5.0(1 Reviews)Lake Ontario Ice Fishing Trips | Full Day Trip
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Fishing
Full-day ice fishing adventure targeting salmon and troutEight hours on frozen Lake Ontario with experienced guidesAll equipment provided for maximum comfort and safety
Picture this: you're standing on the frozen expanse of Lake Ontario, breathing in that crisp winter air while your line disappears into the dark water below. This isn't just any ice fishing trip – it's a full eight hours with seasoned guides who know exactly where the big fish are hanging out. We're talking salmon, brown trout, and smallmouth bass that'll make your reel scream. All your gear's covered, safety's our top priority, and whether you're chasing that trophy shot for Instagram or just want to feel the tug of something serious on the other end, this day on the ice delivers everything a real angler craves.
When you roll up to meet us, you'll see we've got everything dialed in. Our experienced guides have been reading Lake Ontario's winter patterns for years, and they'll get you set up on productive ice where the fish are actually biting. We're not talking about sitting in one spot all day hoping for luck – these guides move around, read the electronics, and put you on fish. The beauty of a full-day trip means we've got time to work different depths, try various presentations, and really maximize your shots at landing something memorable. You'll stay warm in our heated shelters, but don't worry about missing the action – when something hits, you'll know it. The guides keep things lively, sharing local knowledge and techniques that'll make you a better angler long after this trip ends.
We've got you covered with top-notch ice fishing setups designed specifically for Lake Ontario's conditions. You'll be working with sensitive rods that let you feel even the lightest bite, paired with reels smooth enough to handle those screaming runs when a big salmon decides to test your drag. Our guides will show you the jigging techniques that work best here – sometimes it's an aggressive snap and flutter, other times it's barely twitching your bait. We use everything from spoons and jigs to live bait presentations, depending on what the fish are telling us that day. The electronics help us locate structure and mark fish, but it's the guide's experience reading those screens that puts you on the productive spots. Safety gear is always on hand, and our shelters keep you comfortable while you work your presentations in the strike zone.
"Highly recommended. Sean was awesome and took my 9 year old under his wing sharing his fishing knowledge with him. Wasn't a dull moment on the lake. When Sean said we would catch some big bass, he wasn't kidding. I will be taking another charter with him." - Alan
Smallmouth bass in Lake Ontario are absolute tanks, and catching them through the ice is a whole different ballgame than summer fishing. These bronze backs typically range from 2-5 pounds, but the lake kicks out some serious heavyweights that'll surprise you. During winter, they school up in deeper water around structure, making them perfect targets for ice fishing. What makes them so fun is their fight – even in cold water, a smallmouth will pull drag and make multiple runs. They're aggressive feeders when you find them, often hitting jigs tipped with minnows or worked vertically along drop-offs.
Coho salmon are one of the most exciting fish you can target through the ice on Lake Ontario. These silver rockets typically run 5-10 pounds and fight like fish twice their size. They cruise in mid-depth water columns, often suspending over deeper areas where they feed on baitfish. When a coho hits your presentation, get ready for a show – they'll make blistering runs and acrobatic jumps that'll test your equipment and skills. Winter cohos are in prime condition, having fed heavily throughout the fall, making them both challenging to catch and rewarding to land.
Steelhead trout are the ultimate prize for many Lake Ontario ice anglers, and for good reason. These chrome-bright fighters average 6-12 pounds and are known for their spectacular aerial displays and never-give-up attitude. They prefer deeper, cooler water during winter and can be finicky feeders, making them a true test of angling skill. When you hook into a fresh steelhead, you're in for a battle that could last 10-15 minutes of pure adrenaline. They're masters at using their head shakes and runs to throw hooks, so stay sharp and keep that drag set right.
Chinook salmon, or kings as we call them, are the apex predators of Lake Ontario and the fish that dreams are made of. These monsters can push 20+ pounds and provide fights that'll leave your arms sore the next day. They patrol deeper waters during winter, feeding on schools of alewives and smelt. Landing a king through the ice is a badge of honor – they're powerful, stubborn, and will use every trick in the book to break you off. The guides know the specific areas where these giants roam, and having that local knowledge is crucial for success.
Lake trout are the natives here, and they're perfectly adapted to Lake Ontario's deep, cold environment. These spotted beauties can live for decades and grow to impressive sizes, with fish over 15 pounds regularly caught through the ice. They're bottom dwellers that love rocky structure and drop-offs, making them predictable targets when you know where to look. Lakers fight differently than salmon – more of a bulldogging, head-shaking battle that tests your tackle. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite among anglers who like to take a fish or two home for dinner.
This full-day ice fishing adventure gives you the complete Lake Ontario winter experience – eight solid hours of fishing some of the most productive waters in the Great Lakes region. With all equipment provided and expert guides putting you on fish, you're set up for success from the moment you step on the ice. The small group size means personalized attention and better fishing
Our comfortable motorboat gets you out to the prime ice fishing spots on Lake Ontario where the big salmon and brown trout are biting. Built for stability in rough water, this spacious vessel gives you and two other anglers plenty of room to fish without getting in each other's way. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when positioning over structure, while the GPS and fish finder help locate those winter holding areas where trophy fish stack up. Whether you're jigging for smallmouth bass or working the depths for lake trout, this boat handles Lake Ontario's conditions with ease, keeping you comfortable during those long winter days on the water. Perfect for serious anglers who want to maximize their time targeting Ontario's cold-water species.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon, known as kings, are the giants of Lake Ontario reaching 30+ pounds and 39 inches. These silver-sided bruisers with black spots everywhere are the ultimate trophy fish. They stay deep during winter, hugging bottom structure where they feed on large baitfish. What makes kings special is their raw power - when you hook one, it's like being tied to a freight train. They'll strip line on long, powerful runs that can last 20 minutes. The reddish-orange meat is rich and flaky, perfect for smoking or grilling. Winter ice fishing can produce massive kings when you find them staged in deep basins. Here's the key: kings are light-shy and stay deep, so use heavy jigs or spoons to get down 80+ feet where they live. Fish early morning in low light conditions and be ready for the fight of your life.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, are dynamic fighters that run 12-30 inches and typically weigh 8-12 pounds in Lake Ontario. These chrome-sided salmon with black-spotted backs are famous for their aerial shows - they'll jump clean out of the water when hooked. During winter, they suspend in mid-water columns over deeper basins, feeding on baitfish. What draws anglers to coho is their aggressive nature and acrobatic fights that can last several minutes. The bright orange-red meat is top-shelf eating, rich in flavor and perfect for grilling or smoking. Winter fishing through the ice can be productive when they're schooled up. Pro tip: coho often follow baitfish schools, so if you mark fish on your sonar but aren't getting bites, try moving your presentation up or down in the water column to match where they're feeding.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of Lake Ontario, commonly reaching 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds. These grey-green char with cream markings live in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake year-round. Lakers are slow growers that can live decades, making big ones true trophies. They fight differently than other trout - more of a steady, powerful battle than flashy jumps. What makes them special is their size potential and the challenge of finding them in vast, deep water. The light pink meat is mild and flaky, great for smoking. Winter ice fishing targets them in 60-120 feet of water where they suspend near bottom. Pro tip: lakers prefer low-light conditions and overcast days. Use large, flashy spoons or jigs with glow colors, and fish them with a slow, steady jigging motion rather than aggressive snaps to trigger strikes.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are scrappy fighters that average 18-20 inches and 2-6 pounds in Lake Ontario. These bronze-colored fish with dark vertical bars love rocky bottoms and structure where they ambush prey. During winter, they hold in deeper water but stay active enough to bite through the ice. What makes them special is their attitude - pound for pound, they're some of the strongest fighters you'll hook. They'll jump, dive, and test your drag like fish twice their size. The meat is firm with a clean, mild flavor that's perfect for a shore lunch. Here's a local tip: when jigging for smallmouth through the ice, use a subtle approach. They can be finicky in cold water, so work your jig slowly with gentle lifts rather than aggressive snaps. Sometimes barely moving it off bottom is all it takes.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are the ultimate winter warriors in Lake Ontario, averaging 24 inches but capable of reaching 45 inches and 20+ pounds. These silvery, streamlined fish are essentially lake-run rainbow trout that develop the fighting power of their ocean-going cousins. They prefer deep, cold water during winter and are known for their bulldogging runs and surprising jumps. What sets steelhead apart is their stamina - they'll fight hard for 10-15 minutes, testing every knot in your setup. The pink meat is excellent table fare with a clean, mild flavor. Winter is prime time for steelhead through the ice when they're feeding heavily on smelt and alewives. Local trick: steelhead are light-sensitive, so fish early morning or late evening for best results. Use bright spoons or jigs with glow finishes to get their attention in the depths.
5.0 out of 5.0Highly recommended. Sean was awesome and took my 9 year old under his wing sharing his fishing knowledge with him. Wasn't a dull m...
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