Lake Ontario Weekend Salmon and Trout Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour charter targets salmon, trout, and local speciesAll gear provided with experienced guide instruction includedWeekend trips accommodate four guests with safety equipment
Looking for a proper fishing adventure on one of the Great Lakes' premier salmon and trout waters? This eight-hour Lake Ontario charter puts you right where the action happens. Rod Benders Sport Fishing knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll get you on fish whether you're a weekend warrior or just picked up a rod for the first time. We're talking about some of the best freshwater fishing in North America here - Chinook salmon that'll test your drag, feisty cohos that jump like crazy, and steelhead that fight harder than anything their size has a right to. All your gear's included, plus you get step-by-step coaching from guides who've been working these waters for years.
Your day starts early - that's when the fish are most active and the lake's at its calmest. The crew sets you up with quality rods, reels, and all the tackle you'll need for the day. Lake Ontario's a big body of water, but these guys know exactly where to find the thermoclines and structure that hold fish. You'll cover serious ground, hitting different depths and areas depending on what's biting best. The boat's equipped with all the safety gear and fish-finding electronics to keep you safe and on the fish. Don't worry if you've never fished the Great Lakes before - the guides walk you through everything from setting the drag to fighting big fish. This isn't some rushed half-day trip either; eight hours gives you real time to learn the techniques and put some serious fish in the boat.
Lake Ontario fishing is all about trolling - covering water and presenting lures at the right depths where salmon and trout are feeding. The crew runs multiple lines with downriggers, planer boards, and leadcore setups to hit different zones in the water column. You'll use everything from spoons and plugs to flasher-and-fly combinations, depending on what the fish want that day. The electronics show baitfish schools and temperature breaks, which is where you'll find the predators. When a rod goes off, it's game on - these fish pull hard and make long runs, especially the big kings. The guides coach you through the fight, helping you pump and wind properly so you don't lose fish at the boat. All the rods are spooled with appropriate line weights, and the tackle box is stocked with proven Lake Ontario producers.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario, and for good reason. These monsters can push 30 pounds or more, with most charter fish running 15-25 pounds of pure muscle. They're most active from late spring through early fall, staging near river mouths before their spawning runs. When a big king hits your lure, you'll know it - they take line like a freight train and fight deep, using their weight and the current to their advantage. Landing one is a real accomplishment and definitely a fish worth bragging about.
Coho Salmon might be smaller than their chinook cousins, but they make up for it with acrobatics. These silver rockets love to jump when hooked, often clearing the water multiple times during a fight. They typically run 5-12 pounds and are incredibly aggressive feeders, especially when chasing baitfish near the surface. Cohos are perfect for anglers who want non-stop action - they hit hard, fight dirty, and taste fantastic on the table.
Rainbow Trout, known locally as steelhead, are pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish in the lake. These chrome-bright fighters average 8-15 pounds and have an attitude that's way bigger than their size. They're notorious for long, powerful runs and aerial displays that'll have you wondering how something that sleek can pull so hard. Spring and fall are prime times, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look.
Brown Trout are the smartest fish in the lake - they didn't get their reputation as the "fish of a thousand casts" for nothing. These golden-sided beauties are incredibly wary but absolutely beautiful when you get one to the boat. They average 8-20 pounds in Lake Ontario and prefer deeper, cooler water during the heat of summer. Browns are most active during low-light periods, making early morning and evening the best times to target them.
Lake Trout are the natives here, and they grow big in Ontario's cold, deep waters. These spotted predators can live for decades and reach impressive sizes - 20-pound lakers aren't uncommon. They prefer the deepest, coldest parts of the lake and are most active during spring and fall when they move into shallower water. Lake trout have a different fighting style than the salmon - they're more bulldoggish, using their weight and the deep water to tire you out.
Lake Ontario delivers world-class salmon and trout fishing right in your backyard, and Rod Benders Sport Fishing has the experience and local knowledge to put you on fish. This eight-hour charter gives you serious time on the water with professional guides who know how to find and catch these species. Whether you're after a wall-hanger chinook, a jumping coho, or a chrome-bright steelhead, this trip delivers the goods. The boat accommodates up to four anglers, making it perfect for couples, families, or a small group of fishing buddies. All gear's provided, so you just need to show up ready to fish. These weekend slots fill up fast, especially during peak salmon season, so don't wait around. Book your Lake Ontario charter today and get ready for some of the best freshwater fishing you'll ever experience.
Hit the waters of Lake Ontario aboard our fully restored 33-foot Tiara Cruiser, your floating base camp for serious salmon and trout action. This beauty packs twin 350HP engines that'll get you to the hotspots fast, cruising at 30 knots to where the big Chinook and Coho are running. The 2023 restoration means everything's fresh – from the fish finder that'll mark those deep schools to the radar keeping you safe when morning fog rolls in. Stay comfortable between strikes with onboard AC, grab cold drinks from the fridge, and take advantage of the full galley and head for those long fishing days. The spacious layout gives your group of four plenty of room to work lines without getting tangled up. GPS keeps you on the productive structure where lake trout hold, while the comfortable sleeping quarters let you rest up between early morning and evening bites. Built for Lake Ontario's conditions, this cruiser handles the open water chop while you focus on landing steelhead and browns.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the most cautious trout in Lake Ontario, but they're also some of the biggest, averaging 3-8 pounds with fish over 10 pounds caught regularly. These golden-brown beauties prefer deeper water during summer, 60-100 feet down, but move shallow at night to feed. Fall is prime time when they get aggressive before spawning. They're known for their strong, bulldogging fights and excellent table quality. What sets browns apart is their wariness - they've seen every lure and gotten smart about it. Early morning, late evening, and night fishing produce the best results. My secret: troll slower than you think, around 2 mph, and use natural-colored presentations near bottom structure.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario, regularly hitting 15-30 pounds with some monsters pushing even bigger. These light-sensitive fish hug the bottom during bright conditions, usually 60-120 feet down near drop-offs and structure. Early morning, late evening, and overcast days are your best bets for success. Guests love the power these fish bring - they're bulldogs that make long, steady runs and test your drag system. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for grilling or smoking. Spring and early summer produce the best action when they're feeding heavily before spawning runs. Key tip: use heavy tackle and keep your baits deep with downriggers - these fish rarely come shallow during daylight hours.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon are the acrobats of Lake Ontario, averaging 8-12 pounds and known for their explosive jumps when hooked. These silver-sided fighters cruise the upper water column during summer, typically 20-60 feet down, following baitfish schools. They're most active during low-light periods and overcast days. What makes coho special is their aggressive nature and that bright orange meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They can jump up to 6 feet vertically, so keep your rod tip up and drag smooth. Late spring through summer is peak season when water temps hit the sweet spot. My go-to trick: run bright spoons and plugs at 2.8 mph and watch for birds working bait schools.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of Ontario, commonly running 15-25 pounds with some true monsters lurking in the depths. These grey-green fish with cream markings stay deep year-round, typically 80-200 feet down in the coldest water they can find. Spring after ice-out and fall are peak seasons when they move shallower and feed more aggressively. Guests love the heavy-duty fight and the challenge of fishing deep structure. They make strong runs and test your equipment. The meat is excellent but different from other trout - more like a firm whitefish. Jigging is deadly effective, especially with paddle-tail swimbaits worked vertically. Pro tip: fish overcast days and use your electronics to mark fish before dropping down to them.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout, also called steelhead in Lake Ontario, typically run 2-8 pounds with that classic pink stripe along their silver sides. These fish love the cooler water temps we get in spring and fall, usually hanging around 40-80 feet down near structure or thermoclines. They're scrappy fighters that'll jump and make solid runs, plus they taste great on the table with that mild, flaky meat. Best fishing happens during overcast conditions or early morning when they're actively feeding. Pro tip: when trolling, keep your spoons and plugs moving at 2.5-3 mph - too fast and they won't commit, too slow and you won't trigger that predator instinct. Spring through early summer is prime time.
Lake Ontario