Lake Ontario Salmon Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Sixhour charter targets Chinook, Coho, and trout speciesFully equipped 23foot vessel with downriggers and facilitiesAll skill levels welcome with gear and guidance provided
There's nothing quite like the power of a fresh Chinook salmon on your line in the deep, cold waters of Lake Ontario. This 6-hour charter with Dry Creek Charters puts you right in the heart of some of the best salmon and trout fishing the Great Lakes has to offer. Captain Christopher knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll work hard to put you on fish whether you're a complete beginner or you've been chasing salmon for decades. We launch at 6:00 AM sharp, giving us the prime early morning bite when these fish are most active and aggressive.
You'll be fishing from a well-maintained 23' Sport-Craft that's built for Lake Ontario's sometimes challenging conditions. The boat comes fully rigged with quality downriggers - essential gear for getting your lures down to where the salmon are holding in the thermocline. Captain Christopher provides all the tackle you'll need, including proven rods, reels, and the hot lures that have been producing fish. The onboard facilities include a toilet, which is a real plus on a 6-hour trip. This charter welcomes families and anglers of all skill levels, so don't worry if you've never fished the Great Lakes before. The captain will teach you everything from setting the drag to reading the fish finder. Just remember to grab your New York fishing license before we head out - you can usually pick one up at local tackle shops or online.
Lake Ontario salmon fishing is all about trolling at the right depth and speed. We'll be running multiple downrigger rods, typically setting lines anywhere from 40 to 120 feet down depending on where the fish are showing on the electronics. The key is staying in that sweet spot where the water temperature drops - that's where baitfish stack up and salmon come to feed. We use a mix of spoons, flasher-and-fly combinations, and plugs that mimic the alewives and smelt these fish are hammering. The boat's fish finder and temperature probe take the guesswork out of finding productive water. When a rod goes off, you'll know it - Lake Ontario salmon don't mess around when they hit a lure. The captain will coach you through the fight, helping you work the fish to the boat without losing it to a last-second head shake or jump.
Our target species make Lake Ontario one of the premier salmon destinations in North America. Chinook salmon, also called King salmon, are the absolute heavyweights here. These fish can push 30 pounds or more and will test every bit of your tackle and technique. They're most active during the cooler months and early morning hours, making our 6:00 AM start time perfect for connecting with a true trophy. Coho salmon are smaller but pound-for-pound some of the hardest fighting fish you'll encounter - they're known for spectacular aerial displays and blistering runs that'll make your drag sing. These silver bullets typically range from 8 to 15 pounds and are incredibly aggressive when they're feeding.
Brown trout are the craftiest fish in the lake, often requiring a more finesse approach with lighter tackle and subtle presentations. They can grow massive in Lake Ontario's nutrient-rich waters, with fish over 20 pounds caught regularly. Lake trout are the native predators here, perfectly adapted to the deep, cold environment. They're excellent table fare and provide steady action when salmon fishing slows down. Atlantic salmon, though less common, represent some of the most prized catches - these are truly wild fish that offer an amazing fight and are a real trophy when you connect with one.
Captain Christopher's Lake Ontario charters consistently put anglers on quality fish while providing the kind of personalized service that keeps customers coming back season after season. The 4-person capacity means you'll get plenty of individual attention and coaching, plus everyone gets multiple chances on the rods throughout the trip. With all gear provided and a captain who knows how to find fish in all conditions, this charter takes the guesswork out of fishing one of the Great Lakes' most productive waters. Remember to bring water, polarized sunglasses, and non-spray sunscreen for a comfortable day on the water. Moderate alcohol is welcome - just leave the hard stuff and glass bottles at home. Don't wait too long to secure your date, especially during peak salmon season when the best charter times fill up fast.
Step aboard Captain Christopher's 28-foot Sport-Craft and get ready to chase some serious salmon and trout on Lake Ontario's productive waters. This well-equipped fishing machine comes loaded with professional downriggers to get your lines down deep where the big Chinook and Coho are cruising. The GPS and fish finder will put you right on the money, while the radar keeps you safe if the weather turns. With an onboard toilet and icebox for your drinks and snacks, you'll stay comfortable during the full 6-hour adventure. All the fishing gear is provided – quality rods, reels, and proven lures that the local fish can't resist. Perfect for up to 4 anglers of any skill level, including families looking to introduce kids to the sport. Just grab your fishing license, some water, sunglasses, and sunscreen, and you're set for an epic day targeting some of the Great Lakes' finest gamefish.
Salmo SalarAtlantic salmon are sleek, silver-bodied fish averaging 28-30 inches and 8-12 pounds in Lake Ontario. Unlike their Pacific cousins, these fish can survive spawning multiple times, making them special targets. They prefer deeper, cooler waters and are typically found suspended mid-column or near structure. Early morning and evening hours produce the best action, especially during overcast conditions. What makes Atlantic salmon so popular is their aerial displays - they'll leap and run hard once hooked, giving you a real workout. The meat is top-shelf too, with that rich orange-pink color. One trick I always share: when you feel that first head shake, resist the urge to horse them in. Keep steady pressure but let them run - they'll tire out and you'll land more fish.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smart guys of Lake Ontario - wary, hard-fighting fish that average 8-24 inches and can surprise you with specimens over 30 inches. These golden-brown beauties with black spots prefer cooler water and hang around structure like rock piles, drop-offs, and weed lines. They're most active during low-light periods, making early morning and evening the prime windows. Fall fishing is particularly good when they feed aggressively before winter. Browns are popular because they fight smart - using current, structure, and sudden direction changes to try breaking free. The mild, sweet meat is some of the best eating you'll find. One thing I've learned over the years: browns are spookier than other trout. When we're fishing shallower water for them, keep noise to a minimum and use lighter tackle. They'll bolt at the first sign of trouble.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario - literally the largest salmon species we target. These bruisers average 15-25 pounds but can push 30+ pounds, making them the prize catch on any trip. They're light-sensitive fish that prefer staying deep, often 60-150 feet down near bottom structure or suspended over deep basins. Early season and fall provide the best chances, with low-light conditions being key. What sets kings apart is their raw power - no fancy jumps, just bulldogging runs that'll make your arms burn. The reddish-pink meat is outstanding table fare. Since they stick deep and avoid bright light, we use our downriggers to get baits down to them. Pro tip: when a king takes your bait, don't set the hook hard. Let the downrigger release do the work - too much pressure and you'll pull the hook right out.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, are the acrobats of Lake Ontario. These 12-30 inch fighters average 8-12 pounds and are famous for their jumping ability - they can leap 6 feet straight up. You'll find them cruising mid-depths, usually 30-80 feet down over deep water. Spring through fall offers the best fishing, with early morning and dusk being prime times. Cohos have that classic salmon look with dark blue-green backs and silver sides, turning reddish during spawning runs. Anglers love them because they fight dirty - lots of runs, jumps, and head shakes that'll test your drag. The bright orange meat makes excellent eating too. My local tip: when trolling for cohos, don't be afraid to speed up your presentation. They're aggressive and will chase fast-moving lures when they're feeding.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water specialists of Ontario - big, powerful fish that can live 20+ years and reach impressive sizes. Most of our lakers run 24-36 inches and 15-25 pounds, though the occasional 30+ pounder shows up. They're cold-water fish that spend most of their time in the deepest, coldest parts of the lake, often 100+ feet down. Spring right after ice-out and fall are your best shots when they move up a bit. Lakers are popular because they're pure muscle - long, strong runs without the acrobatics. The firm, flaky meat has great flavor too. Since they live so deep, we rely heavily on jigging and trolling with downriggers. Here's something most people don't know: lakers are curious fish. If you're jigging and mark one on the sonar, sometimes just letting your jig sit still will draw them in for a look.
Lake Ontario