Private Lake Ontario Fishing Charter for Salmon and Trout
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12hour private charter targeting Chinook Salmon and Brown TroutProfessional guidance with all rods, reels, and tackle includedMaximum 4 guests exploring Mexico Bay and offshore waters
When you want to get serious about targeting trophy salmon and trout, this 12-hour private charter on Lake Ontario is exactly what you need. Based out of Mexico Bay, New York, this world-class fishing experience gives you and up to three buddies the entire day to work productive offshore waters where Chinook salmon and brown trout roam. Captain and crew from Finhooker Charters know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish using proven techniques and prime fishing spots that consistently produce results. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to step up your game or seasoned anglers wanting maximum time on the water, this marathon trip delivers the extended fishing time that separates good days from legendary ones.
This isn't your typical half-day trip – 12 hours means you're getting the full Lake Ontario experience from dawn till dusk. You'll start early when the fish are most active, giving you prime morning bite opportunities before other boats hit the water. The charter covers both Mexico Bay's protected waters and the deeper offshore zones where the big kings and browns cruise. Your captain provides all the rods, reels, and tackle needed, plus the local knowledge that makes the difference between going through the motions and actually putting fish in the boat. All skill levels are welcome since the crew works with everyone from first-timers to tournament anglers, adjusting techniques and coaching as needed. Just bring your valid New York fishing license and be ready for a full day of serious fishing action.
Lake Ontario salmon and trout fishing is all about precision trolling with downriggers and planer boards to cover water effectively. The crew runs a spread of spoons, plugs, and cut bait at different depths to find where fish are holding on any given day. Downriggers get your lures down to the thermocline where salmon stack up in summer months, while planer boards spread lines wide to cover more territory and avoid spooking fish directly behind the boat. Spring means working shallower water as fish move toward spawning areas, while summer fishing focuses on deeper, cooler water offshore. The boat's fish finder and GPS help locate baitfish schools and temperature breaks that concentrate predators. With 12 hours on the water, there's time to experiment with different presentations, adjust to changing conditions, and really dial in what's working best that day.
Chinook salmon are the undisputed kings of Lake Ontario, with fish regularly hitting 20-30 pounds and occasional monsters pushing 40 pounds or more. These silver bullets fight like freight trains, making long runs and testing your drag system to its limits. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with fish scattered throughout the water column depending on temperature and bait movements. Brown trout offer a different kind of challenge – they're incredibly smart and often the most difficult to fool, but when you hook into a mature brown pushing 15-20 pounds, you'll understand why they're considered the thinking angler's target. Coho salmon provide non-stop action when they're around, typically smaller than kings but making up for it with acrobatic fights and aggressive strikes. Rainbow trout are the most consistent biters, beautiful fish that fight well above their weight class and make excellent table fare. Lake trout round out the mix as deep-water specialists, often caught while targeting other species but capable of surprising size in Ontario's cold, deep waters.
Chinook salmon represent the pinnacle of Great Lakes fishing, with Lake Ontario producing some of the largest specimens anywhere. These Pacific transplants have thrived in Ontario's cold, nutrient-rich waters, growing fat on alewives and reaching sizes that rival their ocean cousins. Spring finds them shallow as they prepare for spawning runs, while summer pushes them deep to follow the thermocline. Their raw power and endurance make every hookup a battle worth remembering.
Brown trout are the craftiest fish swimming in these waters, originally from European stock but perfectly adapted to Lake Ontario's environment. They're notorious for following lures without committing, inspecting presentations with the wariness that's kept their species thriving for generations. When you finally fool a big brown, expect a fight that combines power with intelligence – they'll use every trick in the book to throw your hook. Fall months offer prime opportunities as browns move shallow for their own spawning cycle.
Coho salmon bring pure excitement to any fishing day with their spectacular aerial displays and aggressive feeding behavior. While smaller than their Chinook cousins, cohoes make up for size with attitude, often jumping repeatedly and never giving up the fight easily. They school heavily during certain periods, creating fast-action fishing that keeps everyone busy. Summer months typically provide the most consistent coho action in Ontario's waters.
Rainbow trout offer the perfect combination of beauty, fight, and eating quality that makes them a customer favorite on every charter. These chrome-sided fighters are Lake Ontario natives that have adapted perfectly to the lake's ecosystem. They're willing biters throughout the season and provide steady action when salmon fishing slows down. Rainbows also make excellent table fare, with firm, pink meat that's perfect for the grill.
Lake trout represent the true natives of these deep, cold waters, perfectly evolved for life in the Great Lakes environment. While often caught as bonus fish while targeting other species, lakers can reach impressive sizes in Ontario's depths. They prefer the deepest, coldest water available and fight with a steady, bulldogging power that tests your endurance. Winter months offer the best lake trout opportunities as other species move to warmer water.
A 12-hour private charter represents serious value for dedicated anglers who want to maximize their time on world-class fishing waters. With Lake Ontario's reputation as one of North America's top-rated salmon and trout fisheries, booking with experienced local guides like Finhooker Charters gives you the best
Our well-equipped motorboat cuts through Lake Ontario's waters with ease, taking you and up to 3 fellow anglers to the prime salmon and trout grounds around Mexico Bay. The boat features reliable GPS navigation to hit those productive spots where Chinook salmon and brown trout feed, plus a quality fish finder that'll show you what's swimming below. When nature calls during your 12-hour adventure, there's an onboard toilet so you don't have to cut your fishing short. Built for offshore fishing, this boat handles Lake Ontario's conditions while giving you a stable platform to fight those trophy fish. The captain knows these waters inside and out, so you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time searching for fish.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are smart, wary fish that average 8-24 inches and 1-9 pounds in our waters. They're the trickiest to catch but also the most rewarding. These golden-brown beauties with black spots love structure - drop-offs, rocky areas, and temperature breaks. Fall nights are prime time when they feed aggressively. Browns are known for their excellent fighting ability and are considered premium table fare. They can live up to 12 years, so some real trophies swim these waters. Spring and fall offer the best chances when water temps hit that 54-65°F sweet spot. Pro tip: browns are spookier than other trout, so when trolling, run your lures farther back from the boat - 150-200 feet of line often makes the difference.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the giants of Lake Ontario, averaging 12-39 inches and 7-15 pounds, but 20-30 pounders aren't uncommon. Known as Kings, they're light-sensitive fish that stay deep during bright days, making downriggers essential for consistent success. These bruiser salmon provide epic battles with powerful runs and head shakes. The reddish-pink meat is top-shelf eating. Spring and fall offer the best action when they move toward tributaries. Early morning and evening produce the most strikes since they avoid bright light. Local tip: when targeting Kings in deeper water, don't be afraid to fish right on bottom with your downrigger balls - these fish often hug the lake floor and a lure just off bottom gets their attention.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, typically run 12-30 inches and weigh 8-12 pounds in Lake Ontario waters. They're known for being incredibly acrobatic - these fish will jump up to 6 feet when hooked, making for some exciting fights. You'll find them in deeper, cooler waters during summer, but they move shallower during spring and fall migrations. The bright orange-red meat is outstanding table fare. Cohos are aggressive feeders that hit spoons, plugs, and flies hard. Best fishing is early morning or evening when light conditions are low. Here's a local trick: when you see one coho caught in an area, stick around - they often travel in small schools, so there's usually more nearby.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the heavyweights of the char family, commonly reaching 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds in Lake Ontario's deep, cold waters. These gray-green fish with cream colored markings live in the deep basins year-round, often suspended 60-150 feet down. They're slow-growing, long-lived fish that put up a strong, steady fight rather than flashy jumps. Lakers are excellent eating with firm, flaky meat. Jigging is the go-to method since they live so deep - vertical presentations work best. Overcast days and low-light periods produce better action. Here's my best tip for lakers: when jigging, let your spoon or jig flutter down on a semi-slack line - that's when most strikes happen on the fall.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout run 8-24 inches and average 2-8 pounds in Lake Ontario, with their signature pink stripe and spotted sides making them easy to identify. They prefer cooler water temps between 55-64°F, so you'll find them deeper during summer and closer to surface in spring and fall. These fish are scrappy fighters that'll jump and run when hooked. What makes them special is their clean water requirement - they're a good sign of healthy fishery. The meat is excellent eating with a mild, slightly nutty flavor. Local tip: when trolling for them out in the deeper water, try varying your speed every few minutes. That speed change often triggers strikes when they're following but not committing.
Lake Ontario