Lake Ontario Salmon Run

[wetman]

Hey,

I was just curious if anyone here has dove with salmon or if its even possible. We're coming up on the fall salmon run near port hope and i'd imagine several other places. I know where they come in in a couple places but was wondering if anyone has ever dove with them out in the lake at this time of year near these inlets or if its even possible? Do they hang around these inlets or just come in quickly from the deeper spots of the lake directly into the inlet? Would they spook easily? I have no clue but i'd love to be able to take some pics if its possible cause i really haven't seen many pics of them around. Any thoughts are appreciated.

steve

 

[Marvintpa]

Sure, it's possible to swim with salmon. Be very cautious, however: being run into by a sizeable horny salmon that is biologically programmed not to care what is in its way, is like getting hit by a baseball bat.
If you dive in the shallows at the mouth of a known salmon stream you will likely find them everywhere. We usually encountered them laying/resting in the weeds, well hiddin, preparing to make their next mad dash. Oftentimes, moving the weeds to find them successfully triggered that dash - scared the hell outt me.

 

[wetman]

Tom,

Do you have any pics of those? I'd think if anyone did you would.

steve

 

[deep_ocean]

That sounds interesting. If you decide to go for it, let me know.
When do they come around?

 

[Marvintpa]

Sorry, no pics.
The first salmon (which looked like a whale at point blank range) snapped the strobe off and flooded the camera.

 

[wetman]

Its usually spring (not sure when) and fall near the end of august and during september. We sometimes fish for them right in port hope but apparently there are many places they come in. They are huge fish so it would be interesting to be in the water with them.

steve

 

[wetman]

Tom,

Where did you dive with them?

steve

 

[Marvintpa]

It was in Colpoys bay, on the way to Toby. It makes for one helluva night dive.

 

[deep_ocean]

Can you also do salmon dive during the day?

 

[Marvintpa]

Yes, you can do it during the day... they just seemed to be a little more skittish when the sun was out.