2 Day Lake Ontario Salmon Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Two full days targeting salmon and trout species aboard equipped vesselProfessional downriggers and complete tackle provided for four passengersEarly morning departures maximize prime fishing hours on Lake Ontario
If you're serious about getting into some world-class salmon and trout action, this weekend warrior charter is exactly what you've been looking for. We're talking two full days on Lake Ontario with Captain Christopher, hitting the water at 6 AM sharp when the fish are most active. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped 23-foot Sport-Craft that's built for these big waters, complete with professional downriggers and all the comfort features you need for long days chasing kings and cohos. This isn't some half-day teaser trip – it's designed for dedicated anglers who want maximum time with lines in the water.
Lake Ontario fishing means business, and Captain Christopher knows these waters like the back of his hand. You'll be targeting the big three salmon species – Chinook, Coho, and Atlantic – plus Lake Trout, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout across two full days. The 23-foot Sport-Craft gives you plenty of room to move around and fight fish properly, plus there's an onboard head so you don't have to worry about comfort during those long stretches. The boat comes rigged with professional downriggers, which is exactly what you need to get your lures down to where these fish are cruising. Captain Christopher provides all your rods, reels, and the right lures for whatever's biting that weekend. Just remember to grab your New York fishing license before you show up – you can't fish without it. Pack some bottled water, good sunglasses, and non-spray sunscreen. A few beers are fine, but leave the hard stuff and glass bottles at home.
This is all about precision trolling with downriggers, which is the proven method for consistent salmon and trout fishing on the Great Lakes. The downriggers let us get your lures down to the exact depth where fish are holding, whether that's 40 feet or 140 feet. We're running multiple lines at different depths and speeds to cover water efficiently and figure out what the fish want. Captain Christopher rotates through proven spoons, flasher-and-fly combos, and plugs depending on conditions and what species we're marking on the fish finder. The boat's electronics are top-notch, so we can see fish, track temperature breaks, and find the bait schools that attract feeding salmon. When a fish hits, the downrigger releases and you're fighting the fish directly – no heavy weight to deal with. The key is staying mobile and adjusting until we find the bite, then working that area hard.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario, and for good reason. These bruisers average 15-25 pounds but can push 30 pounds or more during peak season. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're feeding heavily before their fall spawning run. When a king hits, you'll know it – they make long, powerful runs and test every inch of your drag system. The fight can last 20 minutes or more, and landing one is something you'll remember for years.
Coho Salmon might be smaller than kings, but they make up for it with pure athleticism. These 8-15 pound acrobats love to jump and make fast, erratic runs that'll keep you on your toes. Cohos are particularly active in late spring and early summer when water temperatures are perfect. They're aggressive feeders and often the most cooperative species when other fish are being finicky.
Atlantic Salmon are the wild card in Lake Ontario's stocked fishery. These fish fight with a different style than their Pacific cousins – more sustained runs and head-shaking rather than jumping. They typically run 10-20 pounds and have become increasingly popular as the population grows. Atlantics are known for their stamina and can give you arm-burning fights in open water.
Lake Trout are the natives here and can grow massive in Ontario's cold, deep waters. These fish live in the deepest parts of the lake and can exceed 20 pounds. They're most active in spring and fall when they move into shallower water. Lakers fight deep and hard, using their weight and the depth to their advantage. They're also excellent eating if you're looking to take some fish home.
Brown Trout are the opportunists of the group, feeding on everything from alewives to gobies. These fish are notorious for being picky, but when they're on, they provide some of the most exciting fishing. Browns can reach impressive sizes in the Great Lakes, with fish over 15 pounds caught regularly. They're most active during low-light periods and can be the stars of early morning sessions.
This two-day charter gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Lake Ontario has to offer. You'll get to fish different areas, adjust to changing conditions, and target multiple species across 16 hours of fishing time. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to up your salmon game or a family wanting to create lasting memories, this trip delivers. Captain Christopher's local knowledge and professional setup take the guesswork out of Great Lakes fishing, so you can focus on fighting fish instead of figuring out the details. Lake Ontario's salmon and trout fishing is world-class, and this charter puts you right in the middle of the action. Don't wait – the best fishing weekends fill up fast, especially during peak season.
Our 28-foot Sport-Craft fishing boat is built for serious Lake Ontario salmon action. This sportfishing vessel comfortably handles up to 4 anglers and comes rigged with professional downriggers to get your lines down where the big Chinook and Coho are cruising. The fish finder will help us locate schools while the GPS keeps us on productive fishing spots. When visibility drops, our radar keeps us safe on the water. The VHF radio maintains contact with other charter boats sharing fishing intel. An onboard toilet means no cutting trips short, and the icebox keeps your catch fresh plus any snacks and drinks you bring along. Captain Christopher supplies all the tackle - rods, reels, and proven Lake Ontario lures that consistently produce salmon and trout. Whether you're trolling the thermocline or working structure, this boat has everything needed for productive days chasing Lake Ontario's legendary salmon runs.
Salmo SalarAtlantic salmon average 28-30 inches and 8-12 pounds with their distinctive silvery sides and darker backs. Unlike Pacific salmon, these fish can survive spawning multiple times, making each hookup special. They're built for endurance with long, streamlined bodies and forked tails that help them make powerful runs. In Lake Ontario, you'll find them cruising deeper waters during summer months, often 40-80 feet down where temperatures stay cool. Spring and fall offer the best action when they move shallower to feed. These fish are known for their acrobatic jumps and sustained fights that'll test your drag. The meat is top-notch - firm, orange-pink flesh that's hard to beat on the table. Here's a local trick: when trolling, slow down your presentation more than you think. Atlantics often follow baits for a while before committing, so patience pays off.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the lake's smartest fighters, running 8-24 inches on average but capable of reaching 39 inches and nearly 10 pounds. They've got golden-brown backs with yellow bellies and distinctive black spots scattered across their sides and back. These fish are structure-oriented, hanging around drop-offs, rocky points, and weed lines in 15-50 feet of water. Fall is prime time when they feed aggressively before winter, especially at night and dawn. What makes browns special is their wariness - they're tough to fool but fight like crazy once hooked with powerful runs and head shakes. The firm, mild-flavored meat is excellent eating. Spring after ice-out and fall are your best bets, though they'll bite year-round if you find them. Local tip: browns love crawfish patterns and natural baits. Fish slower presentations near bottom structure, and don't be surprised if the biggest ones hit right at dark.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the kings for good reason - they're the biggest of the bunch, averaging 12-39 inches and 7-15 pounds, with some pushing 30+ pounds in Lake Ontario. These bruisers have silver sides, blue-green backs, and distinctive black spots on their heads, backs, and fins. They're light-sensitive fish that prefer staying deep, usually 60-120 feet down during summer. Early morning and evening are your best shots when they move up to feed. What draws anglers is their raw power - chinook make long, bulldogging runs that'll smoke your reel. They're also prime table fare with that rich, orange-pink meat. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action as they stage for spawning runs. Here's my secret: since they hug bottom structure, run your downriggers just off the thermocline and use larger baits like whole alewives or big spoons. These fish want a substantial meal.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, run 12-30 inches and typically weigh 8-12 pounds. What makes them special is their incredible jumping ability - these fish can leap 6 feet straight up and put on a real aerial show. They've got that classic salmon look with dark blue-green backs, silver sides, and black spots on their backs and tail fins. In Lake Ontario, you'll find them anywhere from 20-60 feet deep, often suspended over deeper water chasing baitfish. Early morning and evening are prime times, especially during spring and fall migrations. Coho are absolute fighters that'll make multiple runs and jumps, which is why so many anglers target them specifically. The bright orange-red meat is fantastic eating too. My go-to tip for coho: use bright, flashy spoons or plugs in chartreuse, pink, or orange - they can't resist aggressive presentations.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of Lake Ontario, averaging 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds. These char have grey-green coloring with cream-colored spots and prefer the coldest, deepest water you can find - often 80-150 feet down in summer. They're slow-growing fish that can live decades, making each big one special. Spring right after ice-out is prime time when they move shallow, but summer deep-water fishing produces the largest fish. What anglers love is their dogged, powerful fight - no jumping, just raw strength and long runs. The light, flaky meat is mild and delicious. Lake trout are ambush predators that suspend over deep basins, so vertical jigging works best. Overcast days and low-light conditions trigger more activity. Here's my key tip: use large jigging spoons or swimbaits and work them aggressively with sharp lifts - these fish respond to wounded baitfish presentations better than subtle finesse tactics.
Lake Ontario