5.0(1 Reviews)Lake Ontario Fishing Charters
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Captain Troy guides 68 hour Lake Ontario fishing tripsCharter accommodates up to four guests per bookingSummer trips target salmon and trout species
Captain Troy Creasy knows Lake Ontario like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish that'll make your arms ache in the best way possible. This isn't some rushed half-day trip – you're looking at 6 to 8 solid hours on some of the Great Lakes' most productive fishing waters. With room for up to four anglers, it's perfect whether you're bringing the family, a few buddies, or planning a fishing date that'll actually impress someone. Fair warning though – summer months can get tricky with stressed fish, so Captain Troy calls the shots on what goes in the cooler and what goes back to fight another day.
You'll be fishing the deep, cold waters where Lake Ontario's legendary salmon and trout populations thrive. Captain Troy runs a clean operation with quality gear, and he's not the type to just drop lines and hope for the best. He reads the water, watches the electronics, and puts you where the fish are feeding. The boat's equipped to handle Lake Ontario's moods – and trust me, this lake has plenty of them. One minute you're glassing calm water, the next you're dealing with rollers that remind you why they call these inland seas. The captain knows when to move, when to stay put, and how to keep you comfortable while you're focused on what matters: getting fish to the net.
This is serious trolling country, and Captain Troy's got the setup to prove it. We're talking downriggers, dipsy divers, and leadcore – the whole arsenal that puts your lures right in the strike zone. Lake Ontario fishing is all about covering water and hitting the right depths where these cold-water species cruise. The captain provides the rods, reels, and terminal tackle, plus he's got the local knowledge on what colors and presentations are working. You might be pulling spoons, running meat rigs, or working plugs depending on what the fish want that day. Don't worry if you've never worked downriggers before – Captain Troy will walk you through it, and by the end of the trip, you'll understand why this method is so deadly effective on the Great Lakes.
Steelhead Trout are the acrobats of Lake Ontario, and once you hook one, you'll understand why anglers travel from across the country just for a shot at these chrome rockets. These fish average 8 to 12 pounds, but don't let that fool you – they fight like they're twice that size. Spring and fall are prime time when they're staging near tributaries, but summer holds can be just as productive if you know where to look. When a steelhead takes your line, expect multiple jumps and screaming runs that'll test your drag and your nerves.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario for good reason. These bruisers can push 30 pounds or more, and they're built for one thing: making anglers work for every inch of line. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with fish scattered throughout the lake's structure and temperature breaks. King salmon don't jump like steelhead, but they'll take you on long, powerful runs toward the bottom that can humble even experienced anglers. Landing a mature chinook is a badge of honor that comes with serious bragging rights.
Brown Trout are the smartest fish in the lake, hands down. They're spooky, selective, and absolutely beautiful when they come to the net. Most browns you'll encounter run 5 to 15 pounds, with occasional monsters that push the 20-pound mark. They're most active in low-light conditions and cooler water, making early morning and evening some of the most productive times. Browns have this habit of following lures for what seems like forever before deciding to strike, and when they do, it's often subtle – more like picking up a wet towel than the aggressive hits you get from salmon.
Lake Trout are the deep-water specialists that call Lake Ontario's coldest zones home. These fish can live for decades and grow to impressive sizes, with 15 to 25-pounders being common catches. They're available year-round but really shine during colder months when they move into shallower water. Lakers fight with steady, bulldogging power rather than flashy runs, but their size more than makes up for any lack of aerial displays. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the lake when caught from cold, clean water.
Lake Ontario fishing with Captain Troy isn't your average charter experience – it's a masterclass in Great Lakes angling with someone who's put in the time to figure out where these fish live and how to catch them consistently. Whether you're after your first salmon, looking to upgrade your personal best, or just want to spend a day on the water with someone who knows what they're doing, this trip delivers. Remember that deposits from canceled trips can roll over to future bookings, but they're forfeited otherwise, so plan accordingly. With only four spots available per trip, these charters fill up fast during prime season. Don't be the angler telling stories about the trip you should have booked – get your dates locked in and get ready for some serious Great Lakes fishing action.
Captain Troy's 30-foot Penn Yan is your ticket to serious Lake Ontario fishing action. This 2000 vessel packs twin 265HP Pleasure Craft engines that'll get you to the productive fishing grounds quickly and safely. The boat's built tough for the big lake's conditions and comfortably handles up to four anglers with plenty of room to work your lines. You'll have everything needed for a successful day on the water - fish finder to locate schools, GPS and radar for navigation, VHF radio for safety, plus onboard refrigerator and kitchen to keep your catch fresh and fuel up between fishing spots. There's even a toilet so you don't miss prime fishing time heading back to shore. Captain Troy knows these waters inside and out, guiding 6 to 8-hour trips targeting Lake Ontario's famous salmon and trout. Summer fishing follows catch regulations with the captain's guidance on keeping stressed legal-size fish. Whether you're after chinook, coho, or steelhead, this setup gives you the best shot at filling the cooler while enjoying Lake Ontario's excellent sport fishing opportunities.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the smart ones - golden-brown backs covered in black spots, they average 2-8 pounds but the lake holds some real tanks over 10. These fish love structure: rocky points, drop-offs, and anywhere there's cover to ambush prey. They'll cruise 20-60 feet deep, moving shallower at dawn and dusk. Fall's the hot ticket when they feed aggressively before winter. What makes them fun? They're fighters with attitude, plus they taste great - mild and firm when cooked right. Browns are spooky though, so stealth matters. My best advice for Ontario: troll tight to structure with small spoons or stick baits. Don't overlook night fishing in fall - they get active when most other fish shut down. Keep your presentations natural and your movements quiet.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario - these silver bullets with black-spotted backs regularly hit 15-25 pounds, with some monsters pushing 30+. They're deep-water fish, usually suspended 60-120 feet down over the basin, following baitfish schools. Early morning and evening are best since they avoid bright light. What draws people to kings? Pure power and size - they'll strip line like nothing else and make runs that'll get your heart pumping. Plus, that orange-pink meat is top-shelf eating. Spring through early summer is prime time before the water gets too warm. Here's my local tip: watch your fishfinder for bait clouds and work just below them with flasher-fly combos. Keep your drag smooth - these fish don't mess around when they decide to go.
Salvelinus NamaycushLakers are the deep-water giants here - grey-green with yellow markings, they average 5-15 pounds but can push 20+ in Ontario's cold depths. These fish live deep year-round, usually 80-150 feet down in the basin where it stays cold and oxygen-rich. Spring right after ice-out and late fall are your best shots when they move up slightly. What's the draw? Pure size potential and a different kind of fight - more bulldogging than jumping. They're excellent eating too, especially the smaller ones. Lakers prefer low-light conditions, so cloudy days work well. Here's my trick: vertical jig with tube jigs or swimbaits right on bottom. Use your electronics to find them first - they'll show as marks near structure or suspended over deep water. Patience pays off with these fish.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that spent time in the big water - they're the same species but these fish are chrome-bright and built like torpedoes. Most run 24-30 inches here on Ontario, though we see some pushing 15+ pounds. They love structure like drop-offs and rocky areas, usually holding in 40-80 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime time when they're actively feeding and moving. What makes them special? Pure fight - they'll jump, run, and test every bit of your gear. The meat's excellent too, firm and clean-tasting. My go-to trick is running spoons just above the thermocline on downriggers. These fish are light-sensitive, so overcast days or dawn/dusk fishing really pays off. Once hooked, keep steady pressure but let them run when they want to.
5.0 out of 5.0Michael Bonham, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Lake Ontario