Fish Art Walking Tour

Discover Walkerton's Fish Art Walking Tour

If you've spotted one of Walkerton's colourful fish sculptures around town, you've discovered a piece of local history.

The Fish Art Walking Tour traces its roots back to 2002, when communities throughout the Saugeen River watershed came together to create a unique tourism attraction inspired by public art projects appearing across North America. The vision was simple: celebrate the region's connection to the Saugeen River and world-class fishing while encouraging visitors to explore local communities.

Artist Debbie Schenk designed the distinctive fish sculptures, which were fabricated by Freiburger Welding and prepared for artists by CSN Walkerton Collision. Local artists then transformed each fish into a one-of-a-kind work of art through a community design competition.

In 2012, many of the original sculptures were "called home" to Walkerton as part of a renewed focus on the community's growing reputation as a fly-fishing destination. Some original fish returned, while others remained in their home communities, leading to the creation of new sculptures and designs to add to Walkerton's collection.

Today, the tradition continues. Twelve fish sculptures can be found throughout Walkerton, each telling its own story through vibrant artwork created by local artists and graphic designers. Our newest community-based fish was installed in the Market Garden in downtown Walkerton in June 2026. Together, the 12 fish celebrate our connection to the Saugeen River, our creative community, and the spirit of exploration that inspired the project more than 20 years ago.

Whether you're a longtime resident or a first-time visitor, we invite you to follow the trail, discover each unique fish, explore local businesses and attractions, and get hooked on Walkerton.

Download the Fish Art Walking Tour map (coming soon!) and start your adventure today.