Half Day Morning Salmon and Trout Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Four-hour private fishing trip targets salmon and trout speciesProfessional guide provides all equipment and handles technical aspectsGroups up to six guests fish Lake Ontario waters
Captain Thomas Riley knows Lake Ontario like the back of his hand, and when you step aboard the Shenanigans at Ernst's Lake Breeze Marina, you're in for a top-rated fishing experience that'll have you talking for months. This 4-hour morning charter targets some of the lake's most prized species - Brown Trout, Chinook Salmon, Lake Trout, and Steelhead - in waters that consistently produce trophy catches. Starting at $700 for your group, with room for up to 6 anglers, this private charter gives you the flexibility to fish at your own pace while Captain Riley puts you on the fish using decades of local knowledge and professional-grade equipment.
Your morning starts early at Ernst's Lake Breeze Marina in Kent, where Captain Riley will have the Shenanigans prepped and ready to hit productive water fast. The boat's equipped with everything you need - downriggers, planer boards, and a full spread of rods rigged for the conditions. You'll cruise out to structure and thermoclines where salmon and trout stack up, typically within 20-30 minutes of leaving the dock. The captain reads the fish finder like a book and adjusts tactics based on what the sonar shows. Whether fish are suspended in 60 feet of water or hugging bottom structure, he's got the right approach. The atmosphere stays relaxed but focused - perfect for beginners learning the ropes or experienced anglers wanting to dial in their Lake Ontario game. All you need is your New York State fishing license and whatever snacks or drinks you want to bring along.
Lake Ontario fishing is all about covering water and presenting lures at the right depth, and Captain Riley runs a proven trolling spread that puts fish in the boat. The setup typically includes downriggers pulling spoons and flasher-fly combinations at various depths, plus planer boards spreading lines wide to cover maximum water column. Depending on conditions, you might run anything from shallow diving plugs in 15 feet to weighted lines down 80 feet where lake trout cruise. The captain watches water temperature closely - that thermocline is where baitfish concentrate and predators follow. He'll adjust boat speed, lure selection, and depth based on what's working that morning. When a rod goes off, you'll know it - the drag screams and the rod tip bounces as whatever's on the other end makes its first run. The boat's layout makes fighting fish comfortable, with plenty of room to work around other lines when something big is peeling drag.
Chinook Salmon are the undisputed kings of Lake Ontario, and when you hook into a 20-30 pound king, you'll understand why anglers travel from across the country to fish these waters. These silver bullets hit hard and run deep, often taking 100 yards of line on their initial surge. Spring and fall offer the best action, with fish staging near river mouths before spawning runs. Kings love big spoons and flasher-fly combos pulled behind downriggers, and they're notorious for their acrobatic jumps and bulldogging runs that test your drag system and arm strength.
Steelhead Trout bring world-class fighting ability to Lake Ontario, pound-for-pound outfighting any freshwater species. These chrome-bright fish average 8-15 pounds but fight like they're twice that size, combining powerful runs with spectacular aerial displays. They're active year-round but peak during spring spawning movements and fall feeding periods. Steelhead respond well to smaller spoons, stick baits, and fly combinations, often hitting lures running higher in the water column than salmon. When you hook a steelhead, expect multiple jumps and line-screaming runs that'll have your arms burning.
Brown Trout represent the craftiest targets in the lake, growing large and wary in Lake Ontario's fertile waters. These golden-sided beauties can exceed 15 pounds and prefer structure like drop-offs, points, and underwater humps. Browns are notorious for their subtle takes - sometimes just a slight tick on the rod tip before they realize something's wrong and start fighting. They're most active during low-light periods and respond to natural presentations like cut bait, spoons that mimic alewives, and flasher-fly combinations in natural colors. Landing a big brown requires patience and finesse since they're masters at finding structure to break you off.
Lake Trout patrol the deepest, coldest water and provide steady action when salmon and steelhead are finicky. These native char can live decades and grow to impressive sizes, with fish over 20 pounds caught regularly. Lakers prefer consistent trolling speeds and will often hit the same lures trip after trip once you find a productive pattern. They're perfect targets for beginning anglers since they fight hard but don't make the screaming runs that can intimidate newcomers. Lake trout bite year-round and provide excellent backup targets when other species are off the bite, ensuring you'll have action throughout your charter.
Captain Thomas Riley's morning charters fill up fast, especially during peak salmon and trout seasons when Lake Ontario fishing is at its absolute best. At $700 for your group plus $150 per additional angler, you're getting professional guide service, quality equipment, and access to some of the most productive trout and salmon waters in the Great Lakes system. The Shenanigans provides a stable, comfortable platform for fighting fish and learning techniques that'll make you a better angler. Whether you're planning a guys' trip, family outing, or corporate event, this charter delivers consistent action and memories that'll last long after you've filleted your catch. Don't wait until prime dates are gone - book your Lake Ontario fishing adventure today and get ready to experience why this fishery consistently ranks among North America's premier trout and salmon destinations.
Step aboard the Shenanigans, a reliable 1987 Trojan 10-meter that's been rigged specifically for targeting salmon and trout in Lake Ontario's productive waters. Captain Thomas Riley has outfitted this sturdy motorboat with everything serious anglers need – GPS to mark the hot spots, radar for those foggy mornings when fish are biting, and a quality fish finder to locate schools in the depths. The VHF radio keeps us connected to other boats sharing intel on where the chinook salmon and steelhead are running. With comfortable seating for up to 4 guests and an onboard head, you can focus on what matters: dropping lines and landing trophy browns and lake trout. The trolling setup is dialed in perfectly for Lake Ontario's conditions, and departing from Ernst's Lake Breeze Marina puts us right where we need to be. All the rods, reels, and tackle are provided – just bring your New York fishing license and appetite for some serious fishing action.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the smart guys of the trout world - cautious, clever, and absolutely beautiful with their golden-brown sides and black spots. Most of our Lake Ontario browns run 18-26 inches, though we see some real slabs pushing 30+. They love structure - drop-offs, weed lines, and rocky areas in 20-50 feet of water. Fall is magic time when they get aggressive before spawning, but spring can be fantastic too. Why do people love targeting them? They're challenging to fool and fight with surprising strength for their size. The meat is excellent, with a clean, mild flavor. Pro tip: browns are light-sensitive, so overcast days or dawn/dusk fishing often outproduces bright sunny conditions by a huge margin.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKings are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario - we're talking 15-30 pounders that'll give your arms a real workout. These silver torpedoes with black-spotted backs prefer the deep, cold water during summer, often 60-100 feet down following baitfish schools. Early morning and evening produce the best action, especially during their fall run when they get aggressive. What draws people back? That raw power and the satisfaction of landing Ontario's apex predator. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for grilling. Here's something most don't know: when trolling deep, watch for temperature breaks on your fish finder. Kings love hanging right at that thermocline where warm surface water meets the cold depths.
Salvelinus NamaycushLakers are the deep-water giants of Ontario - true natives that can live 20+ years and reach massive sizes. We regularly see fish in the 15-25 pound range, with some monsters pushing 30+ pounds. They live their whole lives in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake, often 80-150 feet down during summer. Spring right after ice-out and late fall are your best shots when they come up to feed. People love the challenge of deep-water fishing and the powerful, bulldogging fight these fish deliver. The meat is rich and oily, great smoked. Here's the key: use heavy jigs and work them slowly. Lakers are curious but lazy - they'll follow your lure forever before deciding to bite, so patience pays off big time.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that decided to live the lake life - they're the same species but with a completely different attitude. These silver rockets typically run 24-30 inches and fight like they're twice that size. You'll find them cruising the deeper, cooler waters of Ontario, usually 40-80 feet down during summer months. Spring and fall are prime time when they move shallower and feed more aggressively. What makes them special? That fight - they'll jump, run, and test every knot you tied. Plus, they're fantastic eating with that firm, flaky meat. Local tip: when the water temp hits that sweet spot around 55°F in late spring, focus your efforts near tributary mouths where they stage before spawning runs.
Lake Ontario