Charter Fishing Lake Ontario | 4-Hour Evening Trip
After a long day at the office, there's nothing quite like hitting the water for some serious fishing action on Lake Ontario. Our "Working Late" charter runs Monday through Thursday evenings, giving you the perfect excuse to skip happy hour and chase some real trophy fish instead. We'll get you out there when the salmon and trout are most active, right as the sun starts to dip and the fish move into feeding mode. With departure times between 4:00 and 5:00 PM, we work around your schedule so you can wrap up that last meeting and still make it to the dock with time to spare.
What to Expect on the Water
This 4-hour evening charter accommodates up to 5 anglers, making it perfect for small groups looking to experience Lake Ontario's world-class fishing without the crowds. The evening bite is legendary here – as the water temperature drops and baitfish move shallow, the big predators follow. You'll be fishing during prime time when Chinook salmon are prowling the thermocline and steelhead are chasing emerald shiners near the surface. The boat is fully equipped with downriggers, planer boards, and all the tackle you need to target multiple species simultaneously. Just bring your valid fishing license (mandatory for all anglers), and we'll handle the rest. The flexible departure time means you can actually make this work with your busy schedule – something most other charters can't offer during the week.
Trolling Techniques & Gear
Lake Ontario fishing is all about covering water and finding the fish at the right depth. We'll be running a spread of downriggers set anywhere from 15 to 80 feet down, depending on where the fish are marking on the sonar. Planer boards let us cover even more water by getting lines out to the sides of the boat's wake. You'll be working with quality rods and reels spooled with 20-30 pound test line – strong enough for those freight train runs that Chinook salmon are famous for. We use a mix of spoons, plugs, and flasher-fly combos, switching up colors and presentations based on what the fish want that day. The evening hours mean we can also throw some topwater action into the mix when conditions are right. Don't worry if you're new to downrigger fishing – our experienced crew will walk you through everything and make sure you're ready when that rod tip starts bouncing.
Top Catches This Season
Coho salmon are the scrappiest fighters pound-for-pound in these waters. These silver bullets typically run 8-15 pounds and are known for their aerial acrobatics when hooked. They feed heavily on alewives in the upper water column, especially during evening hours when baitfish are most active. Late spring through early fall is prime time, with peak action happening from June through August. What makes coho special is their aggressive nature – they'll hit spoons, plugs, and flies with reckless abandon.
Steelhead trout are the marathon runners of Lake Ontario, capable of long, powerful runs that will test your drag system. These chrome-bright fish average 6-12 pounds but can push 20+ pounds in these fertile waters. They're active year-round but evening fishing from May through September offers consistent action. Steelhead are finicky eaters, often requiring subtle presentation changes to trigger strikes. Their fighting ability is legendary among Great Lakes anglers – expect multiple runs and head-shaking jumps.
Chinook salmon are the undisputed kings of Lake Ontario, with mature fish commonly reaching 20-30 pounds and occasionally topping 40 pounds. These powerful predators patrol the deeper waters during summer months, following temperature breaks and baitfish concentrations. Evening hours can trigger feeding frenzies as they move shallow to chase alewives. The sheer power of a hooked king salmon is something every angler should experience – they're capable of stripping line off even quality reels with their initial runs.
Brown trout are the most cautious predators in these waters, but also among the most rewarding to catch. These bronze-colored fighters typically range from 5-15 pounds and are known for their intelligence and wariness. They often feed during low-light conditions, making evening trips ideal for targeting them. Browns have a reputation for following lures without committing, requiring patience and presentation changes. When you do connect, they're bulldogs that use their weight and the current to their advantage.
Lake trout are the deep-water specialists, typically found in 60+ feet of water during summer months. These native char can live for decades and reach impressive sizes – 15-25 pound fish are common, with true giants pushing 30+ pounds. They prefer cold water and structure, often relating to drop-offs and underwater humps. Lake trout have a different fighting style than salmon – more of a steady pull than explosive runs, but their stamina will test your patience and technique.
Time to Book Your Spot
The "Working Late" evening charter runs from April 30th through September 30th, covering the absolute best fishing months on Lake Ontario. This customer-favorite trip fills up fast, especially during peak salmon runs in late summer. The flexible scheduling and prime evening bite times make this a top-rated option for serious anglers who can't get away during traditional daylight hours. With prices in US dollars and departure times that work around your schedule, this is hands-down the best way to experience world-class Great Lakes fishing without taking a full day off work. Don't let another season pass without getting out there – book your spot now and see why Lake Ontario evening fishing keeps anglers coming back for more.
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Lake Ontario
Evening charter fishing trips Monday through Thursday on Lake Ontario
