Lake Ontario Salmon And Trout Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target Chinook, Coho salmon and multiple trout species AprilOctoberFish aboard spacious 40' Tiara with professional equipment and washroomSmall groups launch from Port Dalhousie for Lake Ontario offshore fishing
Captain Dave and his crew at Niagara Fishing Adventures know Lake Ontario like the back of their hand, and they're ready to put you on some of the best salmon and trout action you'll find anywhere in the Great Lakes. From their home port in Port Dalhousie, you'll head out on their top-rated 40-foot Tiara 3600 Open – a boat built for comfort and serious fishing. With room for up to 10 anglers, a full washroom, and all the gear you need, this isn't your typical cramped charter boat experience. The season runs April through October, and trust me, each month brings something different to get excited about.
Lake Ontario is a salmon and trout angler's dream, and this charter takes full advantage of it. You'll launch from Port Dalhousie and head into waters that consistently produce world-class fish. The Tiara 3600 Open isn't just comfortable – it's rigged with downriggers, planer boards, and fish finders that'll help you stay on the productive water. The crew provides all rods, reels, tackle, and lures, so you can focus on what matters: fighting fish. Early morning departures are the norm here, and for good reason – that's when the big kings and cohos are most active. The boat's wide beam means you won't be shoulder-to-shoulder with other anglers, and the full washroom is a game-changer on those long days chasing trophy fish.
This is serious trolling territory, and the crew knows exactly how to work these waters. They'll run a spread of spoons, plugs, and flasher-fly combos at various depths, using downriggers to get your baits down to where the fish are holding. Lake Ontario's thermal layers change throughout the season, and experienced guides like these adjust their approach accordingly. Spring fishing means working shallower water as fish stage near spawning tributaries, while summer action moves deeper as salmon and trout follow the thermocline. The boat's electronics help locate schools of baitfish – where you find the alewives and smelt, you'll find hungry predators. Planer boards spread your lines wide, covering more water and keeping baits away from the boat's wake. When a fish hits, you'll know it – Lake Ontario salmon don't mess around.
Chinook Salmon are the undisputed kings of Lake Ontario, and for good reason. These bruisers can push 30 pounds or more, with their broad shoulders and incredible stamina making every hookup a battle. Peak season runs from late July through September, when mature kings are feeding heavily before their spawning run. They'll hit big spoons and plugs trolled deep, and once hooked, they'll test your drag system and your endurance. What makes catching a Lake Ontario king special isn't just the size – it's the way they fight in open water, making long runs and aerial displays that smaller water simply can't provide.
Coho Salmon bring a different kind of excitement to the table. These silver rockets are pure energy, known for their acrobatic fights and willingness to take lures. Running 8-15 pounds on average, cohos are perfect for anglers who want consistent action without the marathon battles that kings provide. They're most active from June through August, often found in the top 40 feet of water chasing schools of alewives. When a coho hits your spoon, get ready for jumps, runs, and attitude that'll keep you grinning long after you've released it.
Steelhead Trout are the wild cards in Lake Ontario's lineup. These chrome-bright fighters can show up any time during the season, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action. Lake-run steelhead grow fat and strong in Ontario's deep, cold waters, often reaching 15-20 pounds. They're notorious for their explosive runs and tendency to jump clear of the water when hooked. Unlike their river-running cousins, lake steelhead feed aggressively on baitfish, making them perfect targets for trolling operations.
Brown Trout might not get the headlines, but they're customer favorites for anglers who appreciate both quality and table fare. These golden-sided beauties are often the most challenging to hook, preferring specific lure presentations and showing up when you least expect them. Lake Ontario browns can reach impressive sizes, with fish over 20 pounds caught regularly. They're most active during cooler months and low-light conditions, making early morning charters particularly productive.
Lake Trout round out the cast of characters, offering steady action when salmon fishing slows down. These deep-water specialists live in the lake's coldest layers and can reach massive proportions. While they might not jump like a coho or run like a king, a big laker will give you a powerful, bulldogging fight that showcases the raw strength these fish develop in Lake Ontario's depths. They're particularly popular with anglers who want to target something different while still having a chance at trophy-sized fish.
Lake Ontario salmon and trout fishing doesn't get much better than what Niagara Fishing Adventures offers. Their combination of local knowledge, quality equipment, and genuine passion for putting clients on fish makes this a top-rated choice for both first-time charter guests and seasoned anglers. The Tiara 3600 Open provides the comfort and fishability that smaller boats simply can't match, while the crew's experience in these waters gives you the best shot at memorable catches. Whether you're targeting trophy kings, acrobatic cohos, or any of the other species that make Lake Ontario special, this charter delivers the goods. Seasons book up fast, especially during peak salmon months, so don't wait to secure your spot on one of the Great Lakes' premier fishing experiences.
The Navigator is your ticket to serious Lake Ontario fishing action. This 40-foot Tiara sport fishing vessel cuts through the waters off Port Dalhousie with confidence, giving you a stable 14-foot wide platform to battle those big salmon and trout. When you're hunting Chinook, Coho, steelhead, browns, and lakers from April through October, you need a boat that can handle the open water and keep you comfortable during those long fishing days. This floating fishing machine comes loaded with everything you need - advanced fish finder to locate the schools, GPS and radar to keep you on the productive waters, and VHF radio for safety. The onboard kitchen and refrigerator mean fresh meals and cold drinks, while the icebox keeps your catch fresh. When nature calls, there's a proper toilet onboard so you don't waste fishing time heading back to port. The spacious cockpit gives you plenty of room to work multiple downriggers and handle the legendary Lake Ontario salmon runs. Whether you're trolling the thermocline for suspended fish or working structure for lake trout, this vessel delivers the performance and comfort that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
Salmo SalarAtlantic salmon are rare visitors to Lake Ontario, with most populations protected due to conservation concerns. These sleek, silver fish typically run 28-30 inches and 8-12 pounds when mature. Unlike Pacific salmon, they can survive spawning and return to open water multiple times. They prefer deeper, cooler sections of the lake during summer months and move toward tributaries in fall. What makes them special is their incredible jumping ability and stamina - they'll fight hard and leap clear of the water when hooked. The orange-pink meat is considered premium eating. Since wild Atlantic salmon fishing is heavily restricted, any encounters are typically catch-and-release only. When targeting other species, if you hook into one of these beauties, enjoy the rare experience but handle with extra care for a quick release.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook are the kings of Lake Ontario - these bruisers can hit 30+ pounds and will test your tackle to the limit. Most run 12-39 inches, but the big ones are what dreams are made of. They spend most of their time in deep, cold water following the thermocline, typically 60-150 feet down. Early morning and evening produce the best action since they avoid bright light. What guests love about chinooks is the sheer power - they make long, deep runs and can fight for 20+ minutes. The reddish-pink meat is primo eating too. Spring and fall offer peak fishing when they move shallower to feed. Here's the key: since they hug the bottom in deep water, you need heavy tackle and downriggers to get your baits down to them. Once you find the right depth, stick with it - these fish travel in schools.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon are absolute acrobats - they'll jump 6 feet out of the water when hooked, making them a favorite among our guests. These silver bullets typically run 12-30 inches and weigh 8-12 pounds, though Lake Ontario can produce some real monsters. They cruise the upper water column during cooler months, following baitfish schools around temperature breaks and drop-offs. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during low-light periods at dawn and dusk. What sets coho apart is their aggressive nature and spectacular aerial shows once hooked. The bright orange meat is top-shelf eating too. Here's a local tip: when you see birds working the surface, there's likely coho underneath chasing alewives. Run your lures just below the commotion and hang on - these fish hit hard and fast.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water specialists of Lake Ontario, living in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake year-round. These grey-green giants with cream spots average 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds - they're the largest of the char family. You'll find them suspended over deep basins, often 100+ feet down where the water stays cold. They're slow-growing fish that can live decades, making big ones real trophies. Spring right after ice-out and fall offer the best shots when they move up in the water column. What makes lakers special is their stubborn, bulldogging fight - no flashy jumps, just pure power pulling toward the bottom. The meat is excellent smoked. Pro tip: jigging works best since you're fishing deep. Drop a heavy spoon or jig straight down, work it slowly, and be ready for that subtle thump - lake trout bites can be surprisingly gentle for such big fish.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that have adapted to Lake Ontario's open waters, growing much larger and more silvery than their stream cousins. These fighters typically measure 24 inches but can reach 45 inches and over 20 pounds in our waters. They roam the deeper sections during summer, moving shallower in spring and fall when water temps drop. What makes steelhead special is their incredible endurance - they'll make long, powerful runs and never give up easily. The meat is excellent table fare with a firm texture. Best fishing happens during overcast conditions or early morning when they're actively feeding. Local trick: steelhead are light-sensitive, so when the sun gets high, drop your presentation deeper and slow down your trolling speed. They'll often follow lures for a long time before committing, so patience pays off.
Port Dalhousie, 80 Lighthouse Rd, St. Catharines ON L2N 7P5, Canada