Lake Ontario Salmon & Trout Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Private 5hour Lake Ontario charter targeting salmon and troutExpert Captain Kurt Driscoll provides tackle and personalized instructionAfternoon timing optimized for peak salmon feeding activity
Captain Kurt Driscoll knows Lake Ontario like the back of his hand, and his afternoon fishing charters are quickly becoming the talk among serious anglers. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – it's a focused, 5-hour mission targeting some of the Great Lakes' most prized species. With Stalker Charters, you'll hit the water during prime feeding hours when Chinook salmon and brown trout are most active, giving you the best shot at landing trophy fish that'll have your buddies asking for details.
Your afternoon starts around 1 PM when the sun's position creates perfect conditions for salmon feeding near thermoclines and structure. Captain Kurt keeps his groups small – just 4 anglers max – so everyone gets personal attention and plenty of rod time. The boat's rigged with top-shelf tackle, downriggers, and all the gear you need, but feel free to bring your favorite rods if you've got them. Kurt's been working these waters for years and knows exactly where fish are staging based on water temperature, baitfish movement, and seasonal patterns. He'll adjust techniques throughout the trip, switching between depths and presentations until you find what's working. Don't expect to just sit back and wait – this is hands-on fishing where you'll learn proven methods for reading the lake and positioning yourself for success.
Lake Ontario fishing is all about precision trolling, and Kurt runs a tight ship when it comes to technique. You'll be working with downriggers to get your presentations down to where the fish are holding, typically anywhere from 40 to 120 feet depending on conditions and target species. Spoons, plugs, and cut bait are the go-to options, with colors and sizes adjusted based on what the fish are telling you. Kurt provides all tackle, but he's also great about explaining why certain setups work better in different situations – water clarity, time of day, and seasonal feeding patterns all factor into lure selection. The boat's equipped with quality fish finders and GPS, so you'll see exactly what's happening below and learn to read the electronics like a pro. Temperature breaks are key on Lake Ontario, and Kurt's got the experience to find those productive zones where salmon and trout concentrate.
Chinook salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario, and for good reason. These powerhouse fish regularly hit 20-30 pounds and put up fights that'll test your drag system and stamina. They're most active during late afternoon hours when they move up in the water column to feed, making them perfect targets for this charter timing. Chinooks are aggressive feeders but also incredibly smart – they'll inspect your presentation and reject anything that doesn't look right. When you hook one, expect long runs, head shakes, and jumps that'll get your heart pumping. The best action typically happens from late spring through early fall when these fish are feeding heavily before their spawning runs.
Brown trout are the craftiest predators in the lake, known for their wariness and explosive strikes. These fish average 8-15 pounds but can push much larger, and they're notorious for their acrobatic fights and tendency to throw hooks if you're not careful with your drag settings. Browns prefer structure and drop-offs, often holding in areas other anglers pass by. They're active year-round but really turn on during overcast conditions and low-light periods, making afternoon trips productive when cloud cover rolls in. Their colors are absolutely stunning – golden flanks with distinctive spots that make them a favorite photo opportunity.
Rainbow trout, also called steelhead, bring their own unique appeal to Lake Ontario fishing. These silver rockets are built for speed and endurance, often making multiple jumps and long runs that'll have you wondering how something so streamlined can fight so hard. They typically run 6-12 pounds in the lake, with exceptional fish pushing beyond that. Rainbows are aggressive feeders and often school up, so when you find one, there's usually more around. They're particularly active during spring and fall transitions when water temperatures are changing, and they respond well to both subtle presentations and flashy attractors depending on their mood.
Captain Kurt's afternoon charters are gaining serious traction among anglers who want quality over quantity. You're not just buying a fishing trip – you're getting access to decades of local knowledge, proven techniques, and some of the most productive water Lake Ontario has to offer. The 5-hour format gives you enough time to really get into fish without the fatigue of a full-day grind, and the afternoon timing coincides perfectly with peak feeding activity. Whether you're looking to improve your trolling skills, land a personal best, or just enjoy some quality time on the water, this charter delivers the goods. Spots fill up quick during prime season, so don't wait around if you're serious about getting out there. Give Stalker Charters a call and lock in your dates – Lake Ontario's salmon and trout are waiting.
Your fishing platform for this Lake Ontario salmon and trout charter is a beautifully restored 36' Chris-Craft express cruiser that's been given new life in 2023 while keeping its classic 1985 bones. Twin 325HP Crusader engines push this boat to a solid 37 knots when you need to cover water fast to reach the productive fishing zones. The cockpit is set up perfectly for working the trolling spread with plenty of room for up to 6 anglers to move around the boat when fish are on. Modern electronics include GPS to mark your hotspots, radar for those foggy Lake Ontario mornings, and a quality fish finder to locate schools of salmon and trout in the water column. There's a head on board for convenience during those long productive bites. This restored cruiser gives you the stability needed for fighting big Chinook salmon while offering the speed to chase birds and baitfish across the lake. Captain Kurt has this boat dialed in for serious fishing, with all the right gear and local knowledge to put you on fish during prime feeding times.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the smart ones - they didn't earn their reputation as "educated" fish for nothing. In Lake Ontario, they average 3-8 pounds but can push well into double digits. These golden-brown beauties with black spots prefer structure like rocky drop-offs and stay close to temperature breaks. Fall through early spring fishing is prime time when they're more aggressive and closer to shore. What draws anglers back? Their unpredictable nature and excellent table fare with firm, flaky meat. Browns fight dirty too - expect head shakes and sudden runs toward cover. Here's something most don't know: browns often follow our lures for long distances before striking, so don't be surprised if we change direction suddenly to trigger that follow into a bite.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario, often called the "king" for good reason. These silver-sided fighters typically run 15-25 pounds here, though 30+ pounders show up regularly. They cruise the deeper, cooler waters during summer but move up into the water column during late afternoon feeding - perfect timing for our charters. Chinooks are light-sensitive, so they stay deep most of the day, making downriggers and trolling our go-to methods. What makes them special? That hard pull when they hit, plus their rich, salmon-colored meat makes for great eating. Local tip: when we mark fish on the sonar around 80-120 feet, slow your trolling speed down - kings like a slower presentation than most expect.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout bring the acrobatics to Lake Ontario fishing. These silver beauties with their signature pink stripe typically run 4-8 pounds here, though we see some pushing 12-15 pounds. They're active in the upper water column, especially during overcast conditions and cooler months. What sets them apart? When hooked, they jump like crazy - pure aerial entertainment. Their pink flesh is mild and tasty, making them a favorite on the dinner table. Rainbows prefer cooler water around 55-65°F, so we target them in depths where the thermocline sits. They school up more than browns, so when we find one, there's usually more nearby. Pro tip: rainbows often hit right as we're turning the boat - the lure speed change triggers their strike instinct.
Lake Ontario