5.0(1 Reviews)Lake Ontario Early Bird Fishing Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Private 5-hour morning charter starts at 6:00 AM dailySeasonal availability from April 30th through September 30thAccommodates up to 4 guests on Lake Ontario waters
There's something magical about being on Lake Ontario when the sun first breaks the horizon at 6 AM. Captain Jay and his crew at Taymo Charters know exactly where the fish are biting during those prime morning hours, and this 5-hour "Early Bird" charter puts you right in the action. Running seasonally from April 30th through September 30th, this private trip accommodates up to 4 anglers who want to experience some of the best salmon and trout fishing the Great Lakes have to offer. Don't forget your fishing license – it's required for this top-rated morning adventure on one of North America's premier fishing destinations.
Your day starts early, but trust me, it's worth every minute of lost sleep. Lake Ontario in the morning hours is when the big fish are most active, especially during the cooler months of spring and fall. Captain Jay has been working these waters long enough to read the conditions like a book – water temperature, wind direction, and seasonal migration patterns all play into where he'll set up for the day. You'll be fishing primarily in the deeper waters where the thermocline holds the baitfish, and that's where the salmon and trout concentrate. The boat is equipped with downriggers and all the tackle you need, so even if you're new to Great Lakes fishing, the crew will get you set up properly. This isn't a cattle boat operation either – with just 4 spots available, you get personalized attention and plenty of rod time.
Lake Ontario fishing is all about trolling with downriggers, and if you've never done it before, you're in for a treat. We'll be running multiple lines at different depths, typically anywhere from 40 to 120 feet down, depending on where the fish are holding. The downriggers let us get spoons, plugs, and cut bait right into the strike zone while maintaining proper speed – usually between 2.5 and 3.5 mph. Captain Jay uses a combination of flashers and attractors that have proven successful over the years, and he's not shy about switching up presentations if the fish aren't responding. You'll learn to read the fish finder, understand why certain lures work better at different times of the season, and pick up techniques you can use on future trips. The boat's electronics are top-notch, so we can mark fish and structure effectively, and the captain knows the productive spots from years of experience on these waters.
"We had a great experience with Captain Jay and his "son" Brandon. They truly cared about ensuring we had a good time and caught some fish. They obviously know how to navigate the waters and find the fish. They were a lot of fun and we would highly recommend them for any level of fishermen!" - Jonathon
Coho Salmon are the acrobats of Lake Ontario, and catching one on this early morning trip is pure excitement. These silver bullets typically run 8 to 15 pounds and are known for their spectacular jumps when hooked. Cohos are most active during the cooler morning hours, making this charter timing perfect for targeting them. They're aggressive feeders and often hit spoons and cut alewives hard. The spring months see them scattered throughout the lake, while late summer brings them closer to shore as they prepare for their spawning runs.
Steelhead Trout are the marathon runners of the salmonid family, and Lake Ontario produces some true giants. These chrome-bright fish can exceed 20 pounds and are renowned for their long, powerful runs that will test your drag system. Steelhead prefer cooler water temperatures, which is why the early morning start gives you the best shot at connecting with a trophy. They're often found in the same areas as salmon but may be holding slightly deeper or in different temperature layers.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario, and for good reason. These powerful fish regularly exceed 20 pounds, with 30-pounders caught every season. Kings are structure-oriented and often relate to temperature breaks and thermoclines where baitfish concentrate. During the spring and early summer, they're spread throughout the lake's deeper waters, making them prime targets for this charter's fishing zones. When a big king grabs your line in 80 feet of water, you'll understand why anglers travel from across the country to fish these waters.
Brown Trout are the crafty veterans that have earned their reputation as one of the most challenging fish to consistently catch. Lake Ontario's browns can grow huge – fish over 25 pounds are caught annually. They're often the most line-shy of the salmonids, requiring finesse presentations and sharp hooks. Browns tend to be most active during low-light conditions, which makes the early morning timing of this trip ideal. They're known for their golden-brown coloration and distinctive spots, and they fight with a combination of power and cunning that keeps anglers coming back.
Lake Trout are the natives that call Lake Ontario's deepest, coldest waters home. These fish are typically found in 60 to 150 feet of water and can live for decades, growing to impressive sizes. Lakers over 20 pounds are caught regularly, and they provide a different kind of fight – deep, powerful runs rather than the aerial displays of other species. They're most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are cooler, and they respond well to spoons and tube jigs fished near the bottom.
This seasonal charter books up quickly, especially during peak fishing months when the salmon are running hot and heavy. With only 4 spots available per trip, you're getting a premium fishing experience without the crowds you'll find on larger charter boats. Captain Jay's local knowledge and proven track record speak for themselves – this is the kind of trip that creates fishing memories you'll be talking about for years. The early morning start might seem tough, but when you're fighting a
Get ready to chase trophy fish aboard this beautifully restored 27-foot Cruiser Inc. sportfishing boat! Originally built in 1989 and completely refurbished in 2016, she's your ticket to Lake Ontario's best fishing spots. The powerful 350HP Mercruiser inboard engine pushes this baby to 30 knots, getting you to the fish fast and back to port smooth. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work your lines without getting tangled up. The GPS keeps you on course while the fish finder shows you exactly what's swimming below. When you need a break from battling the big ones, grab some shade or use the onboard facilities. Early morning trips mean you'll be casting at first light when the fish are most active. This seasonal charter runs from late April through September, perfect for catching Lake Ontario's finest.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the thinking angler's fish - they're smart, cautious, and absolutely beautiful with their golden-brown sides and scattered black spots. These European natives have made Lake Ontario home and typically range 8-24 inches, though we see some real slabs pushing 30+ inches. They're structure-oriented fish, hanging around rocky areas, drop-offs, and anywhere there's cover. Early mornings and evenings are prime time, especially during overcast conditions when they move shallow to hunt. What makes them special is their wariness - they'll inspect your presentation and reject anything that looks suspicious. The payoff is worth it though - they fight hard and taste fantastic. For Lake Ontario browns, I always tell guests to fish near the thermocline with smaller presentations. A bright copper spoon behind a long leader often does the trick when nothing else will.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario, and for good reason - these monsters regularly hit 20-30 pounds with some pushing even bigger. They're light-sensitive fish, so our early morning starts work perfectly since they stay deep during bright conditions. You'll recognize them by their black gums and mouth, plus heavy black spotting on their backs and fins. We target them in 60-120 feet of water where they cruise near thermoclines chasing alewives. Spring and early summer provide prime fishing when they're actively feeding before spawning runs. The fight is different from other salmon - more of a bulldogging, head-shaking battle than jumping. Their rich, red meat is outstanding table fare. My go-to technique is downrigger trolling with large spoons, but here's the key: run them slower than you think, around 2.5 mph works best in Ontario's waters.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called "silvers," are some of the most acrobatic fighters you'll find in Lake Ontario. These beauties typically run 8-12 pounds with that classic silver shine and dark spotted backs. What makes them special is their jumping ability - they can leap 6 feet vertically when hooked, putting on quite a show. We find them in open water during our morning trips, usually suspended in the top 40 feet where they're chasing baitfish. Spring through early summer offers the best action when they're actively feeding. The orange-red meat makes for excellent eating, and their aggressive nature means they'll hit spoons and plugs hard. Pro tip: when trolling for coho, vary your speed every few minutes - that change often triggers strikes from fish that are just following your lures.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of our Great Lakes system, and Ontario holds some true monsters. These char family members average 15-40 pounds with that distinctive grey-green coloring and cream-colored spots. They're cold-water specialists, spending most of their time in 80-200+ feet of water where temperatures stay cool year-round. Spring offers the best shallow-water opportunities right after ice-out, but summer means going deep with downriggers. What makes lakers special is their size potential and unique fighting style - more of a powerful, steady pull than flashy jumps. They're slow-growing fish that can live decades, so the big ones are truly trophy specimens. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for smoking. My best advice for Lake Ontario lakers: focus on jigging near bottom in 120+ feet of water, and don't be afraid to use big presentations - these fish didn't get large eating small meals.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that decided to get serious about life - they're bigger, stronger, and way more aggressive. These chrome-bright fighters average 24 inches but can push 45 inches in Lake Ontario's rich waters. Unlike their landlocked cousins, steelhead have that distinctive silvery look with black spots scattered across their backs. They love deep, cold water and structure like drop-offs and rocky areas. Early morning trips from spring through fall produce the best results, especially on overcast days when they move up in the water column. What guests love most is the fight - these fish make blistering runs and aerial displays that'll test your drag system. Here's a local secret: when jigging for steelhead, pause your retrieve every few cranks - they often hit on the drop.
5.0 out of 5.0We had a great experience with Captain Jay and his “son” Brandon. They truly cared about ensuring we had a good time and caught so...
Lake Ontario