Evening Salmon & Trout Fishing on Lake Ontario
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Target Chinook Salmon, Brown Trout, Lake Trout, and Steelhead species.Captain Thomas Riley provides expert guidance and topquality fishing gear.Fourhour evening trip accommodates up to 6 passengers comfortably.
Picture this: the sun's starting its slow descent over Lake Ontario, the water's glass-smooth, and you're settling in for four solid hours of some of the best fishing New York has to offer. That's exactly what you get with Captain Thomas Riley aboard the Shenanigans, departing right from Ernst's Lake Breeze Marina in Kent. This isn't your typical crowded charter boat situation – we're talking private trips for up to 4 anglers, which means you get all the personal attention you need whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod before.
Captain Riley knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got the kind of laid-back teaching style that makes even nervous first-timers feel at home. The evening bite on Lake Ontario is legendary for a reason – as the water cools and the light changes, those big salmon and trout start moving, and that's when the action heats up. You'll be trolling the productive zones where Chinook salmon cruise the depths and steelhead patrol the shallows. The boat's equipped with everything you need, from top-shelf rods and reels to the latest fish finders, so all you have to do is show up with your New York fishing license and get ready to bend some rods. The captain handles all the technical stuff – reading the water, adjusting lure depths, and positioning the boat – while you focus on the fun part.
Lake Ontario fishing is all about covering water and finding where the fish are holding, and trolling is the name of the game out here. Captain Riley runs a spread of downriggers and planer boards to get your baits down to where the big fish live – sometimes that's 20 feet, sometimes it's 80, depending on water temperature and what the fish finder is showing. You'll be pulling everything from spoons and plugs to cut bait, and the captain switches things up based on what's working that day. The Shenanigans is set up perfectly for this kind of fishing, with plenty of rod holders and room to move around when you hook up. Don't worry if you've never worked a downrigger before – the captain walks you through everything, and within minutes you'll be setting lines like a pro. The key is staying patient and letting the boat do the work while you keep an eye on those rod tips for that telltale bounce that means fish on.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario, and for good reason – these bruisers can push 30 pounds and will take you on a ride you won't forget. They're most active in the cooler evening waters, especially during late summer and early fall when they're staging near tributaries. What makes chinooks so special is their raw power and the way they fight deep, using their weight and the current to their advantage. When you hook one, you'll know it immediately – they don't mess around with gentle nibbles.
Brown Trout are the smartest fish in the lake, hands down. They're incredibly wary and have this habit of following lures for what feels like forever before deciding to strike. But when they do commit, watch out – browns are acrobatic fighters that love to jump and run. The evening hours are prime time for these golden beauties, especially when there's a good mayfly hatch happening. They typically run 5 to 15 pounds in these waters, and their coloration against the evening light is absolutely gorgeous.
Lake Trout are the deep-water specialists, often hanging out in the coldest parts of the lake even during summer. These native fish are built like torpedoes and can live for decades, with some of the older fish reaching impressive sizes. They're not flashy fighters like steelhead, but they've got this steady, powerful pull that'll test your arms. Lakers are active year-round, making them reliable targets when other species are finicky.
Steelhead Trout are pure excitement on a fishing line – they're basically rainbow trout that have adapted to lake life, and they fight with the intensity of a fish twice their size. These silver bullets love to jump, and they'll use every trick in the book to throw your hook. Evening fishing for steelhead can be absolutely phenomenal, especially when they're feeding on baitfish near the surface. They're typically smaller than the salmon, running 5 to 12 pounds, but what they lack in size they make up for in attitude.
This kind of personalized fishing experience with a captain who genuinely loves sharing these waters is exactly what Lake Ontario fishing is all about. You're not just paying for a boat ride – you're getting an education in one of the Great Lakes' premier fisheries, plus the kind of hands-on guidance that turns good fishing days into great ones. Whether you're planning a family outing, a friends' trip, or just want to experience what all the fuss is about with Lake Ontario's world-class salmon and trout fishing, Captain Riley and the Shenanigans deliver the goods. The evening bite is consistently productive, the scenery is top-notch, and you'll come away with both fish stories and the skills to back them up. Don't wait too long to secure your dates – the best captains book up fast, especially during peak season.
Step aboard the Shenanigans, a reliable 1987 Trojan 10-meter that's been perfectly rigged for serious salmon and trout action on Lake Ontario. This sturdy motorboat handles the big water with ease while you focus on landing those trophy Chinook salmon and steelhead. Captain Thomas has outfitted her with everything you need - GPS to find the hot spots, fish finder to locate schools below, and radar for those evening runs when visibility drops. The VHF radio keeps you connected while you're chasing fish miles offshore. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rods without getting tangled up. The onboard head means no cutting trips short, and all the trolling gear is ready to go. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just learning the ropes, this boat puts you right where the big lake trout and brown trout are feeding. From Ernst's Lake Breeze Marina, you'll cover serious water in comfort while hunting those deep-running salmon that make Lake Ontario legendary.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the smart ones - they've earned their reputation as the most cautious trout in the lake. These golden-brown beauties with dark spots typically run 8-15 pounds in Ontario, though we've caught some real slabs pushing 20. They love structure and cover, often lurking near drop-offs, rocky points, and weed lines. Browns feed most aggressively during low-light periods, which makes our evening trips perfect timing. What makes them special is their wariness - they'll test your skills more than other species. But when you connect, they fight with surprising strength for their size and make excellent table fare with mild, flaky white meat. The key to consistent brown trout success is staying quiet and fishing near bottom structure. I always tell guests to work lures slowly near rocks and drop-offs - browns like to ambush their prey rather than chase it down in open water.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario - these bruisers average 15-20 pounds but we've seen them push 30+ pounds out here. They're built like torpedoes with silver sides, dark backs, and black spots covering their fins and tails. Chinook prefer the deeper, colder water, usually hanging 40-80 feet down during our evening trips. They're light-sensitive, so low-light conditions work in our favor. What guests love most is the raw power - once a king takes your line, you're in for a real battle. They'll peel drag and make long, powerful runs that'll get your heart pumping. The table fare is top-notch too, with that rich, orange-pink meat that tastes fantastic grilled or smoked. Pro tip from years on this lake: when trolling for kings, don't set the drag too tight. Give them room to run initially, then gradually apply pressure as they tire.
Salvelinus NamaycushLakers are the deep-water giants of our fishery, often running 15-25 pounds with that distinctive grey-green color and cream-colored spots. They're true cold-water fish, spending most of their time in the deepest, coldest parts of Lake Ontario - we're talking 60-120 feet down during summer months. Lakers have a slower metabolism, so they fight differently than salmon - more of a heavy, bulldogging battle that'll wear out your arms. Spring and fall offer the best action when they move up from the depths. What guests appreciate is landing Ontario's largest native trout species - these fish can live 40+ years and represent something truly wild. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for smoking. My go-to technique is vertical jigging with spoons or soft plastics right on bottom. Lakers are opportunistic feeders, so work your lure slow and deliberate. When you feel that subtle tap, set the hook firmly - their mouths are tough.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that went to the gym - they're the same species but these guys spend time in big water, which makes them stronger and more silver-colored. Most steelhead in Lake Ontario run 24-28 inches and fight like freight trains when hooked. They're migratory fish that love cold, oxygenated water, so we find them suspended in open water or near structure during our evening trips. Fall through spring gives you the best shots at them, especially when the water temps drop. What makes steelhead special is that incredible fight - they'll jump, run, and test your drag like few other fish. Here's a local tip: when you feel that first head shake, keep steady pressure but don't horse them. Let them run and tire themselves out. The meat is excellent too, with that firm texture you get from fish that live the hard life.
Lake Ontario