Half Day Salmon & Trout on Lake Ontario
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Sixhour afternoon charter targeting salmon and trout speciesExpert captain provides instruction, gear, and fish cleaning servicesAccommodates four guests with flexible later start times
Captain Scott Miller knows Lake Ontario like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on fish during this top-rated 6-hour afternoon charter. Whether you're bringing the family for their first taste of Great Lakes fishing or you're a seasoned angler looking to tangle with some chrome-bright salmon, this trip delivers. Starting later in the day gives you flexibility while still hitting prime feeding windows when these predators are most active. With only 4 spots available per trip, you'll get personal attention and plenty of room to work your rods without feeling crowded.
This isn't your typical pond fishing – Lake Ontario is a world-class fishery that produces trophy salmon and trout year-round. Captain Scott runs a clean, well-maintained boat equipped with downriggers, planer boards, and fish finders to locate schools and put your baits in the strike zone. The afternoon timing works perfectly because it lets you sleep in, grab lunch, and still be out there when the bite turns on. You'll learn proper trolling techniques, how to read your rod tips for strikes, and the art of playing big fish in open water. Don't worry about bringing gear – everything from rods and reels to terminal tackle is provided, plus Captain Scott handles all the fish cleaning so you can focus on the fight.
Lake Ontario fishing is all about covering water and finding the thermocline where these cold-water species hang out. Captain Scott uses a combination of downriggers to get your spoons and plugs down to 40-100 feet where the action happens. You'll run multiple lines at different depths and speeds, creating a spread that mimics a school of baitfish. The key is reading the fish finder, watching water temperature, and adjusting your presentation as conditions change. Planer boards let you get baits away from the boat's noise and cover more water. When a rod goes off, it's all hands on deck – these fish make serious runs and you'll need to work together to clear lines and give the angler room to fight.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario, with mature fish pushing 20-30 pounds and fighting like freight trains. These aggressive predators hit hard and make blistering runs that'll test your drag system. Spring through fall offers the best action, but even winter holds fish near thermal areas. What makes them special is their raw power – a big king will take you into your backing and keep you guessing right up to the net.
Brown Trout are the smartest fish in the lake, often called the "fish of a thousand casts" because they're so selective. These golden beauties average 5-15 pounds but can exceed 20, and they're notorious for long, steady runs that seem to go on forever. Fall is prime time when browns move shallow to spawn, but summer offers great action over deeper structure. Their fighting style is different from salmon – more calculated and stubborn, making you earn every inch of line.
Lake Trout are the natives here, with some fish living decades in the deep, cold waters. These spotted fighters prefer depths of 60-150 feet and are available year-round. Lakers have a unique fighting style – they tend to circle and dive deep, using their weight and the lake's depth against you. Catching a 15-20 pound laker is like wrestling with a submarine, and their prehistoric appearance always gets anglers excited.
Rainbow Trout, or Steelhead as they're known in the Great Lakes, are pure athletes. These silver rockets jump, run, and put on an aerial show that'll leave you breathless. Spring and fall see the biggest fish as they stage near tributaries, but summer fishing can be red-hot when you find them chasing bait in 30-80 feet of water. A 10-pound steelhead fights like a fish twice its size, making multiple jumps and screaming runs that test both your skill and your tackle.
Lake Ontario's reputation as a premier Great Lakes fishery isn't just marketing hype – it's the real deal. Captain Scott's afternoon charters give you the best of both worlds: a relaxed start time and prime fishing during active feeding periods. With expert instruction, quality gear, and fish cleaning included, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard. The 4-person limit ensures everyone gets hands-on time and personal coaching. Whether you're after your first Great Lakes salmon or looking to add a trophy trout to your list, this charter puts you in position to make it happen. Book now and get ready to experience why Lake Ontario keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Your fishing platform for this Lake Ontario salmon and trout adventure is the Baha 310, a reliable 31-foot cuddy cabin cruiser that's been working these waters since 1989. Twin PCM 351 engines pump out 480HP, giving you the power to reach the productive fishing zones where Chinook salmon and steelhead roam. The spacious cabin layout comfortably handles up to 6 anglers, with plenty of room to move around when fighting those hard-running lake trout. Captain Scott has equipped this boat with the electronics you need for serious fishing - GPS to mark the hot spots, radar for those foggy Lake Ontario mornings, and a fish finder to locate schools holding in the depths. The onboard facilities include a head, so you can focus on fishing without worrying about comfort during your 6-hour trip. Whether you're trolling the thermocline for browns or working the shallows for rainbows, this sturdy cruiser handles Lake Ontario's conditions while giving you a stable platform to land your catch.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the smart ones - they've earned their reputation as the most challenging trout to fool. Running 18-26 inches on average in Ontario waters, they're ambush predators that love structure like rocky drop-offs and weed edges. These fish feed heavily at night but can be caught during the day, especially in overcast conditions. Fall is prime time when they get aggressive before winter. What makes them special is their wariness - landing a big brown feels like solving a puzzle. They fight dirty too, using cover and making sudden direction changes. The golden-brown sides with black spots make them beautiful, and they taste great. Here's something that works: when browns are being picky, try fishing just outside their comfort zone rather than right in their face. They'll often come investigate from a distance.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario, averaging 15-25 pounds with some pushing 30+. These fish stay deep most of the time, often suspended 60-120 feet down in the cooler water. They're light-sensitive, so they hunt near bottom during bright days but will come up in low light. Spring through fall offers the best action, with late summer being prime time. What draws anglers is the sheer power - once hooked, these fish make long, determined runs that'll test your equipment. The dark pink meat is restaurant-quality too. Since they prefer deeper water, we use downriggers and heavy tackle. Pro tip: when we're marking fish on the sonar but they won't bite, try switching to a smaller spoon and slow your trolling speed. Sometimes finicky kings want a subtle presentation.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water specialists of Ontario, living in the coldest, deepest parts where most other fish can't survive. These char typically run 24-36 inches and 15-25 pounds, making them the heavyweights of the trout family. They stay deep year-round, often 80-150 feet down, suspended over the basin in oxygen-rich water. Spring right after ice-out and fall are best when they come up a bit shallower. What anglers love is their steady, powerful fight - no jumping, just pure bulldogging strength. The light, flaky meat is excellent eating too. Since they live so deep, jigging is usually most effective. Here's a trick that produces: when you find them on the electronics, don't just drop straight down. Move off to the side 50 feet and jig at an angle - sometimes they spook from boat noise directly overhead.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are essentially rainbow trout that have adapted to lake living, which makes them bigger and stronger fighters than their stream cousins. These silver beauties typically run 24-30 inches in Ontario waters and can hit 10+ pounds. They cruise the deeper, cooler parts of the lake during summer but come shallow in spring and fall when water temps drop. What makes them special is that incredible fight - they'll jump, run, and test your drag like few other fish. The meat is firm and tasty too. Best fishing happens during overcast conditions or low light periods. Here's a tip that works well out here: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them. Let them run and tire themselves out, because trying to muscle a fresh steelhead usually ends with a broken line.
Lake Ontario