Late fall pier fishing

So I've just migrated towards pier fishing rather than hitting the creeks for the run this year. Was getting tired of the crowds and the antics that go on. As soon as I hooked into my first chinny from the pier I was hooked. The fight is totally different from what they put up in the creeks.
My question is how late in the fall is it worth fishing from the piers for the runs? Over the past week or two the action has really died down. Do you think it's just the weather or are they already done and up the creeks?

Are you talking solely Salmon? Because trout is basically fall winter and spring depending on conditions. I don't remember too many Salmon in November, though I am sure the odd one is straggling.

The answer to your question will also depend on the specific lake/trib. Certain tribs you blink and the run is over. Other tribs get them steady for a decent amount of time.

One thing that caught my eye about your post though... you moved to the pier to AVOID crowds?!? If crowds bother you, which they do me immensely, you just need to do some leg work and you can avoid a lot of them. Eventually you will find a couple holes you like that take you a half hour or more to get to but will barely see anyone, or a much harder access point that is a rough climb keeping others away. At least I think those holes still exist...

Those holes definitely do exist but there's the few that make the trek out there so that no one else can see what they're doing. I made the usual half hour bushwhack to a couple of my favorite holes to find two guys standing in the middle of the creek with a pair of nets. And once I made it what I thought was far enough out at a little beaver dam. There was a guy there with a 3lb treble the size of my fucking forearm dragging across the pools. Needless to say lost it on him and the only time I go back out to the creeks now is when the weather is shit and the creeks running high and dirty. Seems to be Alot less people around then.

As for what pier I'm chucking at I've been to whitby and oshawa with a little more success from oshawa. I'm just curious if it's worth attempting to target running steels from the pier too or if when the chinnys and hos are done that's it until next season.

Some of my best days, especially early when I didn't know rivers as well, were steelheading off the pier. Especially when staging. Then you run into that time of the season that only the mouth is open anyway, so you have little choice if you want to continue to fish. Spoons and bottom bouncing row works well.

I use slip floats and cast as far as I can on lake O. bead and yarn.

I'm shocked your a yarn guy Dill. ha
I carry a variety of colours.
Light weight to carry.
And comes in handy when I have nothing else to match the days hot colour.

I only use yarn under a bead when i'm by the mouth of a trib or casting for staging salmon. I hate losing spoons so I'm done with that. cleos don't come cheap nowadays....

Old school.
But works great to this day.
Give it a shot on the river.
I guarantee you'll be happy.
And added bonus.
cheap cheap cheap