Salmon Trip on Lake Ontario Tributaries
Private Trip
River Fishing
Target Chinook and Coho salmon in Lake Ontario tributariesExpert guide selects prime fishing locations based on conditionsFlexible 8hour trips accommodate drift or wade fishing styles
When those salmon start their fall run up the Black River and Salmon River systems, you know it's game time. Captain Jeff with Reel Pressure Guide Service has been working these Lake Ontario tributaries for years, and he knows exactly where to find the best action. Whether you're a seasoned angler or looking to land your first King, this trip puts you right in the heart of some of New York's hottest salmon fishing. We're talking about waters that see massive runs of Chinook and Coho salmon every year, and Jeff's got the local knowledge to put you on fish when others are coming up empty.
This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're watching the clock. Jeff's willing to put in up to 8 hours to make sure you get your shot at these powerful fish. Depending on conditions, water levels, and where the salmon are staging, you might find yourself drift fishing the deeper pools or wading prime spawning areas. The Black River and Salmon River each have their own personality - some days the action is hot on one system while the other is slow, but that's where Jeff's years of experience pay off. He's constantly checking conditions and talking to his network of local anglers to put you on the most productive water. You'll be targeting both Chinook and Coho salmon as they move up from Lake Ontario, and these fish are fresh, strong, and ready to fight.
These tributary salmon respond to different presentations depending on their mood and the water conditions. Jeff will have you rigged with everything from spawn bags and skein to spoons and spinners, matching the technique to what the fish want that day. In the deeper pools, you'll likely be drift fishing with a float setup, letting your bait tumble naturally through the strike zone. When the water's right for wading, you might find yourself working the gravel bars and tailouts where salmon are holding before making their next upstream push. The gear needs to be stout - these aren't your average trout. You're looking at fish that can easily top 20 pounds and have the power to strip line like nothing you've experienced. Jeff provides all the rods, reels, and terminal tackle, but if you've got a favorite salmon rod, bring it along. Just make sure your drag is smooth and you've got plenty of backing.
The Chinook salmon, also known as King salmon, are the real prize in these waters. These monsters can push 30 pounds or more, and when you hook into one, you'll know it immediately. They typically start showing up in good numbers by late August and the run continues strong through October. What makes Kings so special is their raw power - they'll make blistering runs that can take you well into your backing, and they're notorious for jumping and throwing hooks. The key is staying calm and letting your drag do the work. Coho salmon, or silvers, are smaller but pound-for-pound they might be even more acrobatic. A 10-pound Coho will put on an aerial display that'll leave you grinning for days. They show up slightly earlier than the Kings, usually by mid-August, and they're often more aggressive about hitting lures and flies. Both species are absolutely fresh when they first enter the tributaries, still carrying that Lake Ontario chrome and packed with energy from feeding in the big water.
Chinook Salmon are the undisputed kings of the Great Lakes, and the Lake Ontario strain is some of the strongest you'll find anywhere. These fish spend years growing fat in the lake's depths, feeding on alewives and building the muscle mass that makes them such powerful fighters. During the fall run, a big King can easily exceed 25 pounds, with fish over 30 pounds caught every season. They prefer the deeper pools and runs, often holding in the same spots year after year. What makes them so exciting is their unpredictability - one minute they're ignoring everything you throw at them, the next they're crushing your offering and heading downstream like a freight train. The best fishing typically happens from September through mid-October when water temps start dropping and the fish are actively moving upstream.
Coho Salmon bring a different kind of excitement to the table. While they might not have the pure size of their Chinook cousins, they make up for it with attitude and acrobatics. A typical Coho runs 8-15 pounds, but they fight like fish twice their size. They're also more willing to chase lures and flies, making them a great target when the Kings are being finicky. Coho are known for their spectacular jumps - it's not unusual to see one completely clear the water multiple times during a fight. They start entering the tributaries in late August and the peak action often happens in early September. These fish are incredibly fresh and chrome-bright when they first arrive, and their aggressive nature makes them a favorite among both fly fishermen and conventional tackle anglers.
The fall salmon run is one of the most popular fishing seasons in all of New York, and for good reason. These fish represent some of the best freshwater angling you'll find anywhere, and Jeff's intimate knowledge of the Black River and Salmon River systems gives you a serious advantage. With spots limited to just two anglers per trip, you're getting personalized attention and the flexibility to adjust tactics as conditions change. Whether you're looking to land your first salmon or add another trophy to your collection, this trip delivers the kind of fishing that keeps anglers coming back year after year. Don't wait too long to book - the peak weeks fill up fast, and you don't want to miss out on what could be the fishing trip of a lifetime.
This drift boat cuts through the Black River and Salmon River systems like it was built for these waters. With room for two anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work your lines while Jeff navigates the current and puts you on the fish. The boat handles these Lake Ontario tributaries perfectly, whether you're drifting deep pools for Chinook or working the shallows for Coho. Jeff knows every bend, hole, and run on these rivers after years of chasing salmon through this system. When conditions call for it, he'll beach the boat and you can wade the prime spots. The setup gives you flexibility to fish however the salmon are biting that day. Built for long days on the water - Jeff will keep you out up to 8 hours when the fish are running hot. This boat gets you to water that most anglers never see.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of our tributaries, running 12-30+ pounds when they push up from Lake Ontario. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted backs and tails are what every angler dreams about hooking. They hit the rivers hard during fall runs, usually holding in deeper pools and current breaks where they can rest. What makes them special is that raw power - once hooked, they'll peel line and test your drag like nothing else. The meat is top-notch too, with that rich orange-pink color that's perfect for the grill. Here's a tip I share with guests: fish early morning or evening when they're most active, and don't be afraid to get your bait down deep. These fish stay near the bottom, so weighted rigs and patience are key to connecting with a true trophy.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or silvers as we call them, are pure athletes in the 8-12 pound range. What sets them apart is their acrobatic fight - these fish will jump clean out of the water and make runs that'll have you scrambling. They've got that classic salmon look with dark blue-green backs and bright silver sides, but turn darker as spawning approaches. Cohos love holding in slower water behind structure and in deep pools throughout our tributary system. The fall runs are prime time when water temps start dropping. Guests love targeting them because they're aggressive feeders and put on a show once hooked. The orange-red meat is fantastic eating too. My go-to trick for cohos is using bright colors - chartreuse and pink work great in our stained water. Float fishing with roe or swinging spinners through their holding spots usually does the trick.
Brewerton, NY