Evening Half Day Trip Lake Ontario | Port Dalhousie
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Evening salmon fishing trips on Lake Ontario watersFully equipped Lund boat with professional guided serviceAll gear provided, guests bring snacks and cooler
Looking for a solid fishing trip without burning your whole day? This evening half-day charter on Lake Ontario delivers everything you want in a 5-6 hour window. Based out of Port Dalhousie, we're talking prime salmon and trout fishing during the best seasons - April through May and October through November. Captain runs a fully rigged Lund 1950 Tyee Magnum that's built for these waters, and you literally just need to show up with snacks, drinks, and something to haul your fish home in. With space for just three anglers, you're getting personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your lines.
Port Dalhousie puts you right in the sweet spot of Lake Ontario's western basin, where the big fish cruise year-round. This isn't some crowded party boat situation - you're looking at a small group experience where everyone gets quality rod time. The Lund 1950 Tyee Magnum is a serious fishing machine, loaded with downriggers, fish finders, and all the tackle you'll need. Spring and fall are when this fishery really fires up. April and May bring hungry fish coming shallow after the winter, while October and November see them staging for spawning runs. The evening bite can be absolutely lights-out, especially when the daytime boat traffic dies down and the fish start moving.
We're running a trolling program that covers water efficiently and keeps multiple lines working at different depths. The downriggers let us target specific temperature breaks where the fish are holding, while the planer boards spread our presentation wide. You'll be working with quality spinning and conventional gear matched to the species we're targeting. Spoons, plugs, and flasher-fly combinations are the bread and butter here, with colors and speeds adjusted based on conditions. The captain reads the electronics and adjusts depth and speed constantly - Lake Ontario fish can be picky, but when you dial in the right combination, the rods start bouncing. Don't worry if you're new to downrigger fishing; the setup handles most of the work, and you focus on fighting the fish once they're hooked.
Rainbow Trout are the workhorses of this fishery, averaging 5-8 pounds with plenty of larger fish mixed in. These chrome rockets fight harder than their size suggests, making long runs and aerial displays that'll get your heart pumping. Spring rainbows are fresh from deep water and absolutely pristine, while fall fish are bulked up and aggressive. They're also fantastic table fare - firm, pink meat that's perfect for the grill or smoker.
Coho Salmon bring serious attitude to every fight. These silver bullets typically run 8-15 pounds and absolutely refuse to give up easy. April through May sees them scattered throughout the water column, often willing to chase lures worked at various speeds. Fall cohos are staging near river mouths, feeding heavily before their spawning run. When you hook one, expect multiple jumps and bulldogging runs that'll test your drag settings.
Chinook Salmon are the heavyweights, with fish ranging from 15-30 pounds common and legitimate monsters swimming these waters. King salmon fight deep and powerful, using their bulk and the lake's current to their advantage. Spring kings are often found in deeper water, while fall fish move shallow and become more aggressive. Landing a big chinook on this gear is a real accomplishment - they're the fish that'll have you talking for months.
Brown Trout are the wildcards that can absolutely make your trip. These golden footballs are notorious for their wariness, but when conditions line up, they'll hammer lures with surprising aggression. Browns often feed during low-light periods, making evening trips particularly productive. They're also some of the best eating fish in the lake, with rich, flaky meat that rivals any freshwater species.
Lake Trout patrol the deeper water and provide steady action when other species are finicky. These native char are perfectly adapted to Lake Ontario's depths and can live for decades. While they don't jump like salmon, their steady, powerful runs and impressive size make them a favorite among anglers who appreciate a good tug-of-war. Lakers bite year-round, providing reliable action when weather or conditions make other species tough to find.
This evening half-day format hits the sweet spot for serious anglers who want quality fishing without the full-day commitment. The spring and fall seasons offer the best combination of fish activity and weather conditions, while the three-angler limit ensures everyone gets plenty of action. Lake Ontario is a world-class fishery that produces trophy fish every season, and Port Dalhousie gives you access to some of the most productive water on the lake. The captain provides everything except your refreshments and cooler, so all you need to do is show up ready to fish. Book early for these prime season dates - spots fill fast when word gets out about hot fishing.
This 20-foot Lund aluminum skiff cuts through Lake Ontario's waters with authority, powered by a 225HP Mercury that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast. Built in 2006, she's a proven salmon hunter that seats three anglers comfortably. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're working structure or following fish, while the GPS and fish finder help locate those productive spots where the salmon are staging. Whether you're casting spoons near shore or working deeper water, this rig handles Lake Ontario's conditions like a champ. The onboard sound system keeps spirits up during slower periods, and there's even a head for those longer sessions. With a top speed of 50 knots, you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time getting there. Perfect for serious salmon fishing on the big lake.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the crafty veterans of Lake Ontario, running 8-24 inches with beautiful golden-brown sides covered in black spots. These fish are smart and spooky, preferring cooler water around 54-65°F. You'll find them near structure, drop-offs, or cruising open water during our spring and fall trips. Browns are known for their stubborn, bulldogging fight - not flashy like rainbows, but they'll test your patience. The firm, mild-flavored meat is excellent table fare. They feed aggressively during low light, making our evening trips particularly productive. Unlike other trout, browns can live 12+ years, so we occasionally hook real monsters. Pro tip: browns are easily spooked by boat noise, so when we mark fish, I'll cut the engine and drift over them quietly - it makes a huge difference.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario - these bruisers can push 20-30 pounds and stretch over three feet long. They cruise deep water most of the time, staying down in the cooler layers where they feel comfortable. What makes kings special is their raw power - no fancy jumps, just bulldogging runs that'll make your arms burn. The reddish-pink meat is rich and perfect for the grill or smoker. Being light-shy, they feed best in low light, which is why our early morning and evening trips produce so well. We target them with downriggers and heavy tackle since they like to stay deep. Here's a local secret: when kings are sluggish, try a slower trolling speed than normal - sometimes that subtle change triggers strikes from finicky fish.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or silvers as we call them, are absolute acrobats. They'll run 12-30 inches and hit around 8-12 pounds in these waters. You'll find them cruising open water during our spring and fall runs, often suspended mid-column chasing baitfish. What guests love about cohos is their fighting style - they jump like crazy and make long runs that'll test your drag. The bright orange-red meat is top shelf for the dinner table. These fish are light-sensitive, so early morning and evening bites are usually best. During our trips, we'll target them with spoons and plugs in chartreuse or pink. My local trick: if cohos are being picky, try a smaller presentation than you think - sometimes downsizing your lure makes all the difference.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants here, often running 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds. They stick to the coldest, deepest parts of Lake Ontario where oxygen levels stay high. During our trips, we target them with downriggers in 80+ feet of water since they rarely come shallow except right after ice-out. What guests love is the steady, powerful fight - no jumping, just pure muscle pulling drag. The firm, flaky meat is outstanding when prepared right. Lakers prefer overcast days and low-light conditions, making them perfect for our morning and evening trips. They're slow-growing fish that can live decades, so the big ones are true trophies. Local trick: when jigging for lakers, work your lure in short, sharp lifts - they often hit on the drop, so stay alert for that subtle tick.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout run 8-24 inches here in Lake Ontario, with that signature pink stripe down their sides. They're scrappy fighters that love clean, cool water between 55-64°F. During our spring and fall trips, you'll find them cruising mid-depths around structure or holding near drop-offs. What makes rainbows special is their acrobatic jumps when hooked - they'll put on a real show. The meat is excellent eating with a mild, slightly nutty flavor. These fish are great indicators of water quality since they only thrive in clean environments. Pro tip: when the water's murky, switch to brighter spoons or spinners - rainbows rely heavily on sight to feed, so give them something they can see from a distance.
Ontario