NY Fishing with Locked with Lorensen
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target trophy-sized Salmon and Trout in premier watersExperienced guides provide access to optimal fishing conditionsSmall group capacity ensures personalized angling experience
Looking to land that trophy fish you've been dreaming about? The Salmon and Oswego Rivers in New York offer some of the most productive salmon and trout fishing on the East Coast, and there's no better way to experience it than with Locked with Lorensen. This isn't your typical day on the water – we're talking about targeting seriously impressive fish in waters that consistently produce bragging-rights catches. With only two spots available per trip, you'll get the personalized attention every angler deserves, plus access to the prime fishing spots that locals have been keeping quiet about for years.
Your day starts early because that's when the big fish are most active. We'll meet you at the launch with all the gear you need, though feel free to bring your own lucky rod if you've got one. The Salmon and Oswego Rivers are famous for a reason – these waterways see massive salmon runs that bring fish straight from Lake Ontario, and the resident trout population is nothing to scoff at either. Expect to spend your time drifting productive pools, working structure, and positioning yourself where the current brings baitfish right to the predators. The guides know exactly where to find fish based on water temperature, flow conditions, and seasonal patterns. You'll be fishing some deep holes that hold monster chinooks, plus shallower runs where aggressive cohos love to ambush prey. The beauty of this fishery is its variety – one cast might bring a hard-fighting rainbow, while the next could hook into a salmon that'll test every ounce of your tackle.
We run a mix of techniques depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. Drift fishing with spawn sacs and skein is a go-to method, especially when salmon are holding in deeper pools during their spawning runs. You'll also work spoons and spinners through the current seams where trout like to stage. The guides will set you up with medium-heavy rods that can handle the torque of a big chinook but still have enough sensitivity to feel a trout's subtle take. We're talking 10-15 pound test mainline with lighter fluorocarbon leaders – strong enough for the big boys but fine enough that spooky fish won't see it coming. Centerpinning is popular here when conditions allow, giving you that perfect drift presentation that drives these fish crazy. The current in these rivers can be tricky, so having an experienced guide reading the water makes all the difference between going home with photos and going home with stories about the ones that got away.
Rainbow Trout here are absolute rockets – we're seeing fish in the 8-12 pound range regularly, with some pushing even bigger numbers. These aren't your typical stocked trout; they're lake-run fish that have been feeding in Lake Ontario and come into the rivers fat and aggressive. They hit hard and run even harder, often going airborne multiple times during the fight. Best fishing for rainbows typically runs from late fall through early spring when they're staging for their spawning runs.
Coho Salmon, also called silvers, are pure adrenaline on the end of your line. Running anywhere from 8-15 pounds, these fish are known for their acrobatic fights and never-give-up attitude. They move into the rivers during late summer and fall, and when they're fresh from the lake, they'll test every knot in your setup. Cohos love flashy presentations and often hit with such force that you'll think you snagged bottom – until that bottom starts swimming away from you.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of this fishery, and for good reason. We're talking fish that can push 20-30 pounds or more, with the occasional true giant that'll make your reel scream. These fish run the rivers from August through October, and when you hook into a fresh king, you better be ready for a battle. They're notorious for long, powerful runs and have a habit of finding every snag in the river. The biggest chinooks often come early in the season when they first enter the system.
Brown Trout round out the slam, and these are some of the smartest fish in the river. Lake-run browns can exceed 15 pounds and are incredibly wary, often requiring perfect presentations and stealthy approaches. They're most active during low-light conditions and love deeper holes with good cover. When you do connect with a big brown, expect a methodical, bulldogging fight that'll make you appreciate quality drag systems.
The Salmon and Oswego Rivers don't give up their secrets to just anyone, but with Locked with Lorensen, you're getting access to decades of local knowledge and prime fishing spots that consistently produce quality fish. This is peak season fishing at its finest, and with only two anglers per trip, you're guaranteed the kind of personalized attention that makes the difference between a good day and an legendary one. The non-refundable deposit secures your spot because these trips book up fast – especially when word gets out about the size of fish being caught. Don't be the angler sitting at home watching social media posts of monster fish that could have been yours. Grab your spot now and get ready to experience some of the best salmon and trout fishing New York has to offer.
Our 2013 Hyde drift boat is the perfect platform for chasing salmon and trout on New York's legendary waters. This 18-foot vessel cuts through the Salmon and Oswego Rivers with ease, powered by a reliable 9HP Mercury that gets us to the hot spots without spooking the fish. The shallow draft design lets us access those prime fishing areas that bigger boats can't reach. We've equipped her with everything serious anglers need - a quality fish finder to locate schools, GPS for pinpoint navigation to productive water, and a proper livewell to keep your catch fresh. The spacious icebox handles your drinks and lunch for those long days on the river. With room for up to 3 people, there's plenty of casting space while maintaining that intimate fishing experience. The stable platform gives you confidence when fighting trophy fish, whether you're drifting through deep pools or anchored in current breaks where the big ones lurk.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the wariest fish in our system, averaging 8-24 inches and 1-9 pounds. These golden-brown beauties with black spots love cool, clear water and plenty of cover - think undercut banks, fallen logs, and deep pools. They're most active during fall nights when they feed aggressively before winter, but dawn and dusk produce year-round. What makes browns special is their intelligence - they'll test every aspect of your technique. They're excellent table fare with firm, mild flesh. Unlike other trout, mature browns become almost nocturnal, making them a real challenge. You'll find them holding in the deepest, most protected spots during the day. In the tributaries, they stack up in pools below spawning areas. My go-to strategy: fish streamers and woolly buggers on sinking lines through the deep runs after dark. During the day, try dead-drifting nymphs tight to structure - patience pays off with these fish.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon, the "kings" of our rivers, are the largest salmon species averaging 12-39 inches and 7-15 pounds, though monsters over 20 pounds aren't uncommon. These fish are light-sensitive, so they hug the bottom during bright days and move shallow at dawn and dusk. You'll find them in deep pools and current seams, especially where tributaries meet the main stem. September and early October bring the best action as they migrate upstream. Kings are bulldogs - no flashy jumps, just raw power that'll test your tackle and patience. Their reddish-pink meat is prized by chefs everywhere. Unlike other salmon, they're bottom-oriented feeders, so weighted presentations work best. Here's what works: early morning or evening, run weighted spoons or plugs deep through the holes. When they're holding tight, dead-drifting roe under floats can turn stubborn fish into biters.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called "silvers," typically run 12-30 inches and 8-12 pounds in our waters. These fish are pure athletes - they can jump 6 feet vertically and put on aerial shows that'll get your heart pumping. You'll find them staging in deeper pools and current breaks, especially around structure like fallen trees or rocky areas. September through October is peak season when they're pushing upstream to spawn. What sets cohos apart is their aggressive nature and bright orange-red meat that's table fare at its finest. They'll hit spinners, spoons, and flies with authority. The males develop that distinctive hooked jaw during spawn, making them easy to identify. Here's a local trick: in fast water, swing bright spinners through the runs, but in holding pools, try twitching jigs with long tails - that extra movement triggers strikes when they're being finicky.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout average 8-24 inches and 2-8 pounds, with that signature pink stripe running down their silvery sides. They love clean, cool water between 55-64°F, so you'll find them in deeper pools during summer and shallower runs when it's cooler. These fish are strong fighters known for their acrobatic jumps - they'll test your drag for sure. Spring and fall are prime times when they're most active, especially at dawn and dusk. What makes them special is they're great indicators of water quality - if rainbows are thriving, you know you're fishing pristine water. The meat has a mild, slightly nutty flavor that's perfect on the grill. Pro tip: in our tributaries, focus on gravelly areas with good current where they hunt for insects. Keep your bait just off the bottom and be ready for that sudden strike.
Oswego County