Lake Ontario Salmon & Trout Charter - Half Day
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Halfday charter targets salmon, trout, and steelhead speciesProfessional trolling equipment and tackle provided by experienced captainFamilyfriendly trip accommodates all skill levels comfortably
Get ready for some serious fishing action on Lake Ontario with Captain Christopher and Dry Creek Charters. This isn't your typical weekend outing – we're talking about a proper 4-hour salmon and trout charter that puts you right in the middle of some of the Great Lakes' best fishing. Departing at 6 AM sharp, you'll have the whole morning to work the waters where Chinook salmon, Coho, Atlantic salmon, brown trout, lake trout, and steelhead cruise the depths. The early start means cooler temperatures and active fish, plus you'll still have your afternoon free for whatever else life throws at you.
Captain Christopher runs a tight ship aboard his 23-foot Sport-Craft, and this guy knows Lake Ontario like the back of his hand. You're looking at a top-rated charter experience that welcomes everyone from first-timers to seasoned anglers who just want to get on some fish without the hassle of rigging their own gear. The boat's set up specifically for Lake Ontario trolling, and with a maximum of 4 guests, you're not going to be elbow-to-elbow with strangers. There's an onboard toilet for comfort, which honestly makes a huge difference on a 4-hour trip. The captain provides all your rods, reels, lures, and trolling equipment – basically everything except your fishing license, which you'll need to grab before you show up. Bring some water, sunglasses, and non-spray sunscreen. If you want to crack a beer or two, that's cool, just leave the hard stuff and glass bottles at home.
Lake Ontario fishing is all about trolling, and Captain Christopher has this dialed in perfectly. We're talking about running multiple lines at different depths using downriggers, planer boards, and lead core setups to cover the water column where these fish are holding. The Sport-Craft is rigged with professional-grade trolling equipment that lets us present lures at precise depths – critical when you're targeting salmon and trout that might be suspended anywhere from 20 to 100 feet down. You'll be working with spoons, flasher and fly combinations, and plugs that mimic the baitfish these predators are keyed in on. The beauty of this setup is that it works for complete beginners and experienced anglers alike. If you've never trolled before, don't sweat it – the captain will walk you through everything from setting the drag to fighting fish. For those who know their way around trolling gear, you'll appreciate the quality of the equipment and the captain's knowledge of current patterns, temperature breaks, and fish movements.
Chinook salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario, and for good reason. These bruisers can push 20-30 pounds and will test every piece of equipment on the boat. They're most active in the early morning hours, which is exactly when we're hitting the water. When a king hits your line, you'll know it – they make screaming runs that'll have your drag singing. The fight can last 10-15 minutes, and that's what keeps anglers coming back year after year. Best fishing typically runs from late spring through fall, with peak action in summer when they're feeding heavily on alewives.
Coho salmon might be smaller than their Chinook cousins, but they make up for it with pure athleticism. These silver rockets are known for their aerial displays, jumping clear out of the water multiple times during a fight. They average 8-15 pounds and are incredibly fun on medium tackle. Coho are often found in slightly shallower water than kings, and they're aggressive feeders that will hit a variety of lures. They're also excellent table fare if you're planning a fish fry.
Atlantic salmon in Lake Ontario represent one of the greatest restoration success stories in the Great Lakes. These fish are completely wild, naturally reproducing, and absolutely beautiful. They're typically smaller than Pacific salmon species, running 5-12 pounds, but they're scrappy fighters with a tendency to jump. Atlantics are less predictable than other species, which makes landing one feel like a real achievement. They're also catch-and-release only in many areas, so check current regulations.
Brown trout are the smart guys of Lake Ontario – they're incredibly wary and often the toughest to fool. But when you do connect with a good brown, especially one that's been feeding in the lake for several years, you're looking at a fish that can rival salmon for size and fight quality. Lake-run browns can exceed 15 pounds and are known for their powerful runs and head-shaking fights. They're most active in low-light conditions, making our early morning departure perfect for targeting them.
Lake trout are the natives here, and they're built for the deep, cold waters of Lake Ontario. These fish can live for decades and grow to impressive sizes – 15-25 pound lake trout are caught regularly, and monsters over 30 pounds swim these waters. They're typically found in deeper water and provide a strong, steady fight rather than the acrobatics of salmon. Lakers are also some of the best eating fish in the lake, with firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill.
This half-day Lake Ontario charter with Dry Creek Charters delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for – professional equipment, local knowledge, and access to some of the best salmon and trout fishing in the Great Lakes. Captain Christopher's 23-foot Sport-Craft puts you in the game from the moment you leave the dock, and the 4-hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunity to get into fish without burning your entire weekend. Whether you're trying to introduce kids to Great Lakes fishing, planning a guys' trip, or just want to get away from shore fishing for a day, this charter covers all the bases. The boat's limited to
Captain Christopher's 28' Sport-Craft is built for serious Lake Ontario fishing. This sportfishing vessel handles up to 4 anglers comfortably while we target salmon and trout in these productive waters. Professional downriggers get your lines to the right depth where the big Chinook and Coho are holding, plus we've got all the rods, reels, and lures you need. The fish finder helps locate schools while GPS keeps us on the hottest spots. When nature calls, there's an onboard toilet so you don't miss any action. The icebox keeps your drinks cold during those early morning starts, and radar ensures we can fish safely even when lake conditions get sketchy. VHF radio keeps us connected to other boats and harbors for real-time fishing intel. Whether you're after steelhead near the structure or lake trout in deeper water, this boat gets you there ready to fish.
Salmo SalarAtlantic salmon are sleek, silver-bodied fish that average 28-30 inches and 8-12 pounds. In Lake Ontario, these are stocked fish that provide great sport fishing opportunities. They're known for their strong runs and acrobatic jumps when hooked - definitely a fish that'll test your drag system. You'll find them suspended in deeper water during summer months, often following baitfish schools. Spring and fall offer the best action when they move closer to tributaries. What makes atlantics special is their orange-pink meat and the way they can live multiple years, unlike their Pacific cousins that die after spawning. My tip: when trolling for them, slow down your presentation compared to what you'd use for kings - atlantics can be more finicky and respond better to a subtle approach.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are crafty fish that keep things interesting on Lake Ontario. These golden-brown beauties with black spots typically run 8-24 inches and 1-9 pounds, though some get much bigger. They're the smartest fish we target - browns will inspect your lure and often follow without striking. You'll find them near structure like drop-offs, rocky areas, and tributary mouths, usually in 30-80 feet of water. Fall is fantastic when they get aggressive before spawning, and early morning or overcast days are money. What guests love is the challenge - browns make you work for every fish, and that firm, mild-flavored meat is worth the effort. They live up to 12 years, so the big ones have seen every trick in the book. My advice: change up your presentation frequently and don't be afraid to downsize your lures when they're being picky.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the giants of Lake Ontario, and for good reason - these bruisers average 12-39 inches but can push 20-30 pounds or more. They're built like torpedoes with silver sides, blue-green backs, and black spots throughout. Chinooks prefer the deep, cold water during summer, often hugging bottom at 80-150 feet where the temperature stays around 50°F. Early morning and evening are prime times since they're light sensitive. What makes them special is their incredible strength and that rich, orange-pink meat that's perfect for the grill. They'll test your equipment with powerful runs and head shakes. Spring and fall offer the best fishing when they move shallower. Here's my go-to tip: use heavy gear and don't be afraid to go deep with downriggers - kings like their lures moving slow and steady near the thermocline.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or "silvers," are some of the most fun fish you'll hook in Lake Ontario. They typically run 12-30 inches and 8-12 pounds, with that classic silver body and dark blue-green back. What sets cohos apart is their incredible acrobatics - these fish can jump 6 feet straight up and will give you a wild ride on light tackle. They tend to stay higher in the water column than chinooks, often 20-60 feet down, and love to chase baitfish near temperature breaks. Late summer through fall is prime time as they stage near river mouths. The orange-red meat is excellent eating, and their aggressive nature makes them great for getting kids excited about fishing. Pro tip: when a coho hits, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - let them jump and tire themselves out, or they'll throw the hook.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water heavyweights of Lake Ontario, averaging 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds. These grey-green fish with cream-colored markings live in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake - often 100-200 feet down during summer. They're slow-growing and can live decades, making every big fish a real trophy. Lakers prefer overcast days and low-light conditions, which is perfect for our early morning trips. What makes them special is their size potential and that unique fight - more of a bulldogging battle than the jumps you get from salmon. The meat is excellent when prepared right. Spring after ice-out and fall turnover are prime times when they move shallower. Since they're always deep, we use downriggers and heavy jigs. My secret: lakers love a slow, methodical jigging motion - drop your lure to bottom, then work it 10-20 feet up with long, slow lifts.
Lake Ontario