Five anglers along the Ganaraska River were charged with fishing in a protected fish sanctuary on Saturday, October 17, 2026 in Port Hope.
With the annual salmon run drawing to a close, trout are beginning to make their way up the river, continuing to attract anglers from across Ontario.
Anglers lined both sides of the Ganaraska River south of Walton Street, with many appearing to have good luck reeling in salmon and trout as the seasonal migration continued.
Some anglers were also taking advantage of the opportunity to have their photographs taken with their catches, even when fish appeared to have been hooked accidentally. However, returning fish to the water as quickly as possible is always the best practice.
Despite being just a few metres from downtown stores on Walton Street a few anglers decided to relieve themselves along the banks of the river.
While the fishing action continued, a Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) conservation officer was once again patrolling the river to ensure anglers were following the rules.
The patrol resulted in five people being charged with fishing in a fish sanctuary.
Three people fishing on the east side of the river and two on the west side were charged after being found angling beneath the Jocelyn Street bridge, where fishing is prohibited.
At one point, a woman angler appeared to alert several people fishing in the sanctuary that an MNR officer was nearby. However, the warning came too late for the five individuals who were subsequently charged.
As the salmon run winds down and trout begin moving upstream, the Ganaraska River continues to draw large numbers of anglers. But for those fishing in Port Hope, knowing where fishing is permitted remains just as important as landing the next big catch.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
