8 Hour Lake Ontario Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
8hour Lake Ontario charter targets multiple fish speciesCaptain Mike guides trips for up to 4 guestsBrown Trout, Lake Trout, Pike, and King Salmon fishing
Captain Mike knows Lake Ontario like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish. This full-day charter takes you into the deep waters of Lake Ontario and the productive back bays around Henderson Harbor, where four-species action keeps your rods bent all day long. With room for up to four anglers, this top-rated charter gives you the perfect mix of big lake fishing and sheltered bay tactics. Pack your cooler with lunch and drinks because you'll be out there from dawn to dusk, working the best spots when the fish are most active.
Your day starts early at Henderson Harbor, where Captain Mike's well-equipped charter boat waits at the dock. The first few hours typically focus on the main lake structure, where trout and salmon cruise the thermocline looking for baitfish. You'll cover serious ground using downriggers and planer boards to spread your lines across different depths and temperatures. When the main lake bite slows down, Mike shifts gears and heads into the back bays where pike lurk in the weeds and drop-offs. These protected waters offer a completely different fishing experience, with sight fishing opportunities and explosive strikes that'll get your heart pumping. The boat's fish finder and GPS keep you on productive water, while the captain's decades of local knowledge put you ahead of the learning curve.
Captain Mike's boat comes rigged with everything you need for this diverse fishery. Downriggers handle the deep water presentations for trout and salmon, pulling your baits down 40 to 100 feet where the big fish cruise. Spoons, dodger-and-fly combos, and cut bait all have their place depending on conditions and what's working that day. For the back bay pike action, you'll switch to casting gear with spinnerbaits, spoons, and live bait rigs. The captain provides all rods, reels, and terminal tackle, though you're welcome to bring your own gear if you have favorites. Polarized sunglasses are a must for spotting fish in the shallows, and layers work best since lake conditions can change quickly. The boat's electronics include a quality fish finder and surface temperature gauge, crucial tools for locating the thermocline and marking baitfish schools.
Northern Pike in these back bays are pure aggression with fins. These toothy predators patrol the weed edges and ambush anything that moves, making them perfect targets for sight casting. Spring and fall produce the biggest pike, with fish over 40 inches not uncommon in these fertile waters. They hit hard and fight dirty, using their length and power to make spectacular jumps and runs toward cover. Pike fishing here is visual and exciting, especially when you can watch a big fish follow your lure right to the boat.
Chinook Salmon, the kings of Lake Ontario, show up best from late spring through early fall when they're feeding heavily in the main lake. These silver rockets can exceed 30 pounds and will test your tackle to its limits. King salmon fight like nothing else in freshwater, making blistering runs and aerial displays that separate the serious anglers from the weekend warriors. They're structure-oriented fish that follow the bait schools, making electronics and local knowledge essential for consistent success.
Brown Trout are the smartest fish in the lake and arguably the most rewarding to catch. These bronze-sided beauties can live over a decade and grow well into the teens in terms of pounds. They're most active in cooler water periods and often feed near the surface during low light conditions. Browns have incredible eyesight and can be line-shy, making light tackle and natural presentations key to fooling these educated fish. Their fight combines the speed of a salmon with the cunning of a trophy bass.
Lake Trout represent the deep water specialists of Lake Ontario's ecosystem. These char prefer the coldest, deepest water and can live for decades, growing to impressive sizes. Lakers are most cooperative during spring and fall when they move into shallower water, but summer fishing can be productive if you're willing to fish deep. They're powerful fighters that use the depths to their advantage, making long, steady runs that test your drag system and patience.
This eight-hour charter delivers world-class fishing action across multiple species and fishing styles. Captain Mike's local expertise and well-maintained equipment give you the best shot at a memorable day on the water. Whether you're after a trophy pike from the back bays or a screaming king salmon from the main lake, this Henderson Harbor charter puts you in the right place at the right time. The four-person capacity keeps the boat from getting crowded while splitting costs among your fishing crew. Book your Lake Ontario adventure today and get ready for some serious rod-bending action that'll have you planning your next trip before this one's over.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are smart, wary fish that average 12-18 inches in Lake Ontario, but we see plenty in the 3-5 pound range. These golden-brown beauties with black spots prefer cooler water temps around 55-65°F and will move deep in summer heat. They're most active during low-light conditions - early morning, evening, or overcast days. Fall brings aggressive feeding before winter, making it prime time. What guests love about browns is their wariness makes them a challenge, but when hooked, they fight with strong runs and aerial displays. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, flaky meat. My go-to technique: troll with small spoons or stick baits near structure in 40-80 feet of water. Keep your presentation natural and don't rush the fight - browns have soft mouths that tear easily.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook Salmon, or Kings, are the biggest salmon in Lake Ontario - we're talking 12-20 pounds with some monsters pushing 30+. These silver bullets with black-spotted backs prefer the deeper, colder waters and are light-sensitive, so dawn and dusk fishing produces best results. They're built for power with their broad shoulders and forked tails. Spring through fall offers good action, but late summer when they're feeding heavy before spawning runs is prime time. What makes Kings special is their strength - they'll strip line and jump, giving you a battle that can last 20 minutes. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for the grill. Here's the key: troll deep with downriggers and use bright spoons or plugs. When you hook up, keep steady pressure but let your drag do the work.
Salvelinus NamaycushLakers are the deep-water giants of Lake Ontario, averaging 15-25 pounds with fish over 30 not uncommon. These grey-green char with cream markings live in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake - often 80-200 feet down in summer. They're slow-growing fish that can live 25+ years, making big ones true trophies. Spring after ice-out and fall are best when they come up to feed, but we catch them year-round by going deep. Lakers fight differently than other trout - more of a strong, steady pull than flashy jumps. The meat is rich and oily, great smoked. Jigging is the name of the game - drop heavy jigs or spoons to the bottom and work them vertically. My secret: use your fish finder to locate schools suspended mid-water, then jig right through them.
Esox LuciusNorthern Pike are aggressive predators that average 24 inches and 3-4 pounds, though bigger ones lurk in our waters. These "freshwater sharks" have razor-sharp teeth and ambush prey from weedy cover in the back bays. They're not fast swimmers but deliver explosive strikes that'll test your drag. Spring and fall are prime times when they hunt actively in shallow areas near vegetation. Pike fight hard with sudden runs and head shakes - guests love the aggressive strikes and the challenge of landing one without getting cut by those teeth. My tip: use a steel leader and work your lure slowly through the weeds. When you feel that first hit, don't set the hook right away - let them turn and run with it before you strike back.
Lake Ontario