Full Day Salmon & Trout Trip in Oswego, NY
Private Trip
River Fishing
Six to eight hour salmon and trout fishing adventurePlugging technique creates intense strikes and heartpounding actionSmall group experience with maximum two guests per trip
When the water levels rise in Oswego, that's when things get really interesting for serious anglers. Mississippi John's Guide Service knows exactly when conditions are prime for plugging – one of the most heart-pounding ways to target salmon and trout in these waters. This full-day adventure runs six to eight hours, giving you plenty of time to work the productive zones and battle some of the Lake Ontario tributaries' finest fish. Whether you're anchored up in a deep hole or drifting along productive structure, you're going to experience the kind of rod-bending strikes that make plugging legendary among local anglers.
Your day starts early when the fish are most active, and you'll quickly understand why plugging has such a devoted following in Oswego. This technique involves working artificial lures that mimic the baitfish salmon and trout are actively feeding on. The strikes come fast and furious – nothing subtle about a 20-pound king hitting your plug at full speed. You'll be fishing prime locations where migrating salmon stage before their spawning runs, plus the deeper pools where resident trout lurk year-round. The intimate two-angler capacity means you get personalized attention and won't be fighting for the best spots with a crowd. Your guide knows every productive drift, undercut bank, and current seam where these fish hold, adjusting tactics throughout the day as conditions change.
Plugging is all about presentation and reading the water correctly. You'll be using medium-heavy to heavy action rods paired with reels that can handle screaming runs when a big salmon decides to head for deeper water. The plugs themselves are carefully selected based on water clarity, depth, and what the fish are feeding on – everything from deep-diving crankbaits to suspending jerkbaits that trigger aggressive strikes. Your guide will show you how to work these lures with the right cadence, whether that's a steady retrieve through a run or an erratic stop-and-go action that drives predatory fish crazy. The key is matching your presentation to the current conditions and the mood of the fish, something that comes from years of experience on these waters.
Chinook salmon are the undisputed kings of Oswego's waters, and for good reason. These bruising fish average 15 to 25 pounds, with trophy specimens pushing 30 pounds or more during peak migration periods. They're most active from late summer through fall when they're staging for spawning runs, but you'll find them in the system almost year-round. What makes chinooks so special is their incredible power – they'll test your drag, your technique, and your stamina like no other freshwater fish. When one hits your plug, you'll know it immediately from the way your rod loads up and line starts peeling off your reel.
Brown trout in these waters are absolute gems, known for their wariness and explosive fights. They typically run 3 to 8 pounds, though the occasional wall-hanger pushes double digits. Browns are most active during low-light periods and cooler months, making them perfect targets for early morning sessions. They're incredibly structure-oriented, holding tight to undercut banks, fallen timber, and rocky areas where they can ambush prey. What anglers love about browns is their unpredictability – they might follow your plug for 50 feet before striking, or slam it the instant it hits the water.
Rainbow trout bring pure athleticism to every fight, jumping and running like freshwater torpedoes. Most rainbows here range from 2 to 6 pounds, but they fight well above their weight class with spectacular aerial displays. They're active throughout the year but really turn on during spring and fall migrations. Rainbows school more than browns, so when you find one, there are usually others nearby. Their willingness to chase plugs and their spectacular jumps make them a favorite among anglers who appreciate both action and acrobatics.
This top-rated Oswego fishing experience combines the best of what makes plugging so addictive – technical fishing, explosive strikes, and trophy-class fish that will test every aspect of your angling skills. With just two spots available per trip, you're guaranteed the personalized attention that separates great guides from average ones. Mississippi John's Guide Service has built their reputation on putting clients on fish when others come up empty, and their intimate knowledge of local waters shows in the results. Don't wait for the perfect conditions – book now and experience why plugging for salmon and trout in Oswego has become the customer favorite among serious anglers.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the smartest fish in these waters, averaging 8-24 inches but capable of hitting 30+ in the right conditions. They're homebodies that love cover - think rocky structure, fallen trees, and deep pools during daylight. Fall brings out their aggressive feeding, especially at night when they get bold and move shallow. What draws people back? They fight dirty with sudden direction changes and have that mild, sweet taste that's perfect on the table. In Oswego's high water, browns will tuck tight to banks and undercuts where the current breaks. Here's the trick: when the water's up like this, cast your plug upstream and let it work back naturally - browns expect their food to come from above in these conditions.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the real prize out here - these silver-sided giants with their distinctive black mouths can stretch 30+ inches and hit 20-30 pounds regularly. They stick to deeper water since they're light-sensitive, so we'll be running weighted gear and targeting early morning or evening bites. What makes them special? That hard-fighting reputation is well-earned, plus the orange-pink meat is top-shelf eating. In Oswego's surging waters, they love structure and current breaks where they can ambush baitfish. Pro tip: when plugging for kings, don't set the hook on the first hit - let them turn and run with it for a solid hookset. These fish have the power to snap light tackle if you're not ready for their initial surge.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbows are pure energy wrapped in that classic pink-striped package, typically running 8-24 inches and 2-8 pounds. They prefer clean, cool water around 55-65°F and gravelly areas with good current flow. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're active and feeding heavily. What makes them a favorite? Those acrobatic jumps when hooked and their willingness to chase moving baits in all kinds of conditions. You'll find them near shoreline structure and current seams in Oswego's tributaries. Local secret: in high water like we get here, rainbows move into the slack water behind big rocks and boulders - work your plug right along those edges where fast water meets calm. They can't resist a well-presented lure drifting past their holding spot.
Oswego