Lake Ontario Boat Charters - Mexico Bay
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eight-hour offshore fishing adventure targeting trophy trout and salmonAll equipment provided with comfortable lodging included in packageProfessional charter accommodates up to four guests in Mexico Bay
Nothing beats the feeling of your drag screaming as a massive Chinook makes its run in the deep, cold waters of Lake Ontario. Here in Mexico Bay, we're sitting on some of the best salmon and trout fishing the Great Lakes has to offer. Captain and crew at Finhooker Charters know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish that'll have your arms burning and your adrenaline pumping. This 8-hour charter takes you into the heart of Lake Ontario's most productive fishing grounds, where trophy-sized salmon and trout cruise the depths waiting for your presentation.
Your day starts early - we're talking first light early - because that's when the big fish are most active. The captain will have all the gear rigged and ready, from downriggers to planer boards, so you can focus on what matters: landing fish. We'll cruise out to the thermocline where the water temperature drops and the baitfish stack up. That's where you'll find the predators. The boat handles up to 4 anglers comfortably, which means everyone gets plenty of room to fight their fish without getting tangled up. All your tackle is included, so you just need to bring your fishing license and maybe some snacks if you get hungry between hookups. The lodging package means you can sleep off your sore arms after a day of battling these Great Lakes monsters.
We're trolling spoons, flasher-and-fly combos, and plugs at various depths using downriggers and dipsy divers. The captain reads the fish finder like a book, watching for bait schools and marking fish. Water temperature is everything out here - we're looking for that 50-55 degree sweet spot where salmon love to cruise. The downriggers get your bait down to 40, 60, even 80 feet where these fish are holding. Planer boards spread your lines out wide, covering more water and keeping lines away from the boat's prop wash. When a fish hits, you'll know it - the rod tip doubles over and the reel starts singing. The crew will clear the other lines so you can focus on the battle ahead.
Rainbow Trout are the acrobats of Lake Ontario. These silver bullets average 8-12 pounds but don't let the size fool you - they'll jump, run, and fight like fish twice their size. Spring and fall are prime time for rainbows, when they move shallow to feed on emerald shiners and alewives. What makes them special is their aerial show - expect multiple jumps and long runs that'll test your drag settings.
Coho Salmon are the perfect introduction to Great Lakes salmon fishing. Running 5-10 pounds on average, these chrome-bright fighters are known for their spectacular jumps and never-give-up attitude. Late summer through fall is when cohos really turn on, and they'll hit everything from spoons to flies. They're nicknamed "silver rockets" for good reason - once hooked, they're airborne more than they're in the water.
Chinook Salmon are the undisputed kings of Lake Ontario. These bruisers commonly exceed 20 pounds, with 30-pounders caught every season. What makes a Chinook special isn't just the size - it's the power. They don't jump like cohos; instead, they use their bulk and strength for deep, punishing runs that can strip line off your reel in seconds. Peak season runs from July through September when they're feeding heavily before their spawning run.
Brown Trout are the craftiest fish in the lake. These golden-flanked beauties are spooky, smart, and absolutely gorgeous. They average 6-15 pounds but can grow much larger. Browns are most active during low-light periods - dawn, dusk, and overcast days. What anglers love about browns is their unpredictability - they might hug the bottom like a log or take off on a blistering surface run.
Lake Trout are the deep-water specialists, often found in 60-100 feet of water or more. These fish can live for decades and grow to impressive sizes - 15-25 pounders are common. Lakers fight differently than their cousins, using the deep water to their advantage with steady, powerful runs. They're most active in spring and late fall when water temperatures are uniform throughout the water column.
Lake Ontario's fishing just keeps getting better each year, and word is getting out. The best dates fill up fast, especially during prime salmon season. Finhooker Charters runs a top-rated operation with experienced crew who know how to put you on fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for your personal best or a newcomer wanting to experience world-class Great Lakes fishing, this 8-hour charter delivers the goods. The included lodging means you can make a proper fishing weekend out of it. Don't wait until the last minute - the calendar fills up and you don't want to miss out on what could be the fishing trip of a lifetime.
Our well-equipped motorboat is built for serious anglers targeting Lake Ontario's legendary trout and salmon runs. This fishing machine comes loaded with a reliable GPS navigation system to get you to the prime fishing spots and an advanced fish finder that'll help you locate where the big ones are holding. The onboard toilet means you can stay out on the water longer without cutting your fishing day short. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, this boat handles Lake Ontario's waters with ease, giving you a stable platform for battling those hard-fighting salmon and steelhead. Whether you're trolling the deep waters of Mexico Bay or working the drop-offs, you'll have everything you need for a productive day on the lake. The boat's design focuses on fishing functionality - plenty of rod holders, ample deck space for landing fish, and easy movement around the cockpit when the action heats up.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smart ones - they grow big by being cautious, often reaching 8-24 inches with some real trophies pushing much larger. These golden-brown beauties with black spots love structure like rocky drop-offs and weed lines, preferring water temps around 55-65°F. Fall brings the best action when they feed aggressively, though spring and summer evenings can be productive too. Anglers love browns because they're challenging to catch and fight hard once hooked. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, flaky meat. Here's what works: browns are often more active at night or in low light, so don't pack up when the sun sets. Try trolling close to bottom with natural-colored spoons or plugs near structure where they ambush prey.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario, regularly hitting 15-30 pounds with some monsters pushing even bigger. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted backs prefer deep, cold water - often 80+ feet down during summer months. Early morning and evening produce the best action, especially from late spring through early fall. What sets kings apart is their raw power and that incredible orange-pink meat quality. They don't jump much, but they'll make long, powerful runs that test your drag system. Since kings are light-sensitive and stay deep, running your downriggers near bottom with heavy tackle is essential. Pro tip: use a flasher ahead of your spoon or plug - the flash mimics injured baitfish and triggers aggressive strikes from these apex predators.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or "silvers," are pure acrobats that'll jump clean out of the water when hooked. These 8-12 pounders have bright silver sides with dark backs and can reach up to 30 inches. They cruise mid-depth waters, usually 20-60 feet down, chasing alewives and other baitfish. Late summer through fall is peak season when they're feeding heavily before their spawning run. Guests love cohos for their aerial shows and that rich, orange-red meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key to consistent coho fishing is watching your fishfinder for bait schools - where you see clouds of alewives, the silvers won't be far behind. Match your downrigger depth to where the bait is stacked.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of Ontario, averaging 15-40 pounds and living in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake. You'll find them suspended in 80-200+ feet of water, often near bottom structure or following the thermocline. Spring right after ice-out and fall offer the best shots when they move shallower, but summer deep-water fishing can be outstanding. Lakers are prized for their size and that unique, rich flavor that's different from other trout. They fight with steady, powerful runs rather than jumps. The secret to lake trout success is jigging - drop heavy jigs or spoons right to bottom, then work them with sharp lifts and drops. Lakers often hit on the fall, so keep your line tight and be ready to set the hook on any tick or weight change.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout in Lake Ontario average 2-8 pounds and put up a solid fight with their signature jumps. You'll find them cruising cooler water temperatures around 55-65°F, often near structure or following baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, with early morning and evening being prime times. What makes rainbows special is their beautiful pink stripe and willingness to hit various lures - from spoons to flies. They're also excellent eating with that mild, slightly nutty flavor. Here's a local trick: when trolling, vary your speed every few minutes. Rainbows get curious about erratic bait movement, and that speed change often triggers strikes when they're just following your lure.
Lake Ontario