Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Family Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour charter targets salmon, trout, and local speciesFamilyfriendly experience with gear and professional guidance includedAccommodates four guests with all skill levels welcome
Nothing beats the feeling of hooking into a chunky Chinook salmon on Lake Ontario while your kids are cheering you on from the deck. Rod Benders Sport Fishing has designed this eight-hour family charter specifically for groups who want to experience some of the Great Lakes' best fishing without leaving anyone behind. Whether you're teaching your teenager how to handle a screaming reel or watching your spouse land their first lake trout, this trip puts everyone on fish in one of North America's most productive freshwater fisheries. Our experienced crew provides all the gear, safety equipment, and hands-on instruction needed to make sure every angler in your group of up to four people goes home with stories and hopefully some fillets for dinner.
Lake Ontario fishing is all about covering water and finding where the fish are holding, and that's exactly what we'll do during your full day charter. We launch early to beat the crowds and get you positioned over productive structure before the fish move to deeper water. The lake's thermal layers create perfect habitat for multiple trout and salmon species, so you're never targeting just one type of fish. Your guide will read the electronics, adjust depths based on water temperature, and move spots throughout the day to keep lines tight. Families love this style of fishing because there's always something happening - whether it's watching the downriggers work, learning to read the fish finder, or helping land fish for other anglers in your group. The boat stays comfortable all day with plenty of room to move around, and our crew makes sure everyone gets equal time on the rods regardless of age or experience level.
Lake Ontario fishing is dominated by trolling techniques that cover massive amounts of water while presenting lures at precise depths where salmon and trout are feeding. We run a spread of downriggers, planer boards, and lead core lines to put baits everywhere from surface down to 100 feet or more. Your guide will show you how spoons, plugs, and cut bait each trigger strikes from different species throughout the day. Downriggers are perfect for beginners because they take the guesswork out of depth control - when a fish hits, the line pops free and you're fighting the fish directly. We use quality Penn and Shimano reels matched with medium-heavy rods that can handle big fish but won't wear out smaller anglers. Learning to work the electronics, adjust for boat speed, and recognize productive water temperatures gives families insights into what makes Lake Ontario such a consistent fishery. The crew handles all the technical setup while teaching you the basics, so you spend more time fighting fish than rigging lines.
Chinook salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario, with fish regularly topping 20 pounds and providing the kind of drag-screaming fights that make legends. These Pacific transplants feed aggressively from spring through fall, staging near river mouths before their spawning runs. Chinooks hit hard and fight deep, using their size and the lake's open water to test your patience and technique. Peak season runs from late April through September, with the largest fish typically caught during summer months when they're feeding heavily on alewives and smelt.
Coho salmon bring pure speed and acrobatics to every hookup, jumping repeatedly and making blazing runs that get everyone on the boat excited. These silver rockets average 8-12 pounds but fight like fish twice their size, often clearing the water multiple times during the battle. Cohos are more aggressive than Chinooks in cooler water and provide consistent action throughout the season. They're perfect for younger anglers because fights are exciting but manageable, and they respond well to bright spoons and plugs worked in the upper water column.
Lake trout are the natives here, with some fish living decades in Ontario's cold depths and reaching impressive sizes. These spotted fighters prefer deeper water and provide steady, powerful battles that showcase their strength. Lakers hit consistently year-round and often surprise anglers with their size - fish over 15 pounds are common, with true giants lurking in the lake's deepest holes. They're excellent table fare and represent the lake's original gamefish heritage.
Brown trout combine wariness with explosive power, making them a favorite target for experienced anglers while remaining catchable for beginners with proper presentation. These European imports have adapted perfectly to Lake Ontario's ecosystem and provide some of the most challenging fishing available. Browns are notorious for testing drag systems with long, determined runs, and they're extremely selective about lure presentation and boat positioning.
Rainbow trout, locally called steelhead, offer nonstop action and beautiful silver sides that flash in the sunlight during their aerial displays. These fish are built for speed and endurance, making multiple runs and jumps that keep anglers on their toes throughout the fight. Rainbows respond well to small spoons and plugs, making them perfect targets for lighter tackle when conditions allow. They school up in huge numbers during certain times of the year, providing the kind of fast action that keeps kids engaged and excited about fishing.
Rod Benders Sport Fishing has spent years perfecting family charters that put everyone on fish while creating memories that last lifetimes. This eight-hour Lake Ontario adventure gives your group access to world-class fishing with professional guides who know how to work with anglers of all skill levels. The lake's diverse fishery means you're targeting multiple species throughout the day, keeping the action varied and exciting for everyone aboard. All gear, safety equipment, and instruction are included, so you just need to show up ready to fish. Lake Ontario's salmon and trout fishing is trending upward with excellent populations of all target species, making this the perfect time to experience one of the Great Lakes' premier fisheries with your family or close friends.
Hit the productive waters of Lake Ontario aboard our beautifully restored 33-foot Tiara Cruiser. This comfortable motorboat seats up to 4 anglers and comes packed with everything needed for a successful day chasing salmon and trout. Twin 350HP engines get you to the hot spots quickly, while our fish finder helps locate schools of Chinook and Coho salmon lurking in the depths. Stay comfortable between bites with onboard air conditioning, grab cold drinks from the refrigerator, and take advantage of the full kitchen and restroom facilities during your 8-hour adventure. Our GPS and radar systems ensure safe navigation in any conditions, so you can focus on landing those trophy Lake Trout and Steelhead. Perfect for families wanting to experience world-class Great Lakes fishing with all gear and expert guidance included.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smartest fish we target, averaging 8-24 inches and 1-9 pounds in Lake Ontario. These golden-brown beauties with black spots are notorious for being picky eaters, especially the bigger ones. They love structure - rocky drop-offs, weed lines, and areas with good cover. Fall nights are when they really turn on and feed aggressively, but early morning and evening produce fish year-round. They're excellent table fare with firm, mild-flavored meat. What makes browns special is their wariness - they can live up to 18 years and get educated about lures. Spring and fall are your best bets when water temps hit that sweet spot of 54-65°F. Local secret: use smaller, more natural presentations than you would for salmon - finesse often beats flash with these wary fish.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario, averaging 15-20 pounds but often hitting 30+ pounds. These massive fish stay deep most of the time since they're light-sensitive, so we use downriggers to get lures down 80-150 feet where they cruise. They're powerful fighters that make long, steady runs rather than jumping like cohos. The reddish-pink meat is rich and flavorful - perfect for grilling or smoking. Spring through early summer offers the best action when they're feeding heavily on alewives. These fish can live up to 7 years and grow huge in the lake's cold, nutrient-rich water. My advice: when you hook a big king, stay calm and let it run - trying to muscle them up too fast usually ends with a broken line or bent hooks.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, typically run 12-30 inches and weigh 8-12 pounds in Lake Ontario waters. These acrobatic fighters are famous for their aerial shows - they can jump up to 6 feet out of the water when hooked. Look for them in mid-depths during summer, moving shallower in spring and fall. Their bright silver sides and dark blue-green backs make them beautiful fish, and the orange-red meat is some of the best eating you'll find. Early morning and late evening fishing produces the best results when they're actively chasing baitfish. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but let your drag do the work - their wild jumps can throw the hook if you're too aggressive with the rod.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of Ontario, averaging 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds. These grey-green fish with cream-colored spots live in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake - often 100+ feet down in summer. They're built for the depths and fight with steady, powerful runs rather than flashy jumps. The firm, mild meat makes excellent eating, and their size means plenty for the family. Early spring right after ice-out and late fall are prime times when they move shallower. These fish can live decades and grow massive in our cold, oxygen-rich waters. They prefer overcast days and low-light conditions. Best local tip: vertical jigging with heavy spoons or swimbaits works best - let your lure drop to bottom, then work it 10-20 feet off the lake floor where they cruise looking for easy meals.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout (steelhead) run 12-24 inches and average 2-8 pounds in Lake Ontario, with their signature pink stripe making them easy to spot. These fighters prefer cooler water temps around 55-65°F, so we find them in deeper water during summer and closer to shore in spring and fall. They're acrobatic when hooked - expect jumps and strong runs that'll get your heart pumping. The meat is pink and tasty, making them perfect for the dinner table. Early morning and evening are prime times when they're actively feeding. Here's a local tip: when trolling, run your spoons and plugs at different depths until you mark fish - they often school up at specific temperature breaks in the water column.
Lake Ontario