Afternoon Charter For Salmon And Trout
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Sixhour Lake Ontario charter targeting four salmon and trout speciesSpacious vessel accommodates groups with comprehensive gear and crew assistanceComplimentary beverages plus professional fish cleaning and packaging services
Lake Ontario's afternoon bite is something special, and there's no better way to experience it than with Salmon Express. This 6-hour charter puts you right in the heart of some of the Great Lakes' best fishing action, targeting four of the most prized species swimming in these waters. Whether you're bringing the family for their first taste of big lake fishing or planning a bachelor party that'll actually be memorable, this trip delivers the goods. Our spacious boat handles up to 6 anglers comfortably, with room to move around and enjoy the ride. Plus, we take care of everything – gear, cleaning, packaging – so you can focus on what matters: getting fish in the boat.
Lake Ontario in the afternoon is prime time for salmon and trout action. The morning crowds have usually cleared out, giving us more room to work the best spots without fighting for position. You'll find yourself trolling the thermocline where these cold-water species hang out, typically anywhere from 40 to 120 feet down depending on the season and conditions. The boat's got plenty of space both inside and out, plus a flybridge where you can get a bird's eye view of the action. Don't worry if you've never held a downrigger rod before – our crew knows how to get everyone involved, from complete beginners to seasoned anglers. The vibe is relaxed but focused, perfect for corporate groups looking to mix business with pleasure or families wanting to create some real memories together.
We run a proven trolling spread that consistently produces fish on Lake Ontario. Downriggers are the name of the game here, getting our lures down to where the salmon and trout are holding in the cooler water. You'll be working with quality rods and reels that can handle the powerful runs these fish are famous for. We typically run spoons, plugs, and flies behind flashers or dodgers – the combination depends on what the fish are telling us that day. The boat's equipped with fish finders and GPS to locate schools and structure, but reading the water is still an art. Temperature breaks, current lines, and bait concentrations all play into where we set up. When a rod goes off, you'll know it – these fish don't mess around. The crew will coach you through the fight, helping you work the fish to the boat without losing it at the last second.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario for good reason. These bruisers can push 30 pounds and will test every ounce of your fishing skills when they decide to make a run. They're most active in spring and fall, but summer afternoons can produce some fantastic action when you find them in the right temperature zone. The fight is pure power – long runs, head shakes, and jumps that'll get your heart pumping. There's nothing quite like the screaming drag when a big king decides it wants to head back to deep water.
Coho Salmon might be smaller than their Chinook cousins, but they make up for it with acrobatics. These silver bullets love to jump, and they'll put on a show that's worth the price of admission alone. Summer and early fall are peak times for cohos, and they often travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. They're perfect for newer anglers who want to experience the thrill of a jumping salmon without the arm-burning fight of a giant chinook.
Lake Trout are the deep-water specialists of Lake Ontario. These native fish can live for decades and grow to impressive sizes, with some specimens topping 20 pounds. They're structure-oriented, hanging around drop-offs, humps, and rock piles where they ambush baitfish. Lakers fight differently than salmon – more of a steady, bulldogging battle that tests your endurance. Spring and late fall are prime times when they move shallower, but skilled crews can find them year-round in the deeper basins.
Rainbow Trout, or "steelhead" as many anglers call them, are perhaps the most well-rounded fighters in the lake. They combine the jumping ability of cohos with the staying power of lake trout, making for some epic battles. These fish are opportunistic feeders and can show up anywhere from 20 feet down to over 100 feet, following schools of alewives and smelt. Spring and fall offer the best action, but summer afternoons can produce some beautiful fish when conditions are right.
Brown Trout are the wary veterans of Lake Ontario, often the hardest to fool but incredibly rewarding when you connect. They're known for their intelligence and can be frustratingly selective about what they'll hit. But when you do hook into a good brown, you're in for a fight that combines power, endurance, and cunning. They're most active during low-light periods, making afternoon trips productive as the sun starts to get lower on the horizon.
Lake Ontario's salmon and trout fishing is world-class, and afternoon charters with Salmon Express put you right in the middle of the action. With all gear included, professional crew assistance, and complimentary fish cleaning and packaging, you're getting serious value for a top-rated fishing experience. Whether you're after the raw power of a chinook salmon, the aerial displays of a coho, or the steady fight of a lake trout, this charter delivers the goods. The 6-hour trip gives you plenty of time to work different areas and techniques while accommodating anglers of every skill level. Don't miss out on some of the best freshwater fishing in North America – book your afternoon charter today and see why Lake Ontario keeps anglers coming back year after year.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the smartest fish we target - they didn't get their reputation as PhD trout for nothing. Most run 3-8 pounds and 15-26 inches, with golden-brown sides covered in dark spots. They're structure lovers, hanging around rocky areas, drop-offs, and anywhere there's cover. Fall is when they really turn on, feeding aggressively before spawning. These fish are spooky in shallow water but get more aggressive in deeper areas. The firm, flaky meat has excellent flavor. What makes them special is the challenge - they're harder to fool than other trout. My go-to technique: troll smaller spoons and stick baits near bottom in 40-80 feet of water. Browns often follow before striking, so patience pays off.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKings are the heavyweights out here, averaging 15-25 pounds with some pushing 30+. These fish stay deep, usually 60-120 feet down in the cooler water where they're comfortable. They're light-sensitive, so early morning and evening produce best, though we catch them all day in deeper water. The fight is more bulldogging than jumping - pure power that'll test your drag. The reddish-pink meat is premium table fare. Summer months are peak season when they're feeding on alewives and following the thermocline. Here's what works: since they hug bottom structure, we run our downriggers just off the bottom and use big spoons or flasher/fly combinations. Keep your drag smooth - these fish make long, powerful runs.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon, as we call them, typically run 8-12 pounds and stretch 20-28 inches. They're absolute acrobats - expect some serious aerial shows when you hook one. In Lake Ontario, cohos stay in the upper water column, usually 20-60 feet down, following bait schools. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're feeding heavily before their fall spawning run. The bright orange meat tastes fantastic and these fish fight harder than most anything else we target. They love structure changes and temperature breaks where forage fish gather. Pro tip: when trolling spoons or plugs, vary your speed every few minutes. Cohos are curious and that speed change often triggers strikes from fish that have been following your lure.
Salvelinus NamaycushLakers are the deep-water giants, averaging 15-30 pounds and living in the coldest depths of Ontario - often 80-150 feet down. These char prefer water around 45-55°F, so they stay deep most of the year except right after ice-out. They're steady fighters, more endurance than flash, and the light-colored meat has a unique, rich flavor that's different from other trout. Spring and fall are best when they move up slightly in the water column. Overcast days produce better since they avoid bright light. The key is jigging heavy spoons or using downriggers with big cowbells and tubes. Here's the trick: drop your jig to bottom, then work it 10-20 feet up. Lakers often hit on the drop.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout average 2-8 pounds and run 12-24 inches, with that signature pink stripe along their silver sides. In Lake Ontario, they cruise the cooler depths during summer but move shallow in spring and fall when water temps hit that sweet spot around 55-65°F. These fish put up a solid fight with some nice jumps, and the meat is top-notch eating with a mild, clean taste. Early morning and evening are prime times when they're actively feeding. They love structure like drop-offs and temperature breaks. Here's a local trick: when trolling, watch your fish finder for bait schools and temperature changes - that's where you'll find the rainbows holding. They're great for beginners since they're aggressive and fun to catch.
St. Catharines, ON