Lake Ontario Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Professional Lake Ontario fishing charters with skilled captainSeven-hour trips accommodate up to four guests comfortablyQuality equipment and lures provided for successful fishing
Picture yourself casting lines into the deep, productive waters of Lake Ontario from beautiful Sodus Bay. This is where serious anglers come to tangle with some of the Great Lakes' most prized game fish. Our 7-hour charter puts you right in the action with a skilled captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand. We're talking about a full day of fishing where the cooler fills up and the fish stories get better by the hour. With top-quality gear, proven lures, and local knowledge that can't be bought, we set you up for the kind of day that keeps you coming back season after season.
Your day starts early at Sodus Bay, where you'll meet your captain and get the lowdown on conditions and the game plan. Lake Ontario is massive - we're talking about 7,340 square miles of fishable water - but your guide knows exactly where the fish are holding. The boat is rigged and ready with downriggers, planer boards, and all the electronics you need to locate schools and structure. You'll head out into depths ranging from 40 to 200 feet, depending on what's biting and where the thermocline is sitting. The scenery is pretty sweet too, with rolling hills and shoreline that stretches as far as you can see. Weather can change quickly out here, but that's part of what makes Lake Ontario fishing so dynamic. One minute you're in calm water, the next you're working through some chop - but that's when the big fish often bite.
We run a serious trolling operation here, not some rinky-dink setup. The boat is equipped with multiple downriggers that get your lures down to where the fish are cruising. We're typically pulling spoons, plugs, and cut bait anywhere from 15 to 150 feet down, depending on the season and water temperature. Planer boards spread your lines wide, covering more water and keeping lures away from boat noise. The sonar and GPS units help us mark fish and stay on productive structure like drop-offs, humps, and temperature breaks. You don't need to be an expert - the captain handles boat positioning and lure selection while you focus on fighting fish. When a rod goes off, you'll know it. These Lake Ontario salmon and trout hit hard and make long runs that'll test your drag and your arms. We provide all rods, reels, tackle, and bait. Just bring yourself and maybe some snacks for the long haul.
Atlantic Salmon are the crown jewel of Lake Ontario fishing right now. These fish are staging one of the greatest comeback stories in Great Lakes history. They're typically 8 to 15 pounds, with some bruisers pushing 20-plus. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavy in 60 to 120 feet of water. What makes them special is their incredible fight - they jump, they run, they dig deep. It's the kind of battle that makes your heart race and your drag scream.
Walleye fishing here is world-class, especially during the spring spawn when they move shallow. These golden beauties average 3 to 6 pounds, but don't let the size fool you - they're table fare champions. Summer finds them deeper, suspended over drop-offs and humps. They bite best at dawn and dusk, and when you find one, there's usually a school nearby. The limit is generous, so you can actually take some home for a proper fish fry.
Coho Salmon are pure adrenaline on a fishing rod. They're smaller than Kings, usually 5 to 12 pounds, but pound-for-pound they might be the hardest fighting fish in the lake. Late summer and early fall is when they really turn on, and they'll hit everything from spoons to flies. Their silver sides and acrobatic jumps make every hookup a show.
Brown Trout are the ghosts of Lake Ontario - smart, elusive, and absolutely beautiful. They can grow huge here, with fish over 20 pounds caught every season. They prefer deeper, colder water and are often found around rocky structure. What makes them special is their wariness - they don't come easy, but when you connect with a big brown, it's a fish you'll remember forever.
Chinook Salmon are the kings for a reason. These are the biggest, strongest fish swimming in Lake Ontario, regularly hitting 20 to 30 pounds with some true giants over 35. They show up in numbers during late summer and fall, staging near river mouths and deep structure. The fight is legendary - long runs, deep dives, and enough power to make your arms burn. Landing a big King is a rite of passage for Great Lakes anglers.
Lake Ontario fishing doesn't wait around for anyone. The best days fill up fast, especially during peak salmon and trout seasons. Whether you're looking to check some species off your bucket list or just want to get into some serious fishing action, this charter delivers. Our 7-hour trips give you the time to really work the water and put multiple species in the boat. The captain provides everything you need tackle-wise, so all you have to do is show up ready to fish. At $700 for up to 4 people, you're looking at less than $25 per person per hour for guided fishing on one of the world's best salmon and trout lakes. Additional anglers are just $100 each, making this a solid deal for groups. Don't sleep on this - Lake Ontario fishing is as good as it gets in the Great Lakes, and Sodus Bay puts you right in the heart of the action.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweight champions of Lake Ontario - these monsters average 15-25 pounds but can easily hit 30+ pounds of raw power. They're built like torpedoes with blue-green backs and silver sides covered in black spots. You'll find them in deeper water during bright conditions since they're light-sensitive, usually 40-80 feet down near thermoclines and baitfish schools. Spring through early fall produces the best action, with early morning and evening being peak times. The fight is legendary - long, powerful runs combined with their sheer size makes landing one a real accomplishment. The red-orange meat is premium table fare. They prefer trolled presentations with downriggers to get deep where they live. My go-to trick? Watch your fishfinder for bait schools and work your spoons just above them at varying speeds.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon are pure acrobats - they'll jump 6 feet straight up when hooked and put on a show you won't forget. These silver rockets typically run 18-24 inches and weigh 8-12 pounds of solid muscle. They cruise the open waters but move toward river mouths and structure when feeding actively. Early morning and evening are your best bets, especially during spring and fall runs when they're pushing shallow. What makes coho special is that aerial display combined with hard runs that'll smoke your reel. The orange-red meat is fantastic eating too. They're not as picky as some salmon, but they do like bright colors. My local trick? Run your spoons and plugs with chartreuse or pink - seems to trigger strikes when they're being finicky about natural baits.
Salmo SalarAtlantic salmon are the prized catch here on Lake Ontario, running 28-30 inches and averaging 8-12 pounds of pure muscle. These silver beauties are built for speed with their sleek bodies and forked tails. They cruise the deeper waters during daylight but move up toward structure and drop-offs when feeding. Spring through early summer gives you the best shot at hooking one as they're most active in cooler water temps. What makes them special is that explosive fight - they'll leap clear out of the water and make long runs that'll test your drag. The meat is top-shelf too, that pink flesh everyone talks about. My tip? When trolling, keep your spoons and plugs moving at different speeds until you find what they want that day.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smart ones - they didn't get their reputation by being easy. These golden-brown fighters average 12-20 inches but can push 30+ inches in Lake Ontario's rich waters, weighing anywhere from 2-10 pounds. They love cooler water around 55-65 degrees and stick to deeper structure during the day, moving shallow at dawn and dusk. Fall is prime time when they feed aggressively before winter. What makes them special is their wariness - they're educated fish that require finesse. The fight is strong and steady, and the meat has a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. They'll hit both flies and hardware, but presentation matters. Local tip: fish near creek mouths at night during fall. Use smaller spoons in silver or gold, and keep your approach quiet - these fish spook easily.
Sander VitreusWalleye are Lake Ontario's best eating fish, hands down. These golden-sided beauties average 15-25 inches and pack some serious weight. You'll find them hanging around rock piles, weed edges, and drop-offs in 15-30 feet of water during the day. Come evening, they move shallow to feed - that's when those big silver eyes really shine. Spring and fall are prime time when water temps hit that sweet spot around 65-70 degrees. The fight isn't flashy, but they're smart fish that'll test your skills. What really gets people excited is the dinner table - firm, white, flaky meat with zero fishy taste. Pro tip: when jigging, use a slow lift-and-drop technique. Let that jig hit bottom, then work it just off the rocks where they like to ambush baitfish.
Lake Ontario