Lake Ontario Fishing Trip - Sodus Bay Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Professional Lake Ontario fishing charters with experienced captainAll equipment and lures provided for successful fishing experienceAccommodates up to 4 guests with additional capacity available
Ready to drop your lines into some of the Great Lakes' most productive waters? CohoMotion Charters has been putting anglers onto world-class fish in Lake Ontario's legendary Sodus Bay for years, and we're pumped to show you why this fishery keeps drawing folks back season after season. Whether you're chasing your first salmon or looking to add another trophy trout to your collection, our top-rated charter service delivers the complete Lake Ontario fishing experience you've been dreaming about.
Our Lake Ontario fishing charters run either 5 or 7 hours depending on what you're after, with both trips accommodating up to 4 anglers comfortably. The 7-hour adventure gives you maximum time to work different depths and structures, while the 5-hour option is perfect when you want to hit the prime bite windows without committing the whole day. We launch right from Sodus Bay, which puts us in striking distance of some seriously productive water within minutes of leaving the dock. The bay itself acts as a natural staging area where baitfish congregate, and that means hungry predators aren't far behind. Our experienced captain knows these waters like the back of his hand - from the deep-water thermoclines where salmon cruise to the nearshore drops that hold trophy browns. All your tackle, lures, and gear come included, so you can focus on what matters most: getting fish in the boat. We've got everything from downriggers and planer boards to the latest electronics that help us stay on top of the fish no matter where they're holding.
Lake Ontario fishing is all about covering water and presenting your baits at the right depths, which is why we rely heavily on trolling techniques that have proven themselves time and again in these waters. Our boat comes rigged with quality downriggers that let us precisely control lure depth - crucial when targeting salmon and trout that suspend in specific temperature zones throughout the water column. We'll run a spread of spoons, plugs, and flasher-fly combinations that have consistently produced fish in Sodus Bay waters. Planer boards extend our trolling width, allowing us to cover more water and avoid spooking fish directly under the boat. The electronics package includes fish finders and GPS that help us locate bait schools and mark productive spots for future passes. Water temperature monitoring is key since salmonids are extremely temperature-sensitive, especially during summer months when they seek cooler depths. Our tackle selection changes based on seasonal patterns and current conditions, but you can count on us having the right combination of colors, sizes, and actions to trigger strikes when fish are being finicky.
Atlantic Salmon in Lake Ontario are the crown jewel of Great Lakes fishing, and these acrobatic fighters will test every ounce of your angling skills. These chrome-bright beauties average 8-12 pounds but can push well into the teens, and their legendary jumping ability makes every hookup a heart-pounding experience. Spring and fall offer the best Atlantic salmon action when they move into shallower water and become more aggressive. What makes catching Atlantics so special is their incredible stamina - they'll make multiple runs and aerial displays that keep you guessing right until they hit the net.
Walleye fishing in Sodus Bay provides some of the most consistent action you'll find anywhere on Lake Ontario, with these marble-eyed predators offering excellent table fare to match their fighting ability. Most walleyes here run 3-6 pounds, though bigger fish pushing double digits show up regularly during peak seasons. Early morning and evening periods typically produce the hottest walleye bite, especially around structure and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. Their subtle bite requires attention to your rod tip, but once hooked, walleyes provide steady pressure and reliable action that keeps the cooler filling up.
Coho Salmon bring raw power and speed to Lake Ontario fishing, with these silver rockets averaging 5-8 pounds of pure energy that'll leave your arms burning. Known locally as "silvers," cohos are renowned for their blistering runs and acrobatic fights that often include multiple jumps and line-peeling sprints. Late spring through early fall provides prime coho opportunities, particularly when they're feeding heavily on alewives in the upper water column. The excitement of hooking a coho lies in their unpredictability - you never know if they'll sound deep or come flying out of the water next.
Brown Trout represent the ultimate challenge for Lake Ontario anglers, with these wary fish growing to impressive sizes while maintaining their reputation as the smartest fish in the lake. Trophy browns regularly exceed 10 pounds in these waters, and their cautious nature makes every catch a significant achievement. Spring and fall transitions offer the best brown trout fishing when these predators move shallow to feed aggressively before seasonal changes. What makes browns so appealing is their combination of size, intelligence, and fighting ability - they'll test your tackle and your patience in equal measure.
Chinook Salmon, better known as "kings," are the undisputed heavyweight champions of Lake Ontario fishing, with mature fish commonly reaching 15-25 pounds of muscle and attitude. These massive salmon provide the ultimate test of angler skill and equipment, capable of making runs that strip line off your reel faster than you thought possible. Summer months offer prime king salmon fishing when they cruise the deeper, cooler waters where our downrigger presentations shine. The thrill of battling a Lake Ontario king is something every serious angler needs to experience - there's simply nothing that compares to the raw power and determination these fish display when hooked.
Lake Ontario's Sodus Bay continues earning its reputation as one of the Great Lakes' premier fishing destinations, and our customer favorite charter service puts you right in the heart of the action. With seasonal patterns constantly changing and fish moving throughout these vast waters, having an experienced captain who knows where to find them makes all the difference between a good day
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweight champions of Lake Ontario, averaging 15-25 pounds with some monsters topping 30 pounds and 36 inches. These silver-sided bruisers with black spots stay deep, usually 60-120 feet down following thermoclines and baitfish schools. They're light-sensitive so we target them early morning, evening, or overcast days when they move up to feed. What makes kings special is that raw power - they'll strip line and test your drag like no other fish out here. The deep red meat is prized by serious anglers. Late spring through early fall are peak months when water temps are right. We run downriggers with flasher-fly combos, spoons, and plugs in the deeper water. Here's my secret: watch your fish finder for suspended schools of alewives around 80 feet - that's where the big kings are feeding and where you'll connect with a true Lake Ontario giant.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, are pure dynamite on the end of your line. These acrobatic fighters average 12-24 inches and 8-12 pounds, but can jump clean out of the water up to 6 feet when hooked. They've got that bright silver body with black spots on the back and tail, turning darker when spawning. In Lake Ontario, we find them cruising 20-60 feet down chasing alewives and smelt. Late spring through early fall are prime months when water temps hit their sweet spot. What makes cohos special is their aggressive strikes and aerial shows - they'll give you a workout. The orange-red meat is top-notch eating too. My go-to setup here is trolling spoons or plugs in bright colors like chartreuse and pink. Pro tip: when you see birds working over baitfish, get your lines down fast - cohos are likely feeding underneath and you're in for some serious action.
Salmo SalarAtlantic salmon are sleek, silver-bodied fish that average 28-30 inches and 8-12 pounds in Lake Ontario. They're closely related to brown trout and have that classic forked tail. These fish are anadromous, meaning they move between fresh and saltwater to spawn. What makes them special is they can spawn multiple times unlike their Pacific cousins. Guests love targeting them for their acrobatic fights and that prized orange-pink meat that's considered a delicacy. In Lake Ontario, we find them in deeper water during summer months, usually 40-80 feet down following baitfish schools. Spring and fall are prime times when they move closer to tributaries. One tip I always share: use downriggers with flasher-fly combos in early morning or late evening - that's when they're most active and feeding aggressively.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smartest fish in the lake and that's what makes them so rewarding to catch. These golden-brown beauties with black spots average 12-20 inches but can grow past 30 inches in Lake Ontario's rich waters. They prefer cooler water temps between 55-65°F and love structure like rocky drop-offs, tributary mouths, and deep holes. Fall is prime time when they feed aggressively before winter, though early morning and evening fish well year-round. What guests appreciate is their wariness - they make you work for every fish, plus the mild, sweet meat is excellent table fare. We find them anywhere from 15-80 feet depending on season and water temperature. They'll hit everything from small spoons to stickbaits. Local trick: during fall nights, try casting shallow near Sodus Point with small spinners - big browns cruise the shallows hunting and you might hook into a real trophy.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the gold standard for eating fish around here, averaging 15-20 inches with some real slabs pushing 30 inches and 8-10 pounds. Those silver eyes help them feed in low light, which is why we target them at dawn, dusk, and overcast days. They hang around structure - rock piles, drop-offs, and weed edges in 15-35 feet of water. Spring and fall are peak times when they move shallow to feed. What guests love most is the mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat on the dinner table. The fight's not flashy but they're scrappy and fun on lighter tackle. In Sodus Bay, I always recommend live minnows or nightcrawlers on a bottom bouncer rig. Here's the trick: troll slowly along those transition zones where sand meets rock - that's where they ambush baitfish and you'll find the bigger ones.
Lake Ontario