Lake Ontario Fishing Trips - Mexico Bay
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12-hour offshore fishing trip targeting trout and salmonAccommodations and equipment included with professional guide serviceSmall group experience limited to 4 guests maximum
Mexico Bay on Lake Ontario is where serious anglers come to test their skills against some of the Great Lakes' most prized game fish. This isn't your typical day trip – we're talking about a full 12-hour fishing adventure that'll have you working the deep waters where the big salmon and trout cruise. With overnight lodging included, you can roll right out of bed and onto the boat, ready to hit the best fishing spots when the fish are most active. I've been guiding these waters for years, and Mexico Bay consistently delivers the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Your day starts early – and I mean early. We'll have you geared up and on the water while most folks are still hitting the snooze button. That's when the magic happens out here. Mexico Bay sits in one of Lake Ontario's prime fishing zones, where cold currents and structure create perfect hunting grounds for salmon and trout. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped charter boat that can handle up to four anglers comfortably, giving everyone plenty of room to work their lines without getting tangled up. The boat comes loaded with all the tackle you'll need, from downriggers to planer boards, plus backup gear in case something decides to take a long run with your favorite setup. Don't worry if you're new to this – I'll walk you through everything from setting the drag to reading the fish finder. The bay offers protection from big lake swells while still giving us access to the deeper water where the trophy fish hang out. On calm days, you can see clear down to the thermocline where the salmon stack up like cordwood.
We're primarily trolling out here – it's the most effective way to cover water and find active fish in a lake this size. The boat's rigged with quality downriggers that'll get your spoons and flies down to where the fish are holding, usually anywhere from 30 to 120 feet depending on the season and water temperature. I run a mix of copper line, lead core, and dipsey divers to spread our presentation across different depths and distances from the boat. Spoons are the bread and butter – Williams Wablers, Evil Eyes, and Stingers in various sizes and colors depending on what the fish are showing us. We'll also run some cut bait on the riggers when the kings are being picky. The key is speed control and staying in the right temperature zone. Lake Ontario's thermocline can be sharp, and being off by just a few degrees can mean the difference between limits and getting skunked. I've got all the electronics to keep us on fish – GPS with my honey holes marked, downrigger temp probes, and a fish finder that'll show you exactly what's swimming under the boat. You'll learn to read the water like a pro by the end of the day.
Atlantic Salmon are the crown jewel of Lake Ontario fishing, and Mexico Bay sees some beauties every season. These silver rockets typically run 8 to 15 pounds, with the occasional 20-pounder that'll test your backing. They're most active in spring and fall when water temps are in that sweet 50-60 degree range. What makes Atlantics special is their fight – they're acrobatic jumpers that'll clear the water multiple times, shaking their heads and throwing hooks if you're not careful. They prefer smaller spoons and flies, and they can be finicky eaters, which makes landing one that much more satisfying.
Rainbow Trout are probably the most consistent fish we'll encounter, running anywhere from 5 to 12 pounds with occasional bigger ones mixed in. They're active throughout the season but really turn on during spring staging and fall feeding periods. Bows are known for their stamina – they might not jump as much as an Atlantic, but they'll pull drag for what feels like forever. They love bright spoons and will hit everything from small flutter spoons to large mag spoons depending on their mood. These fish are perfect for beginners because they're aggressive feeders and fight hard enough to get your heart pumping.
Coho Salmon bring pure chaos to the boat when they're hooked. These 6 to 10-pound dynamos are absolutely crazy once they feel steel, jumping clear out of the water and making blistering runs that'll have you questioning your knots. Late summer and early fall are prime time for cohos as they start their spawning run. They're not picky eaters – bright spoons, cut bait, even flies will trigger strikes. What I love about cohos is their unpredictability – you never know if they're going to run toward the boat, away from it, or straight up in the air.
Chinook Salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario, with fish over 20 pounds being caught regularly and 30-pounders always a possibility. These kings are built for power, not speed, making long, bulldogging runs that'll test your drag system and your arm muscles. They're most active in deeper, cooler water and prefer larger baits – big spoons, cut bait, and meat rigs. Spring and fall offer the best chinook action, though we pick up fish throughout the season. Landing a big king is a team effort – expect a fight that can last 20 minutes or more.
Brown Trout are the wildcards in Mexico Bay waters. These golden-sided beauties can show up anywhere from 5 to 20 pounds, and the big ones are some of the smartest fish in the lake. They're most active during low-light periods – early morning, late evening, and overcast days. Browns prefer natural baits and subtle presentations, making them a favorite target for experienced anglers who want a challenge. They're notorious for following lures without striking, then hitting when you least expect it. When you hook into a good brown, expect a smart, strong fight with sudden direction changes that keep you guessing.
This well-equipped motorboat gets you out to the productive waters of Mexico Bay where the big trout and salmon are waiting. Built for offshore fishing on Lake Ontario, she's rigged with GPS navigation to hit the best spots and a quality fish finder to locate schools below. The onboard toilet keeps everyone comfortable during those long 12-hour trips when the fish are biting. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the lines without getting tangled up. The boat handles Lake Ontario's conditions well, getting you to the deep water structure where the kings and cohos cruise. Perfect setup for both rookie anglers and seasoned pros looking to land some trophy lake trout or chrome-bright salmon.
Salmo SalarAtlantic salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario - sleek, silver fighters averaging 28-30 inches and 8-12 pounds. These fish cruise the deeper waters of Mexico Bay, especially during spring and fall when they're most active. What makes them special is their incredible fighting ability once hooked - they'll leap clear out of the water and make screaming runs that test your gear. The meat is top-notch too, with that rich orange flesh everyone craves. These salmon prefer cooler water temps, so we target them early morning or evening when they move up from the depths. Here's a tip: when trolling spoons, vary your speed every few minutes. That speed change often triggers strikes from fish that have been following your lure.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smart guys of Lake Ontario - wary, selective, but absolutely worth the challenge. These golden-brown beauties with black spots average 14-22 inches and 2-6 pounds, though trophy fish over 8 pounds aren't uncommon here. They're homebodies, sticking close to structure like rocky points, drop-offs, and weed lines. Fall is magic time when they feed aggressively before spawning, especially at night. Browns are famous for their cunning fights - no flashy jumps, just steady, determined runs that test your patience. The firm, flavorful meat is excellent table fare. These fish are spookier than other trout, so we use lighter tackle and natural presentations. Local tip: browns love crawfish patterns and earth-tone lures. Fish them slow and deep near bottom structure for best results.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario - true trophy fish that can reach 20-30+ pounds and stretch over 3 feet long. These "kings" prefer deep, cold water and are light-sensitive, so they typically stay down around 80-150 feet during the day. Early morning and evening are your best shots when they move up to feed. What makes chinooks legendary is their bulldogging fights - long, powerful runs that can strip line in seconds. The rich, red meat is prized by anglers and chefs alike. We target them with downriggers and heavy tackle because these fish don't mess around. They're sensitive to water temperature changes, so we watch our fish finder closely. Here's a guide secret: when a king hits, don't set the hook hard - just reel down tight and let the fish hook itself.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or "silvers," are pure dynamite on the end of a line. These acrobatic fighters average 12-18 inches and 3-8 pounds in Lake Ontario, but don't let the size fool you - they can jump 6 feet straight up and fight like fish twice their weight. We find them cruising mid-depth waters around 30-60 feet, especially near baitfish schools. Late summer through fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily before spawning runs. What makes cohos special is their aggressive nature and spectacular aerial displays. The bright orange meat is fantastic eating too. They love bright, flashy lures - chartreuse, pink, and orange work great. Here's something most anglers don't know: cohos often hit on the turn, so when trolling, make S-curves to trigger strikes.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout are some of the most beautiful fish in Lake Ontario, with their signature pink stripe and spotted sides. Most run 12-20 inches here, though we regularly see bigger ones pushing 24+ inches and 5-8 pounds. They love the cooler water near drop-offs and structure, often hanging around 40-80 feet deep during summer. Spring and fall are prime time when they move shallow to feed. What guests love about rainbows is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump, twist, and make powerful runs. The meat is excellent too, with a mild, sweet flavor. These fish can be picky eaters, so we match our lures to what they're feeding on. Pro tip: when using spoons, let them flutter on the drop - that erratic action often triggers strikes from following fish.
Lake Ontario