Multi Day Lake Ontario Salmon Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Two consecutive eighthour days targeting salmon and troutProfessional tackle and fish filleting services included dailyPrivate charters accommodate groups of 14 experienced anglers
When you're ready to get serious about Lake Ontario fishing, this two-day charter from Olcott Harbor is where the magic happens. Captain Brian Cook knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's designed this trip for anglers who want to maximize their time on the lake. We're talking about two full eight-hour days targeting the best salmon and trout fishing Lake Ontario has to offer. Based out of Olcott Harbor in Niagara County, you'll have access to some of the most productive waters in the eastern Great Lakes. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to experience world-class salmon fishing with a top-rated local captain who lives and breathes these waters.
This multi-day package gives us the flexibility to really work the water and find where the fish are holding. Day one, we'll start early and spend time reading the conditions – water temperature, current breaks, and bait movements that tell us where the salmon are staging. The extended timeframe means we can adjust our strategy between days based on what we learned. Some mornings we might run out to deeper water for mature Kings, other times we'll work the thermal bars closer to shore where Cohos like to hunt. Captain Brian provides all the professional-grade rods, reels, and tackle you'll need, plus he handles all the fish filleting at the end of each day so you go home with coolers full of fresh fillets. The boat accommodates up to 6 anglers comfortably, making it perfect for families or groups of friends looking to share this customer favorite Lake Ontario experience.
Lake Ontario salmon fishing is all about trolling, and we run a sophisticated spread that covers multiple depths and speeds. We'll typically run downriggers to get our presentations down to where the big Kings are cruising, often 60 to 120 feet deep depending on the thermocline. Dipsy divers help us cover the mid-water column where Cohos and smaller Kings often feed, while our leadcore and copper lines work the upper water column. Spoons, plugs, and cut bait are our go-to presentations, with colors and sizes adjusted based on conditions and what the fish are telling us. The beauty of the two-day format is that we can fine-tune our approach – if the fish were hitting bright spoons in 80 feet of water on day one, we'll start there on day two and expand from that pattern. Captain Brian's been running these waters for years and knows exactly how to read the electronics to stay on productive schools of fish.
Chinook Salmon are the crown jewel of Lake Ontario fishing, and these monsters can exceed 30 pounds when they're fully mature. Kings typically stage in deeper water during summer months, often relating to temperature breaks and bait schools. What makes them so exciting to catch is their incredible strength – when a big King hits your line, there's no mistaking it. They'll make screaming runs and test every bit of your drag system. Peak season runs from July through September, with August often producing the largest fish as they prepare for their spawning runs. Anglers love Kings because they're not just great fighters, they're also excellent table fare when caught in deeper, cooler water.
Coho Salmon bring a different kind of excitement to Lake Ontario fishing. These silver bullets are known for their acrobatic fights, often jumping repeatedly when hooked. Cohos typically run smaller than Kings, averaging 8-15 pounds, but what they lack in size they make up for in attitude. They tend to feed higher in the water column and are more aggressive during low-light periods. Late summer and early fall are prime time for Cohos as they school up near tributary mouths. Many anglers actually prefer targeting Cohos because of their willingness to bite and spectacular aerial displays.
Lake Trout represent the native predator of Lake Ontario and can provide consistent action throughout the fishing season. These deep-water dwellers often exceed 20 pounds and are known for their bulldogging fights in the depths. Lakers stay deep year-round, making them a reliable target when salmon fishing slows down. What's really exciting about Lake Trout is their size potential – trophy fish over 25 pounds are caught every season in these waters. They're also one of the best eating fish in the lake, with firm, flaky meat that's perfect for grilling or smoking.
Steelhead Trout add another dimension to our Lake Ontario fishing experience. These chrome-bright fighters are essentially rainbow trout that have adapted to lake living, and they put up some of the most memorable fights you'll experience. Steelhead are known for their long, powerful runs and occasional jumps. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but summer fishing can be productive in deeper water. What makes Steelhead special is their unpredictability – they might hit a spoon trolled at 12 feet or a cut bait fished at 80 feet. Their fighting ability and beautiful appearance make them a customer favorite.
Atlantic Salmon represent one of the most exciting conservation success stories on Lake Ontario. These fish were stocked to restore a native species, and they've adapted well to the lake environment. Atlantics are known for their incredible jumping ability and stamina, often making multiple leaps when hooked. They typically run smaller than Kings but larger than Cohos, averaging 10-18 pounds. What's really special about Atlantics is their willingness to take a variety of presentations and their tendency to stay near the surface, making for visual excitement when they're feeding.
This renowned two-day Lake Ontario fishing experience sells out quickly during peak season, especially for weekend dates. The combination of Captain Brian's local expertise, professional equipment, and prime Olcott Harbor location makes this a trending choice among serious salmon anglers. Remember to bring your valid New York State fishing license – it's required for all participants. The boat is equipped with everything you need for a successful trip,
The Ridge Runner is a serious angler's dream—a spacious 30-foot Penn Yan Prowler built for Lake Ontario's challenging waters. Twin Mercruiser engines deliver the power needed to reach those productive salmon and trout spots quickly, while Lowrance and Furuno electronics help locate fish in deeper waters. The roomy layout comfortably handles up to 6 anglers with plenty of space for casting and fighting big Kings and Cohos. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long summer days, while the multimedia system provides entertainment between bites. GPS navigation ensures efficient runs to the hottest fishing zones, and the fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools. Fully USCG equipped and insured, this charter boat meets all safety standards for serious Lake Ontario fishing. Captain Brian Cook's setup is perfect for multi-day adventures when you want to maximize your time on the water and really dial in on the fish.
Salmo SalarAtlantic salmon are beautiful fish averaging 28-30 inches and 8-12 pounds, with their distinctive silver bodies and forked tails. Unlike their Pacific cousins, these fish can survive spawning multiple times. They're anadromous, moving between fresh and salt water, which gives them that bright silver coloration and excellent table quality. In Lake Ontario, we typically find them in deeper, cooler waters during summer months. The best fishing happens during spring and fall when they're more active near the surface. What makes them special is their jumping ability and strong fight once hooked. Here's a tip from years on the water - when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them in. Their mouths are softer than kings, so let them tire themselves out with those acrobatic jumps before bringing them to the net.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook, or King salmon, are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario - the largest of all salmon species. These bruisers typically run 12-39 inches and 7-15 pounds, but 20-30 pounders aren't uncommon here. They're light-sensitive fish that prefer deeper, darker water, usually holding 80-200 feet down during bright days. Early morning and evening fishing produces the best results when they move up to feed. Kings are bulldogs - they don't jump much but make powerful, sustained runs that can strip line fast. The reddish-pink meat is outstanding table fare. Their blue-green backs and silver sides with black spots make them easy to identify. Since they're deep dwellers, we use downriggers and lead core to get baits down to them. Here's something I tell all my clients: when you hook a king, tighten your drag gradually as the fight progresses. They'll tire, but it takes patience and steady pressure.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, are some of the most acrobatic fish you'll encounter on Lake Ontario. These beauties average 12-30 inches and pack serious fight in their 8-12 pound frames. They can jump up to 6 feet vertically when hooked, making for some memorable battles. You'll find them roaming mid-depths, usually 40-80 feet down, following baitfish schools. Spring through early summer offers the best action when they're actively feeding. Their bright orange meat makes excellent eating, and guests love the aggressive strikes and aerial shows. The key to landing coho is keeping your drag smooth - they'll make several hard runs and jumps. One trick I've learned is to use slightly smaller spoons in bright colors like chartreuse or pink. Coho have great eyesight and will often hit flashy lures when kings won't even look.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water kings of the Great Lakes, living in the coldest, deepest parts of Lake Ontario year-round. These gray-green giants with cream-colored spots are the largest of the char family, commonly reaching 15-40 pounds and 24-36 inches. They're homebodies that rarely venture above 100 feet except during spring turnover when we can find them shallower. Summer fishing means going deep - sometimes 150-300 feet down where the water stays cold. They're not flashy fighters but are incredibly strong, making long, steady runs. The white meat is excellent eating with a unique flavor. Lake trout are most active in low-light conditions and overcast days. Since they live so deep, jigging is the most effective technique. Here's my go-to method: use a heavy jig or spoon, drop it to bottom, then work it 10-20 feet off the deck with sharp upward snaps followed by controlled drops.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that have lived in the big water, growing larger and stronger than their stream cousins. These chrome-sided fighters average 24 inches but can reach 45 inches and over 20 pounds in Lake Ontario. They're incredibly streamlined and built for speed, spending most of their time in open water chasing baitfish. Fall through spring gives you the best shot at them, especially when water temps drop and they move shallower. What sets steelhead apart is their endurance - they'll make long, powerful runs that test your equipment and patience. The meat is excellent, pink and firm. They prefer cooler water, so look for them in 50-100 feet during summer. Pro tip: when fighting a steelhead, keep constant pressure but let them run. They'll often jump repeatedly, so bow to them when they go airborne to avoid breaking them off.
Lake Ontario