Two weeks left in the Great Ontario Salmon Derby 2011! Here are some pictures taken at the Port Credit weigh station operating for the duration of the derby: July 9 to August 27, 2011.Update: See video at bottom of post of GOSD fish-off start Sept 17.
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| Port Credit Mississauga Marina Boat Launch Access |
Enter the Port Credit marina boat launch from Front Street South, the first entrance right at the landmark lighthouse on Lakeshore Road West (west side of Credit River). Note there are no traffic lights at Front Street.
The boat launch is at the south end of the lot, near the exit. Center lanes are set aside for staging only, and once you've launch your boat, you can exit the lot and park behind the marina lot.
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| Port Credit Weigh Pay Station ~ Charter Fishing Boat Dock |
Along the west side of the Credit River south of Lakeshore Road West, you'll see the charter fishing boat dock. The Great Ontario Salmon Derby weigh Station is located in the small brown cottage at the south end next to the fish cleaning station. (Washrooms are located under the Lighthouse.)
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| Port Credit Weigh Station Boat Launch Fees |
The Great Ontario Salmon Derby affects all boaters (NOT canoes, kayaks, seadoos, etc) using the Port Credit marina boat launch facilities: For the duration of the Derby (July 9 to August 27), a launch fee of $10 is in effect. The seasonal launch rate is $70. This launch fee also includes parking in the lot behind the weigh station.
If you think you will be using the Port Credit boat launch more than 7 times over the next two weeks, then get the seasonal pass. Once the derby is over, the boat launch fee is no longer charged.
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| Port Credit Marina Weigh Station Fish Cleaning Facilities |
Good fish cleaning facilities are located next to the Port Credit weigh station just up from the boat launch area.
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| Coho Salmon Port Credit Marina Mississauga Ontario |
Though I cannot be certain, by checking with the fish identification map below, I believe these are Coho salmon, though they might be Chinook. They are a beautiful silver color with a strip of steel gray on their backs, and have deep red flesh. As of today, salmon are being caught mainly in deep waters in Lake Ontario; in this area, it's about 4 miles off Port Credit.
The annual salmon run that sees hundreds of fishermen along the banks of the Credit River from
Saddington Park in Port Credit to
Erindale Park north of Dundas Street is still a few weeks away.
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| Credit River Lake Ontario Salmon Identification Chart |
Make note of the salmon identification chart posted near the weigh station. Valid fishing license and Ontario Outdoors cards are usually required, though charter fishing boat companies will arrange for one-day licenses. See the
Ministry of Natural Resources MNR site for complete information.
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| Port Credit Missisauga Ontario Boat Launch Ramps |
Here's a closer look at the boat launch ramp at Port Credit. The weigh station and the fish cleaning station are located to the right of this view.
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| MNR Posts Hotline Phone Numbers for Poaching, Tagged Fish Info |
Take a moment to read the posted signs at the marina, and be aware that Peel Regional Police Marine Unit and MNR staff monitor compliance on a regular basis. Additionally, at the entrance to Saddington Park off Front Street, the
Credit River Anglers Association (CRAA) posted a sign alerting fishermen to Lake Sturgeon issues.
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| Muskies Muskellunge Identification Chart |
Also posted at the Port Credit weigh station is a muskie (muskellunge) identification chart. Some pike were being caught earlier in the season as were carp, but salmon fishing is the big draw in this area.
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| Great Ontario Salmon Derby Salmon Weights Chart |
The Port Credit weigh station posts this chart showing salmon weights and location caught for the entire Great Ontario Salmon Derby to date. Staff today noted that the largest salmon so far today weighed in at just over 26 pounds, no where near record size.
Here's my
video of the start of last year's salmon derby, and see the
GOSD website for full information on the Derby.
The site states that prize awards day this year is September 17, but I couldn't find the location.
I see the picnic tables stacked in Saddington Park, so I suspect the fish-off for prize winners is this weekend, and again to be held at Saddington Park in Port Credit. The GOSD site has one graphic box that says the date, (
All prizes are awarded on awards day, September 17, 2011") but no location.
BUT thanks to a
local fishing boat charter company:
CHAMPIONSHIP FISH-OFF*
September 17, 2011 at Credit Village Marina,
City of Mississauga 7:00 a.m. - 12 o’clock
noon. The 70 prize winners in the Great Ontario Salmon Derby
will participate in a four hour fishing derby. Prizes for catching the
four
largest salmon. Following the Derby will be a luncheon at
which $5,000 in prizes will be awarded. First prize: $2,000, Second
prize: $1,500, Third prize: $1,000, Fourth prize: $500.
Related:
Salmon Imprint Pen at Port Credit.
6 comments:
The salmon are closer to shore in Port Credit. This morning by 7 a.m. about 36 boats were fishing only a kilometer from shore.
On Sunday, a fisherman said a 15 lb salmon was caught under the Lakeshore Road bridge in Port Credit.
Sunday August 28 derby for salmon casting Saddington Park Credit River area. See ShortWave Marine on Lakeshore Road in Port Credit for tickets.
Salmon are running - catching them now in Port Credit at Saddington (can see them jumping sometimes) and up the Credit River past Memorial Park.
And someone told me they are up in Erindale Park now, so I will try to get up there to have a look.
it the boat launch open yet
Not yet - likely by mid April - that's the target date for spring openings.
If you are in Mississauga call 311 and ask to be sure.
Kayaks, canoes etc being launched last week but no motor boats.
The boat launch is now charging a launch fee ($10/day, a bit more than last year) for the duration of the Derby now until August 25.
Pay the fee at the small cabin at the south end.
Open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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