New York Steelhead and Salmon Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fullday charter targeting Steelhead, Brown Trout, and Chinook SalmonProfessional instruction and quality gear provided for all skill levelsEighthour guided trips run seasonally from October through April
When those autumn leaves start falling and winter's chill settles over Western New York, that's when the real fishing action heats up. From mid-October through April, our Great Lakes tributaries come alive with some of the most sought-after fish in the region. This full-day charter puts you right in the thick of it, targeting chrome-bright steelhead, powerful chinook salmon, scrappy coho, and gorgeous brown trout. Whether you've been swinging flies for decades or just picked up your first rod, we'll get you dialed in on these legendary waters. With just two anglers per trip, you're getting personalized attention that makes all the difference between going home with stories and going home with fish.
Your 8-hour day starts early – that's when these fish are most active and the crowds haven't hit the prime spots yet. We'll meet up and head to whichever tributary is fishing best that day. Could be the Salmon River, Oak Orchard Creek, or one of the dozen other productive waters I keep tabs on. The beauty of this charter is flexibility – we're not locked into one location when fish are constantly moving with water temps and flows. You'll get hands-on instruction throughout the day, learning to read water, spot holding lies, and feel the difference between a snag and that heart-stopping steelhead take. All your gear is included, from rods and reels to terminal tackle, so you can focus on fishing instead of worrying about what to bring. The only thing missing is lunch – we stay focused on fishing during prime hours, so pack something hearty to keep your energy up.
We fish these tributaries using proven methods that consistently put fish on the line. Center-pinning is king here – that long drift with a float allows your bait to move naturally through the strike zone where these fish are staged. We'll also work with spinning gear when conditions call for it, especially when targeting salmon in deeper pools. Egg patterns, spawn bags, and streamers all have their place depending on what the fish are telling us. I'll teach you how to mend your line, control your drift, and detect those subtle takes that separate the pros from the weekend warriors. The gear we use is top-shelf stuff – smooth drags that won't break off a hot steelhead, sensitive rods that telegraph every bump and tick, and reels that can handle long runs without seizing up. Water conditions change daily, so we adapt our approach whether we're fishing gin-clear water or dealing with some color from recent rains.
Steelhead trout are the stars of the show from November through March, with these Lake Ontario giants averaging 6-12 pounds of pure muscle. These fish are famous for their acrobatic fights – expect multiple jumps, screaming runs, and that signature head-shaking that'll test your drag system. They're most active during overcast days and love holding in tailouts below deep pools. What makes steelhead special is their unpredictability – one minute they're sipping eggs off the bottom, the next they're crushing streamers with aggressive strikes that'll pull the rod right out of your hands.
Chinook salmon dominate the early season from October into November, with mature fish pushing 15-25 pounds. These are the bulldozers of the tributaries – when a king salmon decides to run, you better hang on tight. They prefer deeper water and can be moody, but when they're on, it's game time. Late-season chinooks are darker and more aggressive, making them perfect targets for anglers who want to feel their drag sing. The key is finding fresh fish that haven't been on the tribs too long – they fight harder and look better for photos.
Coho salmon offer fantastic action from late September through November, typically running 5-8 pounds with occasional specimens pushing double digits. These silver rockets are incredibly acrobatic, often jumping multiple times during a fight. They're more willing to hit lures than their chinook cousins, making them great fun on lighter tackle. Coho respond well to bright colors and moving baits, so we'll often work the water column with spoons and plugs when targeting these fish specifically.
Brown trout are the wild cards that can show up any time during the season, ranging from 3-8 pounds with occasional monsters that'll make your knees shake. These fish are incredibly spooky and prefer low-light conditions, making early morning and late afternoon the prime windows. Browns are opportunistic feeders that'll eat everything from insects to small fish, so we'll often switch up our presentation when targeting these beautiful, butter-colored fighters. They're arguably the prettiest fish in these waters, with their golden flanks and distinctive spots.
This seasonal fishery doesn't wait around – when conditions are right and fish are moving, that's when you want to be on the water. The October through April window gives us the best shot at multiple species, but prime dates fill up fast among local anglers who know when to strike. With only two spots per trip, you're getting the kind of personalized instruction and fishing time that larger operations simply can't match. A non-refundable deposit locks in your date, and trust me, you'll want to secure your spot early. These Western New York tributaries produce some of the best freshwater fishing on the continent, and there's nothing quite like feeling a fresh steelhead peel line off your reel on a crisp winter morning. Ready to experience what serious Great Lakes anglers have known for decades? Let's get you booked and put some serious fish on the end of your line.
Step aboard our brand-new 2025 721 ZXL Phoenix, your ticket to productive steelhead and salmon fishing on Western New York's Great Lakes tributaries. This motorboat comes loaded with serious fish-finding technology including Garmin Livescope and dual Lowrance HD units that'll help you spot those elusive steelies holding in the current. Two powerpoles keep you locked in position when you find the honey hole, while the Lowrance Ghost trolling motor lets you work the water quietly without spooking fish. The widened front deck gives you and your fishing partner plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. An onboard icebox keeps your lunch and drinks cold during those long October through April sessions chasing chrome-bright salmon and trout. With GPS navigation, you'll efficiently move between productive runs and pools throughout your 8-hour charter on these legendary Great Lakes waters.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smartest fish in our tributaries - golden-brown backs with black spots and that telltale orange adipose fin near the tail. Most run 12-20 inches, but don't let size fool you - these fish fight hard and are incredibly wary. They love deep pools, undercut banks, and anywhere with good cover like fallen trees or boulders. Browns feed most actively during low-light periods, making early morning and evening prime time during our season. What anglers love about browns is their challenging nature and excellent table fare - mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. They're also the most likely to take surface presentations when conditions are right. Here's the key with browns: they spook easily, so keep noise down and make longer casts. Fish slow and methodical - these aren't aggressive feeders like salmon.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon - the kings of our tributaries - are the biggest salmon you'll encounter here, typically running 20-30 pounds with some pushing even larger. These silver-sided giants have black spots covering their backs, fins, and distinctive black mouths. They prefer the deepest pools and runs, often hugging bottom since they're sensitive to light. Our season timing is perfect as these fish move up from Lake Ontario to spawn. What makes kings special is their sheer size and bulldogging power - no fancy jumps, just pure muscle that'll test your drag system. The reddish-pink meat is some of the best eating you'll find. Since they stay deep, get your bait down to them - I like running heavier weights to keep presentations in the strike zone near bottom where these bruisers are holding.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silver salmon, are absolute acrobats when hooked - they'll jump clean out of the water and put on a show you won't forget. These fish typically run 12-30 inches and weigh 8-12 pounds in our tributaries, with their distinctive silver sides and dark blue-green backs making them easy to spot. During our October-April season, they move into the tributaries to spawn, preferring deeper pools and runs with good current. What makes cohos special is their aggressive nature and that bright orange-red meat that tastes fantastic on the table. They're known to leap up to 6 feet vertically, so keep your rod tip down when fighting one or they'll throw the hook on you. Look for them holding in the deeper water below riffles, especially on overcast days.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are the ultimate freshwater fighters - same species as rainbow trout, but these have spent time in the Great Lakes, making them bigger, stronger, and chrome-bright silver. Most of our steelhead run 24 inches, though we see fish pushing 30+ inches regularly. They love cold, moving water and will hold behind boulders, in deep runs, and under cut banks during our season. Peak action happens from late fall through early spring when water temps drop and fish are fresh from the lakes. What sets steelhead apart is their raw power and stamina - they'll make long runs and jump repeatedly. The meat is top-notch eating too. Pro tip: fish your presentations low and slow. These fish are spooky, so a dead-drift with your bait just ticking bottom in the strike zone is usually your best bet.
Buffalo, NY