Target Chinook & Coho Salmon on 8-Hour Lake Ontario Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eighthour offshore charter targeting Chinook and Coho salmon on Lake OntarioProfessional trolling equipment and downriggers provided for all experience levelsMaximum four guests with experienced crew from Kings Ransom Sportfishing
When you're serious about salmon fishing on Lake Ontario, this 8-hour charter from Sodus Point puts you right where the action is. Captain and crew at Kings Ransom Sportfishing know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll get you into the thick of the salmon runs that make this stretch of the Great Lakes legendary. With just 4 anglers max, you're not fighting for rod time or prime spots at the transom. This is Lake Ontario salmon fishing the way it should be done – with enough time on the water to really dial in on the fish and plenty of elbow room to work your gear properly.
You'll meet the crew at first light in Sodus Point, one of the top-rated launching spots for serious salmon trolling on the south shore. The boat heads out into the deep blue of Lake Ontario, where the captain uses fish finders and temperature readings to locate the thermocline where salmon are actively feeding. This isn't a rush job – with 8 full hours, there's time to work multiple spots, adjust your spread, and really zero in on what's working. The crew sets you up with quality downrigger rods and all the terminal tackle, but feel free to bring your own gear if you've got favorites. Weather permitting, you'll be working depths anywhere from 60 to 200 feet, following the bait and temperature breaks where these fish cruise. The captain reads the water conditions and adjusts the game plan throughout the day, whether that means moving to a different depth zone or switching up lure colors based on what the fish are telling you.
Lake Ontario salmon fishing is all about precision trolling with downriggers, and the crew has this system dialed in. You'll be running a spread of dodgers, flashers, and spoons at various depths to cover the water column where salmon are holding. The boat carries professional-grade downrigger setups that let you present lures exactly where you need them, following the contours of the thermocline as it shifts throughout the day. Typical speeds run 2.5 to 3.2 mph, but the captain adjusts based on water temperature and fish activity. You'll learn to read the sonar for bait schools and watch for the subtle tick of a rod tip that signals a fish picking up your offering. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is having time to experiment – if the standard silver spoons aren't producing, there's time to switch to different colors or try cut bait behind a dodger. Every angler gets hands-on time with the gear, from setting lines to working fish, whether you're new to downrigging or you've been chasing salmon for years.
The Chinook salmon that cruise these waters are the real deal – these aren't your average lake trout. Mature kings in Lake Ontario regularly push 20 to 30 pounds, with trophy fish hitting 35 pounds or better during peak season. They're incredibly strong fighters that'll test your drag and your stamina, especially when they make their signature deep runs toward the bottom. Chinook are most active during the cooler months from late spring through fall, when water temperatures in the 50 to 60-degree range keep them feeding aggressively in the upper portions of the water column. These fish are pure muscle and attitude – when a big king grabs your spoon, you'll know it immediately from the way it loads up your rod and starts peeling line. The coho salmon are smaller but make up for size with pure energy and acrobatics. A hot coho will jump, run, and generally raise hell on the end of your line, making them a customer favorite for their fighting spirit. Cohos typically run 8 to 15 pounds in these waters, but what they lack in size compared to the kings, they make up for in numbers and pure fighting energy.
Chinook salmon are the crown jewel of Lake Ontario fishing, and for good reason. These Pacific transplants have thrived in the Great Lakes ecosystem, growing fat on alewives and developing the kind of bulk that makes them legendary among salmon anglers. The best fishing typically runs from May through September, with peak action often hitting during the summer months when baitfish are abundant and water temperatures are stable. What makes chinook so exciting isn't just their size – it's their intelligence. These fish have seen plenty of lures over their 3 to 4-year lifespan, so they can be selective about what they'll hit. When you do connect with a mature king, expect a fight that can last 15 to 20 minutes, with powerful runs that'll have you questioning your knots and drag settings.
Coho salmon bring a completely different energy to your fishing day. These silver rockets are built for speed and acrobatics, often launching themselves clear out of the water multiple times during a fight. Cohos are generally more aggressive than their chinook cousins, making them great targets when you want consistent action. They're most active during the same seasonal window as the kings, but they tend to be more cooperative when conditions get tough. A coho on light tackle is pure entertainment – they're fast, unpredictable, and they never give up easy. Many anglers actually prefer the scrappy fight of a 12-pound coho to the brute strength of a 25-pound king, and after you've fought a few, you'll understand why these fish have such a dedicated following among Lake Ontario regulars.
This full-day charter gives you the real Lake Ontario salmon experience – no shortcuts, no rushed fishing, just 8 solid hours to work the water and target some of the finest salmon fishing in the Great Lakes. With Kings Ransom Sportfishing, you're getting local knowledge that comes from years of reading these waters, plus the kind of personalized attention that's only possible with small groups. The crew provides all the rods, reels, and tackle you
The King's Ransom has been prowling Lake Ontario waters since 1991, and this 33-foot fishing machine knows exactly where the salmon hide. Twin 454-horsepower engines power you out to the deep water structure where Chinook and Coho stage up, while the onboard fish finder pinpoints active schools below. When you're battling trophy salmon on downriggers, you'll appreciate the stable platform this boat provides. The air conditioning keeps you comfortable between bites, and the refrigerator ensures your catch stays fresh alongside cold drinks. GPS navigation gets you to productive trolling zones efficiently, while radar keeps you safe if weather rolls in. The VHF radio maintains contact with other charter boats sharing hot bite reports. After hours of working the thermocline for kings and cohos, the onboard facilities including restroom make long fishing days more comfortable. Built for serious salmon fishing, this vessel handles Lake Ontario's conditions while giving four anglers plenty of room to work lines without tangling. Professional trolling setup comes standard, so you can focus on fighting fish instead of rigging tackle.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario, typically running 12-20 pounds with some pushing 30+. These silver-sided beauties with dark backs and black-spotted fins prefer cooler, deeper water - usually 60-120 feet down where the thermocline sits. They're light-sensitive, so early morning and evening bites are prime time, though we target them all day using downriggers. What makes kings special is their power - they'll peel line and test your drag like no other fish in the lake. The reddish-pink meat is top-shelf eating too. Local tip: when you feel that first heavy thump, resist the urge to horse them up. Keep steady pressure and let them tire themselves out on those deep runs, or they'll throw the hook every time.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are the acrobats of the lake - smaller than kings at 8-12 pounds, but they'll jump clean out of the water and put on a real show. These chrome-sided fighters cruise the upper water column, usually 20-60 feet down, making them easier to target than their deeper cousins. Cohos are aggressive feeders and will hit lures hard, then go absolutely crazy on the line. Spring through early fall are your best shots, especially when baitfish are active near the surface. The bright orange meat tastes fantastic, and their fighting spirit keeps things exciting even for experienced anglers. Pro tip: when a coho goes airborne, bow to the fish - drop your rod tip toward where they jumped. This keeps tension without breaking them off during those wild aerial displays.
Lake Ontario