April And May Lake Ontario Brown Trout Special
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Sixhour guided trip targeting brown trout and steelheadAll trolling gear and fish filleting services includedPeak spring fishing season on Lake Ontario waters
When the ice melts off Lake Ontario and those first warm April days hit, something magical happens in the waters around Sodus Point. The browns start prowling the shallows, steelhead are still fresh from their spawning runs, and lake trout begin their annual migration patterns. This is hands-down the best time to get on the water for some of the most consistent action you'll see all year. Our 6-hour guided trip puts you right in the heart of it, targeting the shoreline structure where these fish stack up like cordwood waiting for an easy meal.
This isn't your typical summer trolling grind. Spring fishing on Ontario is a whole different beast – we're working shallow water, hitting the productive zones where fish are concentrated and hungry after a long winter. Your group of four will have the boat to yourselves, which means more room to move around and better chances for everyone to get into fish. We launch right from Sodus Point, so you're not burning daylight getting to the fishing grounds. Within minutes, we're setting lines and working the areas where I've been putting clients on fish for years. The early season bite can be absolutely lights-out when conditions align, and April through May is when everything comes together perfectly. You'll be using light tackle that lets you feel every head shake and run – none of that heavy downrigger gear that takes the sport out of it.
We're running specialized spring setups that work these fish up close and personal. Think long-lining with planer boards, working the thermocline breaks, and hitting specific depth ranges where fish are feeding aggressively. All the gear is provided – premium rods, reels, and tackle that's designed for this type of fishing. We're not just dragging baits around hoping something happens. Every lure choice, every speed adjustment, every direction change is based on reading the water, watching the fish finder, and understanding how these species behave during the spring transition. You'll learn why certain spoons work better than others, how water temperature affects fish location, and what to look for when you're out on your own. The boat stays organized with four dedicated fishing stations, so everyone stays in the action without tangled lines or crossed rods.
Brown trout are the stars of this show, and for good reason. These fish average 8-12 pounds during the spring bite, with plenty of opportunities for something bigger. They're aggressive, they fight like crazy, and they're absolutely beautiful fish with those distinctive orange and red spots. Browns patrol the shoreline structure looking for alewives and smelt, which makes them perfect targets for our light-tackle approach. Steelhead are still in the system from their spawning runs, and these chrome-bright fish will test your drag system with long, powerful runs that can peel line faster than you'd expect. Lake trout add another dimension to the mix – these deep-water predators move shallow during the spring turnover, giving you shots at fish that most anglers never see. Coho salmon start showing up as the season progresses, bringing their acrobatic fighting style and silver-sided beauty. Chinook salmon, the kings of the Great Lakes, round out the possibilities with fish that can easily top 20 pounds and provide the fight of a lifetime.
Brown trout are what dreams are made of on Lake Ontario. These fish have adapted perfectly to the lake environment, growing fat on the abundant baitfish population. During April and May, they're feeding heavily in 15-40 feet of water, often relating to structure like points, drop-offs, and underwater humps. What makes them special is their wariness – they're smart fish that require finesse and the right presentation. When you hook one, expect a bulldogging fight with powerful runs toward deeper water. Their coloration is stunning, with golden-brown sides covered in black and red spots that seem to glow in the spring sunshine.
Steelhead trout bring pure excitement to every trip. These Lake Ontario strain steelhead are chrome-bright and incredibly strong, often jumping multiple times during the fight. They average 6-10 pounds but fight like fish twice their size. April and May steelhead are either fresh from spawning or feeding heavily to recover their condition, making them prime targets for our light-tackle approach. Their runs are legendary – long, sustained pulls that can take you well into your backing if you're not careful.
Lake trout are the natives here, and they've been prowling these waters since the glaciers retreated. Spring is when they move shallow, giving you access to fish that spend most of the year in deep, cold water. They're powerful fighters that prefer to stay deep during the battle, using their weight and the lake's depth to their advantage. Lakers can range from 5 pounds up to fish pushing 20 pounds or more, and their mottled green coloration makes them one of the most distinctive catches you'll make.
Coho salmon start their annual migration patterns during late April and May, bringing their silver-sided beauty and acrobatic fighting ability into the mix. These fish are built for speed and jumping, often clearing the water multiple times during a fight. They average 5-8 pounds during the spring months and provide some of the most visual excitement when they decide to go airborne right next to the boat.
Chinook salmon are the ultimate prize fish on Lake Ontario. These massive salmon can exceed 30 pounds and provide fights that can last 20 minutes or more. During the spring months, they're feeding heavily on the abundant baitfish, making them susceptible to our trolling presentations. When you hook a big king, everything else stops – it's all hands on deck to help land what could be the fish of a lifetime.
This April and May special represents some of the best fishing Lake Ontario has to offer all year. The combination of multiple species, aggressive feeding behavior
Our 37-foot Trojan International is built for serious Lake Ontario fishing. This twin-engine powerhouse cuts through spring waves with ease, featuring a climate-controlled cabin to keep you comfortable during those chilly April mornings when the browns are biting. The spacious 14-foot beam gives your group of four plenty of room to work the trolling lines without stepping on each other's toes. You'll fish from a stable platform equipped with GPS navigation to mark productive spots, plus a fish finder that helps locate suspended trout in Ontario's depths. The VHF radio keeps us connected for weather updates and marine traffic. When nature calls, there's a proper stand-up head onboard – no awkward moments leaning over the gunwale. Our 24-mile radar system ensures safe passage even when lake fog rolls in. We dock right at Captain Jack's in Sodus Point, so you're not hauling gear across town to reach the boat. The twin 454s provide reliable power for covering water efficiently, whether we're working the nearshore structure or heading to deeper drops where lake trout hold. Full USCG safety compliance means all required equipment is aboard and inspected.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the crafty veterans of Lake Ontario, with their golden-brown backs and distinctive black spots. Most run 8-24 inches, but the lake grows some real giants pushing 30-plus inches. These fish are structure-oriented, hanging around rocky points, drop-offs, and areas with cover during daylight hours. Spring is prime time as they move shallow to feed after the long winter. Browns are famous for being selective and spooky, which makes landing one extra satisfying. They're also fantastic table fare with firm, flaky meat. What separates them from other trout is their wariness - they've seen every lure in the book. Local advice: browns often feed more aggressively at dusk and dawn, so time your presentation right and use natural-colored lures that match local baitfish.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario, with fish commonly hitting 15-20 pounds and some monsters pushing 30-plus. These are the silver-sided bruisers with black spots everywhere and that distinctive black mouth. Early spring finds them staging in deeper water, usually 40-80 feet down, following the thermocline and bait schools. Kings are light-sensitive, so dawn and dusk fishing produces best results. What draws anglers is the combination of size and power - when a big king takes off, it's like hooking a freight train. The reddish meat is rich and flaky when smoked or grilled. Pro tip from years on these waters: keep your drag smooth and don't try to rush them to the boat. Let them make their runs, especially the first one.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, are some of the most acrobatic fighters you'll encounter on Lake Ontario. These beauties typically run 8-12 pounds with bright silver sides and dark backs covered in black spots. What makes them special is their jumping ability - they can leap 6 feet out of the water when hooked. Spring is prime time as they cruise the shorelines feeding aggressively on baitfish. Cohos prefer cooler water temps and often hang in 20-60 feet of water near structure or temperature breaks. Guests love them because they put on a real show and the orange-pink meat tastes fantastic. Local tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - their soft mouths tear easily, so let your drag do the work during those spectacular jumps.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of Ontario, with their grey-green bodies marked by cream-colored spots. These char family members grow big - 15-40 pounds isn't unusual, with some real monsters lurking in the depths. Lakers live in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake, often suspended 60-120 feet down following bait schools. Spring is golden because they move up to more manageable depths as the water's still cold. They're powerful fighters that use the deep water to their advantage, making long, steady runs. The light-colored meat is excellent eating, especially when smoked. Key tip for lakers: use your electronics to mark fish and bait, then get your presentation right to their level. They won't chase lures far, so precision matters more than speed.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that spent time in the big water, making them silver rockets with serious attitude. These fish average 24 inches but can push 45 inches when conditions are right. They're built for speed with streamlined bodies and that classic pink stripe. Spring brings them close to shore where they hunt baitfish in 15-40 feet of water around drop-offs and current seams. What makes steelhead special is their raw power - pound for pound, nothing fights harder. They make blistering runs that'll test your drag and nerves. The meat is top-notch eating too. Here's a local secret: when the water's still cold in early spring, work your lures slower than you think - steelhead are aggressive but their metabolism is still sluggish.
Lake Ontario