Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Half Day Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Private 6hour trolling charter targeting five salmon and trout speciesCaptain provides toptier gear, bait, and complimentary fish filleting servicePeak season fishing from April through June on Lake Ontario
Captain Adam Avery knows Lake Ontario like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This private 6-hour trolling charter runs during the prime salmon and trout season from April through June, when these magnificent fish are most active in the cool waters off Port Dalhousie. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a fishing rod, Adam's got the experience to make your day on the water count. You'll target Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, steelhead, brown trout, and lake trout using top-tier trolling gear, with all bait included and professional fish filleting at the end of your trip.
Your adventure starts bright and early at 6:00 AM or kicks off at noon, depending on which departure time works better for your schedule. Port Dalhousie offers easy access to some of Lake Ontario's most productive fishing zones, where cold water currents and thermal layers create perfect conditions for salmon and trout. Captain Adam runs a clean, well-maintained charter boat equipped with downriggers, planer boards, and all the trolling gear you'll need to reach fish at various depths. The spring months bring these species close to shore as they follow baitfish migrations, making for some of the most consistent action of the year. You'll cover water efficiently while Adam reads his fish finder and adjusts tactics based on what he's seeing below. The rate covers up to 2 anglers with room for 4 total guests, so non-fishing family members or friends can come along to enjoy the ride and cheer you on.
Lake Ontario trolling is all about covering water and presenting lures at the right depth where fish are feeding. Captain Adam uses a combination of downriggers and planer boards to spread lines out and target different water columns simultaneously. You'll run spoons, plugs, and cut bait behind attractors like flashers and dodgers that create vibration and flash to draw strikes. The key is maintaining proper boat speed – usually between 2.5 and 3.5 mph – while following contour lines and temperature breaks where baitfish concentrate. Adam adjusts lure colors and depths based on water clarity, weather conditions, and what the fish are telling him through his electronics. Spring trolling often means working the 40 to 80-foot depths where salmon and trout cruise, but don't be surprised if he takes you shallow or deep depending on where the action is that day. The beauty of this approach is that it works for all skill levels – beginners can learn proper rod handling and fighting techniques while experienced anglers can pick up new tricks for reading Lake Ontario's ever-changing conditions.
Chinook salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario, with mature fish reaching 20 to 30 pounds and providing fights that will test your endurance. These powerful fish make long runs and use their bulk to their advantage, often heading deep or toward structure when hooked. Spring Chinooks are fresh from their winter feeding and pack serious strength. They're most active in water temperatures between 45 and 55 degrees, which makes April through June prime time for targeting them in the Port Dalhousie area.
Coho salmon bring a different kind of excitement with their acrobatic jumps and aggressive strikes. These silver rockets typically run 8 to 15 pounds but make up for their smaller size with pure athleticism. Cohos will leap clear out of the water multiple times during a fight, putting on a show that gets everyone on the boat fired up. They prefer slightly warmer water than Chinooks and often feed higher in the water column, making them perfect targets for planer board presentations.
Steelhead trout are legendary for their stamina and fighting ability, earning respect from anglers worldwide. These chrome-bright fish average 8 to 12 pounds in Lake Ontario but fight like they're twice that size. Steelhead make long, powerful runs and have incredible endurance that can wear out even experienced anglers. They're often the most challenging species to land, with a knack for throwing hooks at the worst possible moment.
Brown trout are the smartest fish in the lake, requiring finesse and patience to consistently catch. These golden-bronze beauties can reach impressive sizes, with fish over 15 pounds caught regularly in Lake Ontario's deeper waters. Browns are notorious for their wariness and often require subtle presentations and perfect bait placement. When you do hook one, they fight with a determined, bulldogging style that's different from the flashier salmon species.
Lake trout are the deep-water specialists, cruising the coldest parts of Lake Ontario year-round. These native char can live for decades and reach enormous sizes, with fish over 20 pounds not uncommon. Lakers have a unique fighting style – they use their size and the deep water to their advantage, making steady, powerful runs toward the bottom. They're often caught in the deepest water of the trip, requiring heavy tackle and patience to bring up from the depths.
Captain Adam's Lake Ontario charter offers everything you need for a successful day of salmon and trout fishing during the peak spring season. From the professional-grade trolling equipment to the post-trip fish cleaning service, every detail is covered so you can focus on the fishing. The spring window from April through June provides the most consistent action of the year, with multiple species actively feeding in relatively shallow water. Whether you're looking to introduce someone new to Great Lakes fishing or you're a seasoned angler wanting to learn Lake Ontario's trolling secrets, this charter delivers the goods. Book your spot now and get ready to experience some of the best salmon and trout fishing that Lake Ontario has to offer.
Get ready to target Lake Ontario's trophy salmon and trout aboard our 19ft 2015 Starcraft deep-V hull aluminum fishing boat. This Great Lakes workhorse cuts through Ontario's chop with ease, powered by a reliable 150 HP Mercury outboard that cruises at 45 mph to get you on the fish fast. The deep-V design handles big water conditions while keeping you stable for fighting those hard-running Chinooks and steelhead. We've rigged her with modern electronics to locate schools and top-tier trolling setups that'll put lines in the strike zone. Whether you're after spring salmon pushing into the shallows or browns hugging the thermocline, this boat gets you there comfortably with room for up to 4 guests. Built tough for the Great Lakes, she's your ticket to some serious Lake Ontario action.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the crafty veterans of Lake Ontario - they're smart, spooky, and absolutely beautiful with their golden-brown backs covered in black and red spots. These fish average 8-15 pounds here, but the occasional heavyweight will surprise you. They're structure-oriented, hanging around drop-offs, points, and anywhere baitfish congregate. What makes browns special is their wariness - they've earned their reputation as the "educated" trout. When you hook one, they fight with a mix of power and cunning, often making sudden direction changes that catch anglers off guard. The meat is excellent, with a slightly firmer texture than other trout. Browns feed more aggressively during low-light periods, which is why our early morning departures often produce the best action. My go-to tip for browns: vary your trolling speed more than you would for other species. Browns often respond to subtle speed changes that trigger their predatory instincts when a steady pace doesn't work.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario, often called "kings" for good reason. These bruisers typically range from 15-25 pounds here, though we see plenty that push 30-plus. They're deep-water fish, preferring to stay down where it's cool and dark, which is why our downrigger setup works so well. Chinooks have that distinctive black mouth and gums, plus spots on their tail fin. April through June is prime time when they're actively feeding and putting on weight. What makes them special is the combination of size, fight, and table quality - that rich, orange-pink meat is outstanding. Kings don't jump like cohos, but they'll take long, powerful runs that'll make your arms burn. Here's something I've learned over the years: when targeting kings specifically, don't be afraid to fish deeper than you think. While other species might be at 40-60 feet, kings often hang out at 80-100 feet where the temperature suits them perfectly.
Oncorhynchus KisutchKnown as "silver salmon," cohos are prized for their acrobatic fights and spectacular jumps - they can leap 6 feet straight up! These scrappy fish typically run 8-12 pounds in Lake Ontario, with their bright silver sides and dark spotted backs making them easy to identify. During our spring season, cohos cruise the mid-water column looking for baitfish like alewives. What makes them special is their aggressive nature and willingness to hit lures, plus that bright orange-red meat that tastes fantastic on the dinner table. They're genuine crowd-pleasers because even smaller cohos put up a serious battle. Here's a local trick: when we're marking fish on the sonar but they won't bite, switching to a smaller spoon and dropping it just below where the cohos are suspended often triggers strikes. These fish can be finicky, but once you dial in the right depth and presentation, they'll make your day memorable.
Salvelinus NamaycushLakers are the true natives of Lake Ontario's deep, cold waters, and they're built for this environment. These grey-green fish with cream-colored spots are the largest of the char family, averaging 15-25 pounds with some real monsters going 30-plus. They live in the deep basins, often suspended 60-120 feet down where the water stays cold year-round. What's unique about lake trout is their longevity - these fish can live decades, growing slowly but steadily. They're powerful fighters that use the deep water to their advantage, making long runs toward the bottom. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for smoking or grilling. Spring fishing after ice-out is prime time when they move up a bit to feed. Here's a trick that works well: when you hook a laker, don't rush the fight. Let them tire themselves out in the deep water rather than forcing them up quickly - it prevents the swim bladder issues that can happen when bringing deep-water fish up too fast.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that decided to live large - they're the same species, but these Lake Ontario fish have that classic silver chrome look with black spots scattered across their backs. Most of our steelies run 24-30 inches and fight like fish twice their size. They're nomads, roaming the open waters chasing baitfish, which makes them perfect for our trolling approach. Spring is prime time when they're feeding heavily before spawning season. What guests love about steelhead is their raw power and endurance - they'll make multiple screaming runs and aerial displays that test your drag and your nerves. The meat is excellent eating too, with that pink flesh that's milder than salmon. One tip I always share: when a steelhead goes airborne, bow to the fish by lowering your rod tip to give slack - it prevents them from throwing the hook on those spectacular jumps.
Dunnville, ON