Lake Ontario Salmon & Trout Family Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour charter targeting salmon, trout, and local speciesFamily-friendly experience with all gear and instruction providedProfessional guides ensure productive fishing at prime locations
Rod Benders Sport Fishing knows that Lake Ontario holds some of the best salmon and trout fishing in the Great Lakes, and we've designed this eight-hour charter specifically for families who want to experience it together. Whether you're teaching kids their first cast or looking for a relaxed day on the water with multiple generations, this trip delivers consistent action with minimal stress. We provide all the gear, handle the guesswork, and put you on fish while keeping things fun and educational for everyone aboard.
Your day starts early when we meet at the marina, usually around sunrise when the fish are most active. Lake Ontario's massive size means we have flexibility to move around and find where the salmon and trout are feeding that day. The boat holds up to four anglers comfortably, so families don't feel crowded while learning to work the rods. Our guides handle all the navigation and fish-finding technology, letting you focus on the actual fishing experience. We'll set up multiple lines at different depths using downriggers and planer boards, creating a spread that covers water efficiently and gives everyone a chance at hookups. The beauty of this fishery is its consistency – Lake Ontario's cold, deep waters support massive populations of salmonids that feed actively throughout the season. Safety equipment is standard, and we provide instruction tailored to each angler's experience level, from complete beginners to kids who've never held a fishing rod.
Lake Ontario salmon and trout fishing is all about trolling, and we've got the setup dialed in perfectly for family groups. We run a combination of downriggers, dipsy divers, and lead core lines to cover different depths and present lures at various speeds. The downriggers let us put baits right at the thermocline where these cold-water fish concentrate, usually between 40 and 120 feet down depending on the season. We use quality spoons, flasher-fly combinations, and sometimes cut bait when the fish are picky. The rods are medium-heavy action with line counter reels, perfect for handling big chinooks but manageable enough for younger anglers. When a fish hits, we coach you through the fight – these salmon and trout can run hard and jump, making for exciting battles that test your skills without being overwhelming. The boat's fish-finding electronics help us stay on productive structure like temperature breaks, current edges, and baitfish schools. We adjust our trolling speed and lure selection throughout the day based on what the fish are telling us, keeping the action consistent and educational.
Chinook salmon are the undisputed kings of Lake Ontario, and they're what most families get excited about targeting. These powerful fish average 15 to 25 pounds but can push 30-plus when conditions are right. They're most active from April through September, with peak action usually happening in late spring and early fall when they're feeding heavily. Chinooks fight like freight trains, making long runs and testing your drag system. What makes them special here is their size and the way they use Lake Ontario's depth – they'll sound deep when hooked, then suddenly change direction and head for the surface.
Coho salmon bring a different kind of excitement with their acrobatic fighting style and willingness to jump repeatedly when hooked. They typically run 8 to 15 pounds in these waters and are known for their silver sides and aggressive feeding behavior. Cohos often feed closer to the surface than chinooks, especially during low-light periods, making them easier targets for family groups. They hit lures hard and provide steady action throughout the season, with some of the best fishing happening during summer months when they chase alewives in the upper water column.
Lake trout are the native predators here and offer a unique fishing experience compared to the introduced salmon species. These deep-water specialists can live for decades and grow to impressive sizes, with fish over 20 pounds caught regularly. They prefer the coldest water available, often holding near the bottom in 100-plus feet of water. Lake trout have a different fighting style – more of a steady, powerful pull rather than the explosive runs of salmon. They're available year-round, making them reliable targets when salmon fishing slows down.
Brown trout are the most challenging species we target, known for their wariness and preference for specific conditions. They typically range from 5 to 15 pounds in Lake Ontario and are famous for their beautiful golden-brown coloration and spotted pattern. Browns often feed closer to shore and are more active during overcast conditions or low-light periods. They're prized by experienced anglers for their intelligence and tendency to inspect lures carefully before striking, making each hookup feel earned.
Rainbow trout, locally called steelhead, provide consistent action and are perfect for family fishing because of their aggressive feeding behavior and acrobatic fights. They average 8 to 12 pounds and are known for their bright silver coloration and pink stripe. Rainbows often travel in schools and feed actively throughout the water column, making them reliable targets for multiple hookups. They jump frequently when hooked and provide the kind of visual excitement that keeps kids engaged and eager to fish more.
Lake Ontario's salmon and trout fishing represents some of the best freshwater angling in North America, and this family-focused charter makes it accessible to everyone regardless of experience level. Rod Benders Sport Fishing has the local knowledge, quality equipment, and patient instruction approach that turns a day on the water into a genuine learning experience for the whole family. The eight-hour format gives you plenty of time to master the techniques, experience different fishing scenarios, and land multiple species without feeling rushed. With all gear provided and safety handled professionally, you can focus on making memories and developing fishing skills that will last a lifetime. Book your Lake Ontario family fishing charter now – the salmon and trout are waiting, and the next great fishing story is just one trip away.
Our 33-foot Tiara Cruiser gets you to the best salmon and trout spots on Lake Ontario in style and comfort. This beautifully restored 2023 yacht runs smooth with twin 350HP engines, cruising at 30 knots to cover more water and find where the fish are biting. The spacious deck gives your family room to move around while fighting those hard-pulling Chinook salmon and lake trout. Stay comfortable all day with air conditioning, plus a full kitchen and refrigerator to keep drinks cold and snacks fresh. The fish finder and GPS help us locate productive waters, while radar keeps us safe in changing lake conditions. With a bed and private toilet onboard, even the youngest anglers can fish comfortably for the full eight hours. The boat handles Lake Ontario's open waters with ease, getting you to deeper channels where the big salmon cruise and back to sheltered bays for rainbow trout action.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the crafty veterans of Lake Ontario - they're smart, strong, and absolutely gorgeous with their golden-brown sides and black spots. Most run 3-8 pounds and 15-25 inches, but the lake holds some real bruisers pushing 15+ pounds. These fish love structure and cover, hanging around drop-offs, points, and rocky areas in 30-100 feet of water. Fall is prime time when they feed aggressively before spawning, but spring and summer produce steady action too. Browns are popular because they fight hard and taste great - that firm, flaky meat is perfect for the table. They're also the trickiest to fool, which makes landing one extra satisfying. Here's the secret: browns often feed at night and early morning, so target them in low light with natural presentations like crawfish patterns or small spoons worked slowly near bottom.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon, the "kings" of Lake Ontario, are what big fish dreams are made of. These monsters average 15-25 pounds but can push 30+ pounds - true trophy fish that'll test your gear and your arms. Kings like the deep, cold water and stay light-sensitive, so we target them 60-200 feet down, especially around structure and thermal layers. Early morning and evening are prime times, with spring and fall offering the best action. What guests love most is the sheer power - these fish make long, determined runs and fight dirty. The rich, pink meat is restaurant quality. Kings are bottom huggers, so keep your offerings deep and use heavy tackle. Downriggers with plugs or big spoons work best, and don't be surprised if that first run strips 100 yards of line off your reel in seconds.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or "silvers," are some of the most acrobatic fish you'll hook on Lake Ontario. These beauties average 8-12 pounds and can jump 6 feet straight up - pure excitement on the end of your line. We find them roaming 40-120 feet deep, often chasing baitfish near temperature breaks and along drop-offs. Late spring through early fall is prime time, with August and September being absolutely hot. What makes cohos special is their aggressive strikes and aerial shows - they'll clear the water multiple times per fight. The orange-red meat is top-shelf eating, perfect for the grill. During peak season, they school up tight, so when you hook one, get another line down fast. A bright spoon or flasher-fly combo works wonders, especially in chartreuse or hot pink when the sun's bright.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of Ontario's cold depths, averaging 15-25 pounds with some pushing 40+ pounds. These grey-green bruisers with cream colored spots prefer the coldest water available, usually 80-200+ feet deep over rocky structure and drop-offs. Spring right after ice-out and fall are peak seasons when they move shallower, but summer means going deep where the water stays cold. Lakers are built for power - they make long, bulldogging runs and never give up easy. The white, flaky meat is mild and excellent eating. Since they avoid bright light, overcast days or low-light conditions are best. Here's the key: vertical jigging works best in deep water. Drop a heavy spoon or jig right to bottom, then work it 10-20 feet off the rocks. When you feel that thump, set the hook hard and hold on.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout, also called steelhead in Lake Ontario, are beautiful silver fish with that signature pink stripe. They typically run 2-8 pounds and 12-24 inches, though we see some real monsters pushing 15+ pounds. These fish love the cooler waters and can be found anywhere from 20-150 feet deep, often suspended over structure or cruising thermal layers. Spring through fall are prime times, especially when water temps hit that sweet spot around 55-65°F. Guests love them because they're absolute fighters - they'll jump, run, and give you a real workout. The meat is excellent eating too, with that beautiful pink flesh. Here's a tip: watch your fish finder for those tight schools suspended mid-column. When you mark them, get your spoons or body baits right in their face and hang on.
Lake Ontario