontario and head upriver to spawn. Their epic journey, driven entirely by instinct, takes them from the lake over 60 miles inland until they reach the fish ladder beside the dam in Port Hope.
This immense migration is no leisurely swim. Salmon cease feeding as they hit the river, subsisting only on stored energy reserves. Battling strong current and often low water levels, they swim day and night fighting exhaustion. Obstacles like waterfalls must be hurdled using powerful leaps. Some don’t survive this punishing gauntlet.
Near the mouth of the Ganaraska River, faithful anglers eagerly await the salmon’s arrival. As shining silver fish ford the chilly waters, fishing lines cast. A strict “catch and release” rule allows landed salmon to continue their destiny upstream. Those successfully returned to the river will migrate for several more weeks.
Arriving in Port Hope
By mid-September, the first weary salmon inevitably arrive at the Corbett’s Dam near downtown Port Hope. Until 1981, this 10-foot concrete barrier marked the end of their journey. But that year, an innovative fish ladder was installed to provide upstream access for spawning.
This salmon gateway is an engineering marvel. Water from the dam flows down a long restrictive channel with staggered baffles. The salmon doggedly jump from pool to pool up this sloping fish ladder to pass the obstacle. It’s slow and challenging work.
Some salmon even clear the dam itself with a dramatic 10-foot leap! Patients and staff at the adjacent Port Hope hospital are treated to the sight of airborne salmon soaring past their windows when timing coincides with shift change.
Watching the Action
The Scotts Mill Dam with its fish ladder is undoubtedly the prime viewing spot. From late September through October, you’ll see salmon continually battling to ascend the ladder. Glimpse their shining bodies as they gather in the dam’s plunge pool before summoning energy for another leap upwards.
The Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority kindly erected public viewing stands near the ladder. Another excellent vantage point is from water level below the adjacent footbridge. But give the weary fish ample space and do not impede their progress.
You may also spot salmon swirling in shallower waters upstream as they move into slower current to rest and recover strength. The huge numbers of salmon staging in town turns the river a shimmering silver. Try visiting in the evening too when their splashing leaps are visible under lights.
The Final Stretch
Salmon that successfully conquer the Port Hope dam still face over 20 more miles of river before reaching suitable spawning sites near Campbellcroft. This daunting final stretch takes them under Highway 115 north of town past more rocky barriers.
Some venture as far as sporting fish ponds at Wesleyville. Here, an old mill dam blocks further access so salmon circle endlessly awaiting a fruitless entry. Sadly, many fully exhausted after their mighty struggle simply perish along the banks, their epic journey ending yards short of destiny.
Spawning Ritual and Demise
The few salmon sturdy enough to reach the Sandy Creek tributary will achieve their goal. In gravelly shallows, females use their tails to excavate nests called redds. As mating occurs, they release eggs into the redds simultaneously with males’ fertilizing milt. The embryos embed safely in the gravel, and the adult salmon’s lifespan concludes soon after.
Their depleted carcasses will gradually wash downstream, providing nourishment for a new aquatic food chain. Come spring, the eggs will hatch and spread more salmon to someday brave this punishing pilgrimage for themselves.
Protecting the Run’s Future
The Port Hope salmon run remains extremely fragile. Ongoing threats like pollution, habitat loss and barriers to migration must be mitigated. Climate change’s effects on water levels also loom as a concern. And not every salmon finds a mate at journey’s end.
Yet this run represents a true conservation success story thanks to continued responsible fisheries management, stream protection efforts, and hatchery supplementation. With ongoing community stewardship, these inspirational fish will keep returning to Port Hope against all odds for generations to come.
Experiencing the Salmon Run
Witnessing the Port Hope salmon run is a yearly ritual for many local families and an extraordinary nature experience for visitors. Seeing the salmon heroically leaping and battling towards their age-old spawning grounds is both educational and profoundly moving.
So be sure to visit Port Hope between mid-September and early October to observe one of Ontario’s unique wildlife phenomena for yourself! Just remember to give the salmon plenty of space and respect as they single-mindedly complete their epic life’s quest.