Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Morning Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Six-hour morning charter targets salmon and trout speciesProfessional trolling techniques using downriggers and planer boardsAll equipment and live bait included for groups
When you're looking for serious fishing action on Lake Ontario, Captain William Watkins knows exactly where the fish are holding. This six-hour morning charter runs from April through September, targeting the big kings, cohos, steelhead, browns, lake trout, and walleye that make Ontario one of the Great Lakes' top fishing destinations. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped 27-foot Sportcraft with all the professional gear included, so whether you're a weekend warrior or you've never held a rod before, William's got you covered. The morning bite is often the best bite, and with space for up to six anglers, this is your chance to get in on some world-class Great Lakes fishing.
You'll meet William at the dock before sunrise, when the coffee's hot and the lake is glassy calm. The 27-foot Sportcraft is rigged and ready with everything you need for a productive day chasing salmon and trout. William's been guiding these waters for years, and he knows the seasonal patterns, temperature breaks, and structure that hold fish throughout the spring, summer, and fall months. The morning departure gives you the best shot at active fish before the boat traffic picks up and the sun gets high. You'll be trolling the productive zones where baitfish concentrate, and William adjusts tactics based on what the fish are telling him each day. Don't worry about bringing anything except your fishing license and maybe a cooler for your catch - rods, reels, tackle, and live bait are all provided.
This isn't just dragging lures behind the boat and hoping for the best. William runs a serious trolling spread using downriggers, planer boards, and dipsey divers to cover different depths and water columns where salmon and trout are feeding. The downriggers let you get baits down to precise depths where the thermocline holds baitfish, while the planer boards spread your presentation wide to cover more water. Dipsey divers add another dimension, running at angles to fill in the gaps. You'll be using everything from spoons and plugs to cut bait and live offerings, depending on what the fish are hitting. The 27-foot Sportcraft handles the big water comfortably and has all the electronics to locate fish and track your spread. William reads the water temperature, watches for bait schools on the sonar, and adjusts the trolling speed and lure selection based on conditions.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario, and for good reason. These bruising fighters can push 30 pounds or more, and when one hits your downrigger rod, you'll know it immediately. The best chinook fishing typically runs from late spring through early fall, with fish staging in different depths as water temperatures change. They're notorious for their powerful runs and aerial displays, making them the trophy fish most anglers dream about landing.
Coho Salmon might be smaller than their chinook cousins, but pound for pound they're some of the scrappiest fish in the lake. Cohos are acrobatic fighters that love to jump, and they'll test your drag and your nerves with blistering runs toward the surface. They're often found in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. Peak coho action often coincides with the chinook bite, making for exciting mixed bags.
Steelhead Trout are Lake Ontario's marathon runners, built for speed and endurance. These chrome-bright fighters are incredibly athletic, known for long runs and spectacular jumps that'll have you scrambling to keep up. Steelhead can be caught throughout the season, but they're especially active during cooler water periods in spring and fall. Landing a fresh steelhead on light tackle is one of Great Lakes fishing's premier experiences.
Brown Trout are the crafty veterans of Lake Ontario, often the most challenging to consistently catch but incredibly rewarding when you do. These fish are known for their wariness and fighting ability, often hugging structure or deeper water during daylight hours. Browns can grow quite large in Ontario's rich waters, and their golden flanks and spotted sides make them one of the most beautiful fish you'll encounter.
Lake Trout are the deep-water specialists, often found in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake where oxygen levels stay high year-round. These native char are built for the depths, with a more subtle fight than salmon but impressive size potential. Lakers are particularly active during spring and fall when they move into shallower water, making them more accessible to trolling presentations.
Walleye might not jump like salmon or run like steelhead, but they're incredibly popular for their excellent table fare and consistent bite. Ontario's walleye population has been strong, and these golden-sided fighters provide steady action when salmon fishing slows down. They're often caught as bonus fish while trolling for salmon, especially around structure and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish.
Lake Ontario's salmon and trout fishing is renowned across the Great Lakes region, and William's morning charters consistently produce fish for anglers of all skill levels. The six-hour format gives you plenty of time to work different areas and techniques while the fish are most active. With professional gear provided and a captain who knows these waters inside and out, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard. The season runs April through September, so there's a wide window to get out there, but the best dates fill up fast as word gets around about the hot bite. Whether you're looking to land your first Great Lakes salmon or add to your trophy collection, this charter puts you on fish with a guide who's dedicated to making sure you have a productive day on the water.
Our 27-foot Sportcraft cuts through Lake Ontario's waters at a steady 21mph cruise, powered by 300HP to get you to the productive fishing zones fast. Built specifically for these big water charters, she handles six anglers comfortably while Captain William runs downriggers, planer boards, and dipsey divers to put you on salmon and trout. The onboard fish finder marks schools and structure, while GPS keeps us on the hottest spots. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the six-hour morning trip. From April through September, this fishing machine targets kings, cohos, steelhead, browns, lake trout, and walleye using pro-grade rods, reels, and live bait. Perfect for rookies or seasoned anglers looking to tangle with Lake Ontario's finest game fish.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smartest fish in Lake Ontario - they didn't earn their reputation as "educated" trout for nothing. Most range 18-26 inches and 3-8 pounds, with golden-brown backs covered in black and red spots. These fish are structure-oriented, hanging around rocky reefs, drop-offs, and near tributary mouths where they can ambush baitfish. They're most active during spring and fall when water temperatures hit 55-65 degrees, and they feed heavily at night. Browns are prized for their wariness and fighting ability - they'll make you work for every fish. The meat is firm and mild, some of the best table fare you'll find. Spring and fall offer the best chances, especially around the tributaries during their spawning runs. When trolling, I like to run small, natural-colored spoons or stick baits tight to structure - browns won't chase lures far like salmon will.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon, or "kings," are the heavyweight champions of Lake Ontario. These bruisers average 15-25 pounds, with 30+ pounders caught every season. They've got that classic salmon build - silver sides, blue-green backs, and black spots covering their heads and fins. Kings stay deep most of the time, usually 80-150 feet down following the thermocline and baitfish schools. They're light-sensitive, so dawn and dusk provide the best action, though we catch them all day when conditions are right. What makes them special is the combination of size and fight - a big king will strip line off your reel like you wouldn't believe. The meat is rich, orange-red, and perfect for the grill or smoker. My secret is running large spoons or plugs deep on the downriggers, and don't be afraid to use heavy tackle - these fish will test every knot you tie.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, are some of the most acrobatic fish in Lake Ontario. These 8-12 pound rockets will jump clear out of the water multiple times during a fight, making them a favorite for first-time salmon anglers. They've got that classic salmon look - dark blue-green backs with bright silver sides and black spots on their tails. Coho prefer the upper water column, typically 20-60 feet down, and they're aggressive feeders that'll hit spoons, plugs, and flies. Peak season runs May through September, with some of the hottest action in early summer. The meat is that beautiful orange-red color salmon are known for, with rich flavor that's perfect grilled or smoked. When targeting coho, I run bright spoons like orange or chartreuse on our planer boards - they can't resist the flash and action in the clear water.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that have adapted to life in the Great Lakes, and they fight like nothing else in these waters. Most run 24-30 inches and 6-12 pounds of pure muscle. These silver bullets prefer cooler water and structure - we find them around tributary mouths, thermal bars, and temperature breaks. They're most active spring through fall, with peak fishing in May and September when water temps hit that sweet spot around 50-60 degrees. What sets steelhead apart is their stamina - they'll make long, powerful runs that'll test your drag and your patience. The meat is pink and firm, similar to salmon but with a cleaner taste. These fish are light-sensitive, so early morning and evening are prime time. My go-to setup is running small spoons or stick baits on the downriggers, usually 40-80 feet down where the cool water holds them.
Sander VitreusWalleye are part of the perch family and one of the best eating fish you'll find in Lake Ontario. They typically run 12-20 inches, though we see some pushing 25+ inches out there. These golden-colored fish have those distinctive glassy eyes that help them hunt in low light - which is exactly when they bite best. During the day, walleye stay deep around structure like drop-offs and rock piles, usually 15-30 feet down. They're most active at dawn and dusk when they move shallow to feed. What makes them special is that firm, white, flaky meat with virtually no fishy taste. When we're trolling for them, I like to run our downriggers just off the bottom with small spoons or body baits. Pro tip: slow down your trolling speed when targeting walleye - they prefer a more subtle presentation than the salmon.
Salmon River