Half Day Salmon & Trout Fishing on Lake Ontario
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fourhour beginnerfriendly charter targeting salmon and trout speciesCaptain Matt provides all fishing equipment and personalized instructionAccommodates up to four guests on scenic Lake Ontario waters
Looking to wet a line on one of the Great Lakes' best fishing spots? Captain Matt's 4-hour Lake Ontario charter is exactly what you need. This beginner-friendly trip takes up to 4 anglers out to prime salmon and trout waters, where you'll learn the ropes while targeting some seriously impressive fish. No need to stress about gear – Captain Matt provides top-rated rods, reels, and tackle so you can focus on what matters: having fun and landing fish. Whether you're brand new to fishing or just want a relaxed day on the water with friends or family, this Lake Ontario adventure delivers the perfect mix of learning and action.
Your morning starts at the dock where Captain Matt will get you set up with quality gear and walk you through the basics. The boat heads out into Lake Ontario's productive waters, where the scenery alone is worth the trip – but you're here for the fish. This isn't a high-pressure situation where you need to know everything upfront. Captain Matt specializes in working with new anglers, breaking down techniques in simple terms and making sure everyone feels confident handling the gear. The 4-hour window gives you plenty of time to get comfortable, learn different approaches, and actually put fish in the boat. You'll be targeting multiple species, which keeps things interesting as different fish require slightly different tactics. The relaxed pace means there's time for questions, adjustments, and celebrating when someone hooks up.
Lake Ontario fishing is all about trolling – pulling lures behind the moving boat to cover water and find active fish. Captain Matt runs proven setups using downriggers and planer boards to get lures down to the right depth where salmon and trout are feeding. You'll learn how different lure colors and sizes work better at various times, and why trolling speed matters when targeting specific species. The rods are set in holders, but when a fish hits, you're the one fighting it. Captain Matt handles the technical stuff like adjusting depths and reading the fish finder, while you focus on learning proper rod handling and fighting techniques. Spoons, plugs, and cut bait all have their place in the tackle box, and you'll see how each one triggers strikes from different fish. The key is staying mobile and adjusting until you find what's working that day.
Atlantic Salmon are the crown jewel of Lake Ontario fishing, known for their acrobatic fights and beautiful silver sides. These fish average 8-15 pounds but can push much larger, and they're famous for jumping when hooked. Spring and fall offer the best action as they move closer to shore, and their aggressive nature makes them a favorite target for both new and experienced anglers. When an Atlantic hits your line, you'll know it – they don't give up easy.
Chinook Salmon, also called Kings, are the heavyweights of the lake. These bruisers commonly reach 20-30 pounds and provide some of the most memorable fights you'll experience. They prefer deeper, cooler water during summer months but move shallow in spring and fall. Chinooks are known for their powerful runs and stubborn nature once hooked. Landing one of these giants is a real accomplishment, especially for newer anglers.
Coho Salmon offer the perfect balance of size and fight, typically running 5-12 pounds with plenty of energy to spare. They're often more active near the surface than other salmon species, making them exciting to target. Cohos are known for their silver flanks and aggressive feeding behavior, often hitting lures with authority. Their willingness to bite and spirited fights make them a customer favorite on Lake Ontario charters.
Steelhead Trout are legendary fighters that punch well above their weight class. These chrome-bright fish average 6-12 pounds but fight like fish twice their size. Steelhead are known for their long runs and jumping ability, often clearing the water multiple times during a fight. They're present in Lake Ontario year-round but peak during spring and fall migrations. Their unpredictable nature keeps every hookup interesting.
Lake Trout are the native deep-water specialists of Lake Ontario, preferring cooler temperatures and rocky structure. These fish can live for decades and grow quite large, with 10-20 pounders being common catches. Lakers have a distinctive spotted pattern and provide steady, powerful fights rather than flashy jumps. They're most active during cooler months and early morning periods, making them a reliable target species for charter fishing.
Captain Matt's beginner-friendly Lake Ontario charter offers everything you need for a successful day on the water. The 4-hour format gives you enough time to learn techniques and catch fish without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. With quality gear provided and expert instruction included, you can focus on enjoying the experience and building confidence as an angler. The diverse mix of salmon and trout species keeps things exciting, and the small group size ensures personalized attention. Lake Ontario's world-class fishery combined with Captain Matt's patient teaching approach makes this the perfect introduction to Great Lakes fishing. Spots fill up quickly during peak season, so secure your date and get ready for a day you'll be talking about for years to come.
Meet the Viking, your ticket to prime salmon and trout waters on Lake Ontario. This restored 38-footer runs on twin 220HP Crusaders that'll get you to the fish fast, cruising at 27 knots to those productive offshore spots where the big ones bite. Built for serious angling, she's loaded with a fish finder to locate schools, GPS and radar for safe navigation, plus an icebox and fridge to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The flybridge gives you excellent visibility for spotting feeding fish, while the onboard kitchen, bed, and head mean you've got everything needed for a comfortable day chasing salmon and trout. With AC to beat the summer heat and a multimedia system for downtime between bites, the Viking handles up to 4 anglers with room to move around and fight fish properly. Captain Matt keeps her stocked with quality gear, so you can focus on learning the ropes and landing Lake Ontario's legendary salmon runs.
Salmo SalarAtlantic salmon average 28-30 inches and 8-12 pounds, with their distinctive silver sides and bronze coloring when spawning. In Lake Ontario, these fish prefer cooler depths and areas with good current flow. Spring through early summer offers the best action when water temps are right. What makes atlantics special is their ability to spawn multiple times, unlike their Pacific cousins. They put up a solid fight with impressive jumping ability, and their orange-pink meat is top-notch table fare. The key to success is fishing early morning or overcast days when they're most active. Try swinging lures at a 45-degree angle downstream - it mimics their natural feeding patterns and triggers aggressive strikes.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the giants of Lake Ontario, averaging 12-39 inches and 7-15 pounds, but 20-30 pounders aren't uncommon. These fish have silver sides, blue-green backs, and distinctive black gums. Chinooks are light-sensitive, so they stay deep during the day - think 60-100+ feet down. Early morning, evening, and overcast days bring the best fishing. What draws anglers is their sheer power and that premium reddish-pink meat. A big king will strip line like nothing else and test every knot. Since they prefer depths, downriggers and weighted lines are essential. Here's a local trick: use flashy spoons or plugs with some scent - kings rely heavily on their sense of smell to locate food in those deep, dark waters.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, typically run 12-30 inches and 8-12 pounds in our waters. They're known for being acrobatic fighters - these fish can jump up to 6 feet vertically when hooked. Look for them in calmer areas near structure like debris or drop-offs. Fall through spring gives you the best shot at cohos when they're actively feeding. Their bright silver sides and dark backs make them easy to identify, and that orange-red meat tastes fantastic. What anglers love most is their aggressive nature and spectacular aerial displays. Pro tip: use bright colors like chartreuse or pink in your lures - cohos are drawn to flashy presentations, especially in Lake Ontario's often murky conditions.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water specialists of Lake Ontario, averaging 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds. These grey-green fish with cream markings live in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake year-round. Spring right after ice-out and fall offer the best chances when they move up from extreme depths. Lakers are prized for their size and the challenge of fishing deep water - we're talking 80-150+ feet down. They're strong, steady fighters and excellent eating. The key is jigging techniques since they hug bottom structure in deep basins. My favorite approach is using heavy jigs tipped with soft plastics that imitate dying baitfish. Work them slowly - lakers are deliberate feeders and won't chase fast-moving baits like other species will.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are lake-run rainbow trout that average 24 inches but can reach 45 inches and 55 pounds. These silvery, streamlined fish with black spots prefer deeper, cooler water during summer but move shallow in spring and fall. Mid-fall through spring is prime time for steelhead fishing. They're absolute bruisers - living in open water makes them incredibly strong fighters compared to stream rainbows. The meat quality is excellent, and their long runs will test your drag system. Steelhead often suspend mid-water column, so don't just fish the bottom. My go-to trick is running spoons or plugs at varying depths until you find where they're holding - once you locate the school, the action can be fast and furious.
Lake Ontario