8 Hour Family Fishing Trip Lake Ontario
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Eighthour family fishing adventure on Lake Ontario watersTarget brown trout, lake trout, pike, and chinook salmonAll gear, bait, and fish cleaning services included
Captain Mike knows how to show families a good time on Lake Ontario's productive waters around Henderson Harbor. This full-day fishing adventure starts early at 6:30 AM, giving you the best shot at hooking into brown trout, lake trout, northern pike, and chinook salmon. With eight solid hours on the water, there's plenty of time for everyone to get their lines wet and experience the rush of fighting these Great Lakes favorites. The captain handles all the heavy lifting - gear, bait, and cleaning your catch - so parents can focus on helping the kids and soaking up family time on one of New York's premier fishing destinations.
Henderson Harbor puts you right in the heart of Lake Ontario's most consistent fishing zones, and Captain Mike knows every productive spot within reach. The trip kicks off before sunrise, which is prime time for targeting trout and salmon as they cruise the thermal layers. You'll start in the protected back bays where the water stays calm - perfect for kids who might get queasy in rougher conditions. These sheltered areas also happen to hold some serious northern pike, especially around the weed edges and drop-offs. As the morning progresses, Captain Mike reads the conditions and adjusts the game plan. Maybe that means heading to deeper water for lake trout, or working the nearshore structure where browns and kings patrol for baitfish. The beauty of an eight-hour charter is flexibility - there's time to try different techniques and locations without feeling rushed. Pack your own snacks and drinks to keep energy levels up, and don't forget that New York fishing license. The base rate covers four anglers, but Captain Mike can accommodate larger groups for an extra hundred per additional person.
Lake Ontario fishing is all about covering water and finding active fish, which means trolling is the name of the game. Captain Mike runs a well-equipped boat with downriggers, planer boards, and all the electronics needed to locate fish and present lures at the right depths. You'll be pulling a spread of spoons, plugs, and cut bait behind the boat at various levels in the water column. The downriggers let you get lures down to where lake trout and salmon are holding in the thermocline, while planer boards spread lines out wide to cover more territory. Don't worry if you've never trolled before - Captain Mike walks everyone through the process and handles the technical stuff like setting depths and reading the fish finder. When a rod starts bouncing, that's your cue to grab it and start reeling. The drag systems are set properly for each species, so focus on keeping steady pressure and letting the rod do the work. Kids especially love the anticipation of watching rod tips and waiting for that telltale strike. All tackle is included, from heavy salmon rods down to lighter setups for trout fishing in the shallows.
Northern pike are the perfect starter fish for kids on this trip. These aggressive predators lurk in the weedy back bays around Henderson Harbor and hit lures with authority. Most pike here run 20 to 30 inches, with occasional fish pushing 35 inches or more. They're most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are cooler, but you can find them year-round in the right spots. What makes pike special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump, roll, and make screaming runs that get everyone's attention. Plus, they're not as finicky as some other species, so beginners have a good shot at connecting.
Chinook salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario, and hooking into a mature king is an experience the whole family will remember. These fish average 15 to 25 pounds but can top 30 pounds during peak runs. Spring and fall offer the best chances, when kings are staging near river mouths or cruising deep water following bait schools. The fight is legendary - long, powerful runs that test your endurance and the boat's drag system. Captain Mike targets them with large spoons and plugs pulled behind downriggers in 40 to 100 feet of water. Even smaller family members can land a king with proper coaching and a fighting belt.
Brown trout are the craftiest residents of these waters, known for their wariness and spectacular jumps when hooked. Lake Ontario browns average 3 to 8 pounds, with trophy fish exceeding 15 pounds. They're most cooperative during low-light periods, which is why that early start time pays dividends. Browns often feed close to shore around rocky structure and drop-offs, making them perfect targets when conditions in the back bays are calm. Their golden flanks and spotted sides make them some of the most beautiful fish you'll catch, and they're excellent table fare too.
Lake trout represent the deep-water challenge on this trip. These native char thrive in Lake Ontario's cold depths and can live for decades, with some specimens reaching 20 pounds or more. They're typically found in 60 to 120 feet of water during summer months, requiring downriggers and heavy tackle to reach them effectively. Lake trout have a unique fighting style - they don't jump like salmon or make blistering runs like kings, but they're incredibly strong and stubborn. Once hooked, they head straight down and wage a grinding battle that tests your arm strength. The reward is a prehistoric-looking fish with beautiful marbled coloring that photographs well for family memories.
Captain Mike's eight-hour family fishing trip offers the complete Lake Ontario experience without breaking the bank. You get a full day on productive waters, all gear and bait provided, professional fish cleaning service, and the chance to target four different species that fight in completely different ways. Henderson Harbor's sheltered waters make this trip suitable for kids and beginners, while the variety of techniques and target species keeps experienced anglers engaged. The early morning start means you're fishing during peak feeding times, and eight hours gives you the flexibility to adapt to conditions and fish behavior throughout the day. Whether you're introducing kids to
Captain Mike's motorboat is built for serious Lake Ontario fishing, equipped with everything your family needs for a successful day chasing brown trout, lake trout, northern pike, and chinook salmon. The GPS navigation keeps us on the best fishing spots while the fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below. VHF radio ensures we stay connected with other boats and harbor communications. There's an onboard toilet so the kids don't have to hold it during our 8-hour adventure. The boat comfortably handles four anglers with room to move around while fighting fish. Perfect for working the calm back bays where beginners can learn the ropes, then heading to deeper waters when the bite gets hot. All the marine electronics help us stay on fish throughout the day, making sure everyone gets their shot at landing a trophy.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are smart, cautious fish that typically run 8-24 inches and 1-9 pounds in our waters. They love cool, clear areas with good cover - think rocky drop-offs, weed lines, and structure. Fall is when they really turn on, feeding aggressively as water temps drop. What makes browns special is their wariness; they're the hardest trout to fool, which makes landing one feel like a real accomplishment. They taste fantastic too - mild, sweet, and firm. Early morning and overcast days are your best bet since they avoid bright light. During our trips, I like to work the deeper pools and areas with current breaks. Local secret: browns often follow the baitfish schools, so if we're marking alewives on the finder, there's usually browns nearby. Patience pays off with these fish.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario, averaging 7-15 pounds but often hitting 20-30 pounds. These silver bullets with black-spotted backs and fins are built for speed and power. They cruise the deep, cold waters during summer, usually 40-80 feet down where the temperature stays cool. Early morning and evening are your best shots since they're light-sensitive. Families love targeting these fish because when you hook one, everyone on the boat gets involved - they're legendary fighters that will test your drag and make multiple runs. The meat is outstanding too, with that rich orange-pink color. Pro tip for Lake Ontario: troll slowly with downriggers and watch your fish finder for suspended fish. When you mark them, drop your gear to that exact depth.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of Ontario, averaging 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds. These cold-water char live in the deepest parts of the lake, often 60-100 feet down in summer. They're gray-green with cream-colored spots and built for the cold depths. Spring right after ice-out and fall are prime seasons when they move shallower. Families enjoy them because once hooked, lakers are strong, steady fighters - no crazy jumps, just pure power pulling drag. They also make excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. The key here is jigging in deep water - we'll use heavy jigs with paddle-tail swimbaits to mimic wounded baitfish. Watch your electronics closely; when you see suspended fish, drop your jig right to them and work it with sharp lifts and drops.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are aggressive predators that average 2 feet and 3-4 pounds in Lake Ontario, though bigger ones definitely lurk in our waters. These "freshwater sharks" have razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. You'll find them in the shallow, weedy back bays where they ambush prey like yellow perch and suckers. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're active in warmer shallows. Pike are scrappy fighters that make sudden explosive runs, plus they're great eating when prepared right. Here's a local trick: when you feel that first hit, don't set the hook immediately. Pike often grab prey sideways first, so give them a few seconds to turn it around before setting the hook. Use steel leaders - trust me on this one.
Lake Ontario