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2 Day Lake Ontario Salmon Charter Dry Creek
- Published Date: January 8, 2026
- Fishing
- Lake Ontario
- $125 - $1,500 price range
- Updated Date: January 8, 2026
Summary
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Big Lake Action
2 Day Lake Ontario Salmon Fishing Charter
Picture this: two full days chasing salmon and trout across Lake Ontario's legendary fishing grounds with Captain Christopher and Dry Creek Charters. This Weekend Warrior charter is built for serious anglers who want to maximize their time on the water, starting each morning at 6:00 AM aboard a well-equipped 23' Sport-Craft. You're looking at 16+ hours of fishing over the weekend, targeting everything from monster Chinook salmon to scrappy rainbow trout. The captain provides all the gear, knows where the fish are biting, and welcomes everyone from first-timers to seasoned pros. Just bring your fishing license, some water, and get ready for what many call the best multi-day fishing experience on the Great Lakes.
What to Expect on the Water
Your adventure kicks off at dawn both days, when the lake is calm and the fish are most active. Captain Christopher runs a tight ship with his 23' Sport-Craft, complete with professional downriggers that'll get your lines down to where the big salmon are cruising. The boat's equipped with an onboard toilet, which is a game-changer on these longer trips. You'll have room for up to four anglers, so bring your crew or join other fishing enthusiasts for the weekend. The captain supplies all rods, reels, and lures – he knows exactly what's working based on current conditions and seasonal patterns. Whether you're a complete beginner or you've been fishing these waters for years, Captain Christopher adjusts the experience to match your skill level. The atmosphere is relaxed but focused, with plenty of time to learn new techniques and enjoy the stunning views of Lake Ontario.
Downrigger Tactics & Gear
This charter runs on proven downrigger techniques that consistently put fish in the boat. Those professional downriggers let you precisely control your lure depth, which is crucial when salmon are holding at specific thermoclines throughout the season. Captain Christopher tracks water temperature and fish activity to determine exactly where to set your lines – sometimes that's 40 feet down, sometimes it's 80 feet or more. The boat carries a full arsenal of spoons, plugs, and flasher-fly combos that have been tested in these waters. You'll learn how to read the sonar, watch for temperature breaks, and recognize the subtle bites that often signal a big salmon. The downrigger setup means you can cover lots of water efficiently while keeping your baits in the strike zone. Don't worry about the technical side – the captain handles all the setup and adjustments, but he's happy to explain the process if you want to level up your own fishing knowledge.
Top Catches This Season
Lake Ontario delivers some of the most diverse salmon and trout fishing you'll find anywhere in North America. Chinook salmon are the crown jewel here, with fish regularly hitting 20-30 pounds and the occasional monster pushing 35+ pounds. These kings are most active from late spring through fall, staging near river mouths and along temperature breaks in deeper water. They fight like freight trains and test your drag system to the limit. Coho salmon offer non-stop action with their acrobatic fights and aggressive strikes – they're smaller than Chinooks but pound-for-pound some of the best fighting fish in the lake. Atlantic salmon are the lake's success story, with a growing population that's producing beautiful fish in the 8-15 pound range. They're incredibly athletic and known for spectacular jumps when hooked.
The trout fishing is equally impressive. Lake trout cruise the deep, cold waters year-round and can reach impressive sizes – 10-20 pounders are common, with some true giants lurking in the depths. Brown trout are the lake's most challenging species, extremely wary but incredibly rewarding when you connect with a good one. They often feed near structure and can exceed 15 pounds. Rainbow trout, or "steelhead" as many anglers call them, provide consistent action throughout the season. They're aggressive feeders and fantastic fighters, with chrome-bright fish that average 5-12 pounds but can surprise you with much larger specimens.
Time to Book Your Spot
Two days on Lake Ontario with a top-rated charter operation isn't just a fishing trip – it's your chance to experience why this lake has such a devoted following among serious anglers. You'll learn techniques that work, fish with quality gear, and have stories to tell for years. Captain Christopher's local knowledge and professional approach mean you're fishing the best spots at the right times, not just hoping for luck. The multi-day format lets you really dial in on the bite and try different areas as conditions change. Remember to grab your New York fishing license before you board, pack some bottled water and snacks (no meals are included), and don't forget polarized sunglasses and non-spray sunscreen. Moderate alcohol is welcome aboard, but leave the hard stuff and glass bottles at home. Weekend slots fill up fast during peak season, so don't wait to secure your dates with Dry Creek Charters.
Learn more about the species
Atlantic Salmon
Atlantic Salmon average 28-30 inches and 8-12 pounds, with their distinctive silver bodies and bronze coloring during spawning runs. In Lake Ontario, these fish cruise deeper waters, typically 40-80 feet down where temperatures stay cool. Unlike Pacific salmon, Atlantics can spawn multiple times and put up a smart, sustained fight that makes them a favorite among experienced anglers. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're feeding heavily on alewives and smelt. The meat is top-notch - that classic orange-pink color with rich flavor that's hard to beat. Pro tip: when trolling for Atlantics, slow your presentation down compared to other salmon. They're methodical feeders and prefer a steady, natural bait movement over flashy, erratic lures.
Brown Trout
Brown trout are the smart guys of Lake Ontario, averaging 8-24 inches but capable of reaching trophy sizes over 9 pounds. These golden-brown beauties with black spots are structure-oriented, hanging around rocky areas, drop-offs, and near-shore cover in 15-50 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and low-light conditions, making fall their peak season when they feed aggressively before winter. Browns are known for their wariness and hard fighting ability once hooked. The firm, mild-flavored meat is excellent table fare. They prefer water temps between 54-65°F, so we target thermal layers where they're most comfortable. Pro tip: browns are extremely line-shy, so we often drop down to lighter leaders and more natural presentations. A subtle approach catches more browns than flashy lures every time.
Chinook Salmon
Chinook salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario, regularly hitting 15-30 pounds with some pushing even bigger. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted backs prefer the deep, cold water - we're talking 60-120 feet down where they cruise along temperature breaks. They're light-sensitive, so early morning and evening bites are prime time, though our downriggers let us reach them all day. Spring and fall migrations offer the hottest action when they're feeding heavily before spawning runs. Chinooks fight deep and powerful, making long runs that test your drag. The reddish-pink meat is outstanding eating. Local knowledge: when targeting big kings, don't be afraid to go heavy on your tackle and use larger baits like whole alewives or big spoons. These fish didn't get huge by being timid eaters.
Coho Salmon
Coho salmon, also called silvers, typically run 12-30 inches and pack serious attitude into their 8-12 pound frames. These acrobatic fighters love to jump - sometimes up to 6 feet straight up - making them a blast on lighter tackle. In Lake Ontario, look for them in 20-60 feet of water, often suspended over deeper basins chasing baitfish. Spring through early fall produces the best fishing, especially during low-light periods when they feed aggressively. Their bright orange meat is excellent table fare, and their willingness to hit lures makes them perfect for families and newer anglers. Here's a local trick: when cohos are being picky, downsize your spoons to teaspoon-sized offerings in bright colors like chartreuse or hot pink. They can't resist that flash.
Lake Trout
Lake trout are the deep-water giants of Ontario, averaging 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds. These grey-green char with cream-colored spots live in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake - usually 80-200 feet down where oxygen levels stay high. Spring right after ice-out and fall are peak times when they move shallower and feed more actively. Lakers are slow-growing and long-lived, making them prized catches that fight with surprising power for their size. The firm, flaky meat is excellent when prepared properly. Since they're cold-water specialists, we use our downriggers to get jigs and spoons down to their level. Here's the key: lakers prefer a slow, vertical presentation. Work your jigs methodically near bottom structure, and don't rush the retrieve. Patience pays off with these deep-water heavyweights.
About the Dry Creek Boat
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Mercruiser
Maximum Cruising Speed: 28
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 305
