8-Hour Salmon & Trout Fishing with Captain Bob
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Eighthour guided charter targeting salmon and trophy troutCaptain Bob provides all gear, tackle, and expert guidanceMaximum two guests for personalized Lake Ontario fishing experience
If you're serious about fishing Lake Ontario's legendary salmon and trout, this 8-hour charter with Captain Bob is your ticket to the best action on the Great Lakes. We're talking about a full day on one of North America's premier fisheries, where trophy Chinook salmon and monster lake trout swim in the same waters. This isn't a quick morning trip – we've got all day to work the best spots, adjust our approach as conditions change, and put you on fish that'll make your arms ache. With gear capacity for just 2 anglers, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to fight those big fish properly.
Captain Bob knows Lake Ontario like the back of his hand, and he'll put that knowledge to work for you from the moment we leave the dock. We start early to hit the prime feeding windows, running out to deeper water where the big salmon stage before their spawning runs. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is flexibility – if the fish are deep and sluggish in one area, we've got time to relocate and try different depths and structures. You'll see how a seasoned captain reads the electronics, watches the water temperature, and adjusts presentation based on what the fish are telling us. Some days we'll work the thermocline in 60-80 feet of water, other days we might find ourselves trolling the shallows where trout are chasing baitfish. Payment is handled at departure with either PayPal or cash, keeping things simple so we can focus on fishing.
Lake Ontario fishing is all about precision trolling, and we run a spread that covers multiple depths and speeds to maximize your chances. We'll have downriggers working the bottom third of the water column, dipsy divers covering the mid-range, and leadcore or copper lines reaching fish that are scattered throughout the water column. All tackle is provided, but we're talking quality gear here – smooth-dragging reels, sensitive rods that telegraph every headshake, and proven lures that produce year after year. Spoons like Dreamweavers and NK Magnums are staples, along with flasher-fly combos that drive salmon crazy. The key is speed control and lure rotation – what worked yesterday might not work today, so we'll keep adjusting until we dial in the pattern. When you hook up, you'll appreciate having room to maneuver – fighting a 25-pound king salmon in tight quarters is no fun for anyone.
Chinook Salmon are the undisputed kings of Lake Ontario, with fish regularly hitting 20-30 pounds and occasional monsters pushing 35-plus. These are the fish that drag screaming line off your reel and test your endurance over 10-15 minute fights. Peak season runs from late July through September when they're staging for their spawning runs, feeding heavily and hitting lures with authority. What makes hooking a big king so special is the combination of raw power and acrobatic ability – they'll sound deep, then rocket toward the surface in jumps that'll get your heart racing.
Coho Salmon might be smaller than kings, but pound-for-pound they're some of the hardest fighting fish in the Great Lakes. These silver rockets typically run 8-15 pounds and are absolute dynamite on the end of your line. Cohos are known for their aerial displays, often clearing the water multiple times during a fight. They're most active from late spring through early fall, with peak action in August and September. What anglers love about cohos is their aggressive nature – they'll often hit lures moving at higher speeds and fight all the way to the net.
Rainbow Trout, including both resident fish and steelhead, offer some of the most consistent action on Lake Ontario. These chrome-bright fighters typically range from 5-12 pounds, with occasional fish pushing 15-plus. Rainbows are active throughout the season, but spring and fall provide the hottest action as they move shallow to feed on emerging baitfish. They're incredibly acrobatic fighters that test your drag system with long, blistering runs. The beauty of targeting rainbows is their willingness to hit a variety of presentations, from small spoons to larger plugs.
Brown Trout are the wary veterans of Lake Ontario, often the hardest to fool but incredibly rewarding to catch. These golden-sided beauties typically run 8-18 pounds, with trophy fish exceeding 20 pounds. Browns are most active during low-light periods – early morning, late evening, and overcast days. They prefer slightly different presentations than other species, often favoring more subtle lures and slower speeds. What makes browns special is their fighting style – they're bulldogs that use their broad sides to leverage against your drag, making even smaller fish feel much larger.
Lake Trout are the deep-water specialists, often found in the coldest, deepest parts of Lake Ontario. These prehistoric-looking fish can live for decades and reach impressive sizes, with fish over 30 pounds caught regularly. Lakers are most active during spring and fall when they move into shallower water, but can be targeted year-round by working the right depths. They're powerful, determined fighters that use the deep water to their advantage. What's exciting about lake trout fishing is the anticipation – you never know if that slow, heavy pull is a 10-pounder or a fish that'll break the 40-pound mark.
This full-day Lake Ontario charter offers serious anglers the complete Great Lakes fishing experience. With 8 hours on the water, top-quality gear, and Captain Bob's expertise, you'll have every opportunity to connect with trophy salmon and trout that make this fishery world-renowned. The 2-angler limit ensures you get personalized instruction and plenty of fighting room when the big fish hit. Whether you're chasing your first Lake Ontario salmon or looking
You'll be fishing from our brand-new 2025 Hewescraft, a solid 22-foot platform built for serious Lake Ontario action. This boat handles the big water like a champ with dual Yamaha motors - a 115hp main engine and 9.9hp kicker for precise trolling. When salmon are running deep or trout are finicky, our 3KW electric autopilot trolling motor keeps your lines working at exactly the right speed and depth. The electronics package is dialed in for success - Garmin radar cuts through morning fog, GPS marks productive spots, and our fish finder shows what's swimming below. VHF radio keeps us connected to other captains sharing hot bite reports. Safety gear includes life jackets and dual bilge pumps because Lake Ontario demands respect. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 8-hour adventure. With room for 2 anglers plus Captain Bob, you'll have plenty of space to work multiple rods and fight those big kings and steelhead without getting tangled up. Night fishing capability means we can chase the bite whenever fish are most active.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the smartest fish we target - they're cautious, structure-oriented, and become night feeders as they mature. These golden-sided beauties average 1-9 pounds but can grow much larger in Ontario's waters. Look for them around rocky structure, drop-offs, and near tributaries where they often hold tight to cover. Fall is prime time when they feed aggressively before spawn, though they bite year-round if you know where to look. What anglers love is their wariness makes them a real challenge, plus they're excellent table fare. The secret with browns is fishing low-light periods and staying quiet - they spook easily. We'll often troll slower than for other species and stick close to structure.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the trophy everyone's after - these bruisers can push 20-30 pounds and fight like freight trains. They're light-sensitive, so they hug the bottom during bright days, which means we're often fishing deep with downriggers. Early morning and evening offer your best shots when they move up in the water column. What makes kings special isn't just their size, but that sustained power - no flashy jumps, just bulldogging runs that test your drag. The meat is top-shelf with that rich, orange color. My go-to tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them. Let the fish tire itself out, especially the big ones that can fight for 20+ minutes.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are absolute rockets when they hit - expect jumps up to 6 feet and serious drag-screaming runs. These acrobatic fighters average 8-12 pounds in Ontario's waters, though we see plenty bigger. They prefer the mid-depths during summer, moving shallower in spring and fall when water temps cool down. What guests love most is their unpredictable fight and that bright orange meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Early morning and evening tend to be most productive when they're actively feeding. The trick with cohos is varying your trolling speed - they can be finicky about presentation. We'll often start fast to cover water, then slow down when we mark fish on the sonar.
Salvelinus NamaycushLakers are the deep-water specialists - think 100+ feet down in summer when surface temps climb. These grey-green giants average 15-40 pounds and are built for the long haul, not speed. Spring right after ice-out is golden when they're shallow and aggressive, but we catch them year-round by adjusting depth. What guests appreciate is their steady, powerful fight and firm, white meat that's hard to beat. Being the only native trout here, they're something special to target. The key is jigging - drop a spoon or jig head with paddle tail and work it vertically. Lakers love that wounded baitfish action, and the bite often comes on the drop, so stay alert to your line.
Oncorhynchus MykissThese colorful fighters typically run 2-8 pounds in Ontario, with that signature pink stripe along their silver sides. You'll find them in the cooler waters, usually 55-65°F, which means we target different depths depending on the season. Spring and fall are prime times when they're more active and closer to the surface. What makes rainbows special is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump and run hard when hooked. They're also excellent eating with mild, flaky meat. The key here is keeping your bait moving; rainbows are aggressive feeders but they want to see action. We'll often use spoons and spinners, but don't overlook live bait under a float when they're being picky.
Lake Ontario