Lake Ontario September Salmon & Trout Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Five or eight hour guided fishing trips for four guestsTarget King Salmon, Coho, Steelhead and Brown Trout speciesProfessional equipment and fish filleting services included
September on Lake Ontario is prime time for serious salmon and trout fishing, and this Rochester-based charter puts you right where the action happens. Captain Diamond J runs a tight ship with professional-grade gear and knows exactly where these fish are staging before their spawning runs. You'll have your choice of five or eight-hour trips, giving you flexibility to match your schedule and stamina. The boat handles four anglers comfortably, though you can add extra folks if needed. All rods, reels, and tackle are included, plus they'll clean and pack your catch so you can head home with dinner ready to go.
Your day starts early at the Rochester launch, where you'll meet your captain and get the rundown on conditions and game plan. Lake Ontario in September can be moody, but that's part of what makes the fishing so good – the salmon are aggressive and the trout are feeding heavily before winter. You'll be running modern downriggers and planer boards to cover water efficiently, targeting depths anywhere from 40 to 200 feet depending on where the thermocline sets up. The boat stays comfortable even when it's busy, with plenty of room to fight fish without tangling lines. Weather can change fast on the big lake, so bring layers and rain gear even if the morning looks calm. Your captain monitors conditions constantly and adjusts tactics to keep you on fish while staying safe.
This isn't casting and hoping – Lake Ontario salmon and trout fishing is all about precision trolling with the right presentation at the right depth. The captain runs a spread of downriggers, leadcore, and copper lines to cover the entire water column where fish are holding. Spoons, plugs, and flasher-fly combos are the go-to baits, with colors and sizes adjusted based on water clarity and what the fish are hitting. You'll learn to read the fish finder, understand temperature breaks, and recognize the subtle hits that big lake fish give you. The professional tackle includes quality reels with smooth drags – essential when a 20-pound king decides to make a run. Don't worry if you're new to this style of fishing; the captain will coach you through playing fish and using the net properly.
King Salmon are the heavyweight champions of Lake Ontario, with mature fish pushing 20 to 30 pounds in September. These bruisers are staging near river mouths, feeding heavily before their spawning run. They hit hard and fight harder, often jumping and making long runs that test your drag and patience. Coho Salmon might be smaller at 8 to 15 pounds, but they're acrobatic fighters that jump repeatedly and never give up easy. Steelhead are the wild cards – these lake-run rainbow trout can show up anywhere from 5 to 25 pounds and fight like fish twice their size. Brown Trout are the smart ones, often the hardest to fool but incredibly rewarding when you connect with a big laker brownie that's been cruising the deep water for years. Atlantic Salmon are the bonus fish – not as common but absolutely beautiful when you hook into one of these silvery rockets.
Chinook Salmon, the kings of the lake, are at their peak in September as they prepare for spawning runs. These fish average 15 to 25 pounds with some pushing 30-plus, making them the most sought-after trophy on Lake Ontario. They're aggressive feeders right now, hitting spoons and plugs with authority before making blistering runs that can strip 200 yards of line in seconds. The key is keeping steady pressure without horsing them – let the drag do its job.
Coho Salmon are the acrobats of Lake Ontario, famous for their aerial displays when hooked. September cohoes are bright silver and full of fight, typically running 8 to 15 pounds. They school up in good numbers, so when you find them, the action can be fast and furious. These fish love higher in the water column than kings, often hitting flasher-fly combos trolled behind downriggers set at 30 to 60 feet.
Steelhead Trout are year-round residents that grow fat and strong in Lake Ontario's rich waters. September steelhead can range from schoolie-sized fish around 5 pounds to massive 20-pound-plus specimens that fight like angry submarines. They're incredibly strong for their size and have a habit of making unexpected runs just when you think you have them beat. The bigger fish often hold in deeper water and hit the same presentations as the salmon.
Brown Trout are the wary veterans of Lake Ontario, often the most challenging to catch but incredibly rewarding. September browns are thick and healthy, with many fish reaching double digits and some true giants pushing 20 pounds or more. They're notorious for following lures without committing, requiring subtle presentation changes and persistence. When you do connect, browns are powerful fighters that use their weight and the current to their advantage.
Lake Trout round out the mixed bag, though they're typically deeper dwellers found in the coldest water. September lakers can be anywhere from keeper-sized fish around 5 pounds to true giants over 20 pounds. They're not flashy fighters but incredibly strong, making long, determined runs toward the bottom. The biggest lakers are often caught by accident while targeting salmon, making them a welcome surprise.
September is a short season on Lake Ontario, and the best fishing windows fill up fast with repeat customers who know how good it can be. This charter gives you everything you need for a successful day – professional equipment, expert knowledge, and fish cleaning service so you go home with fillets ready for the table. Remember to grab your New York fishing license before the trip, bring a large cooler for your catch, and consider starting motion sickness medication the night before if you're prone to seas
Hit Lake Ontario's September salmon runs aboard our 37-foot Trojan International, a serious fishing machine built for these big waters. Twin 454 engines power through any conditions while the 14-foot beam keeps you steady when fighting those king salmon and steelhead. The climate-controlled cabin gives you a break from the elements, plus there's a stand-up head for longer trips. We've got 24-mile radar to track weather and GPS fish finder to locate schools. VHF radio keeps us connected to other boats sharing intel on the bite. All USCG safety gear is onboard, and we dock at Captain Jack's in Sodus Point for easy access. This boat handles Lake Ontario's moods while you focus on landing trophy fish during peak season.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smart guys of the lake - they didn't get their reputation for being difficult by accident. These golden-brown beauties with their distinctive black spots typically run 3-8 pounds, though Lake Ontario produces some real monsters in the double digits. They prefer cooler water and tend to be more structure-oriented than salmon, hanging around drop-offs and rocky areas. September can be fantastic as water temps start dropping and they become more active. What makes browns special is they're both challenging to catch and excellent on the table - mild, sweet meat that's hard to beat. They're also night feeders, so low-light conditions often produce the best action. Here's what works: browns are spooky, so if you're marking fish but not getting bit, try dropping down in lure size or changing colors. Sometimes less is more with these fish.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario - we're talking fish that commonly hit 15-20 pounds, with some pushing 30+. These are the fish that make grown anglers shake with excitement. They have that blue-green back with silver sides and black spots everywhere, including inside their mouths. September is peak season as they're feeding heavily before spawning. Kings like to stay deep, usually 80-150 feet down in the cooler water where they feel comfortable. What makes them special is the sheer power - when a big king decides to run, it's going to take line whether you like it or not. The meat is top-notch too, with that rich orange-red color. Since they're light-sensitive, early morning and evening bites tend to be best. My advice: make sure your drag is set right before you start - these fish will find any weakness in your setup.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, are some of the most acrobatic fighters you'll hook on Lake Ontario. These fish typically run 8-12 pounds and have that classic silver body with dark spots on their backs. September is prime time as they're staging near shore for their spawning run, making them aggressive and eager to hit our lures. We usually find them in 40-80 feet of water, often suspended mid-column following baitfish schools. What makes cohos special is their aerial show - they'll jump clean out of the water multiple times during the fight. The meat is excellent too, with bright orange-red flesh that's perfect for grilling. Pro tip: when you see one jump, keep steady pressure but don't horse it - let your drag do the work and enjoy the show.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water specialists of Ontario - these grey-green giants with cream-colored spots love the cold, oxygenated depths where most other fish won't venture. We're talking fish that average 15-25 pounds, with some real monsters pushing 40+. They live their entire lives in the deepest parts of the lake, often 100+ feet down even in September. What makes lakers unique is their slow, methodical fight - they're not flashy jumpers, but they'll use that deep water to their advantage with steady, powerful runs. The meat is excellent, especially from these cold, clean waters. Since they're suspended in open water, we rely heavily on our electronics to mark schools. Pro tip: when you hook one, pump and wind rather than just cranking - these fish have soft mouths and steady pressure often pulls the hooks. Patience pays off with these fish.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are essentially rainbow trout that have adapted to life in the Great Lakes, and they're absolute bruisers because of it. These chrome-bright fish average 24 inches but can push into the 30+ inch range here on Ontario. They're built like torpedoes - streamlined and powerful with that distinctive silvery color and black spotting. We typically target them in deeper water during September, anywhere from 60-120 feet down where the temperature suits them. What sets steelhead apart is their stamina - they'll make long, burning runs that'll test your drag and your patience. The fight can last 10-15 minutes easy. They're also fantastic eating with firm, pink meat. Here's a tip from years of chasing them: when you hook one, don't try to muscle it to the boat. Let it tire itself out on those long runs.
Lake Ontario