Swimming Upstream - Experience the Salmon Tour in Grey

Owen Sound is one of the few places in Ontario where you can watch the salmon spawning in their natural habitat, in streams and rushing rivers, migrating upstream to lay their eggs in the shallows before winter settles in. The salmon run is weather-dependent, usually beginning mid-September and lasting until about mid-October.

From late August to late October, adult spawning Chinook Salmon begin showing up in the area rivers. They are aggressive jumpers and provide exciting viewing as they migrate up stream and make their way up the Fishway to find suitable areas in gravel river beds. The Thornbury Fishway, known locally as the Fish Ladder, is designed to let fish pass around the Thornbury Dam and once above the dam, they can continue upstream to spawn. The Fish Ladder is located in the heart of Thornbury and can be viewed from Highway 26.  Within steps of the downtown core of the Business Improvement Area.