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Full Day Salmon Trout Charter Lake Ontario
- Published Date: January 8, 2026
- Fishing
- Lake Ontario
- $125 - $1,500 price range
- Updated Date: January 8, 2026
Summary
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Charter Day Highlights
Full Day Lake Ontario Salmon and Trout Charter
When you're serious about fishing Lake Ontario's legendary salmon and trout, you need a captain who knows these waters inside and out. Captain Christopher's been running these full-day charters for years, and his 23-foot Sport-Craft is built for the big lake's conditions. This isn't your typical half-day rush job – we're talking eight solid hours on the water, starting at first light when the fish are most active. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to fill the cooler or a family wanting to experience world-class Great Lakes fishing, this charter delivers the goods.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day kicks off at 6:00 AM sharp – trust me, the early start pays off when you're battling a 20-pound King salmon before most people have had their coffee. Captain Christopher's got everything dialed in: top-rated downriggers, quality rods and reels, and a tackle box full of proven lures that Lake Ontario fish can't resist. The boat handles four anglers comfortably, so there's no elbow-bumping when the action heats up. You'll appreciate the onboard head during those long stretches, and the captain's local knowledge means you're always fishing where the fish are, not where they were yesterday. Don't forget your New York fishing license – it's required for everyone over 16, and you can grab one online before you arrive.
Downrigger Tactics & Gear
Lake Ontario fishing is all about getting your presentation down to where the big fish cruise, and that's where downriggers shine. These electric workhorses let us precisely control our lure depth, running anything from 20 feet down to 150 feet or more, depending on water temperature and fish location. Captain Christopher runs multiple lines at different depths, covering the entire water column. We'll be pulling spoons, plugs, and flasher-fly combinations that have proven themselves on these waters. The boat's fish finder shows us the thermocline – that magic layer where cold and warm water meet and salmon love to hang out. When we mark fish, we adjust our spread accordingly. The downriggers do the heavy lifting, but when that rod tip starts bouncing and the clip releases, it's all you versus the fish.
Species You'll Want to Hook
Chinook Salmon are the undisputed kings of Lake Ontario, and for good reason. These monsters can push 30 pounds or more, with their broad shoulders and chrome sides that'll blind you when they jump. Peak season runs from late June through September, when they're feeding heavily before their spawning run. What makes Kings so special is their raw power – they'll strip line off your reel in long, determined runs that test both your tackle and your nerves. Captain Christopher knows the drop-offs and structure where these fish patrol, often in 80 to 200 feet of water.
Coho Salmon might be smaller than their King cousins, but pound-for-pound, they're the best fighters in the lake. These acrobatic silver bullets average 8 to 15 pounds and go absolutely ballistic when hooked, clearing the water multiple times in spectacular fashion. They're more aggressive feeders than Kings, often found higher in the water column chasing baitfish. Summer months are prime time, especially early morning and late evening when they move shallow to feed. Their bright chrome sides and distinctive black-spotted tails make them easy to identify.
Atlantic Salmon represent one of the Great Lakes' greatest restoration success stories, and Lake Ontario has become their stronghold. These fish are built for endurance, with lean bodies and incredible stamina that'll have you questioning your reel's drag system. They typically run 15 to 25 pounds, with some trophy fish pushing beyond that. What sets Atlantics apart is their intelligence – they're notoriously line-shy and require finesse presentations. When you do connect, expect long, powerful runs and plenty of head shaking. They're most active during the cooler months of spring and fall.
Steelhead are Lake Ontario's year-round customer favorites, and these rainbow trout on steroids provide consistent action when salmon fishing slows down. Don't let their trout classification fool you – these fish regularly hit 15 to 20 pounds and fight with the heart of a fish twice their size. They're incredibly adaptable, feeding everywhere from the surface to near-bottom, making them perfect targets for our downrigger spread. Their rainbow-striped sides and never-quit attitude make every hookup memorable. Spring and fall offer peak action, but you'll find willing Steelhead throughout the season.
Lake Trout are the true natives here, having called these waters home for thousands of years. These deep-dwelling bruisers prefer the coldest water Lake Ontario has to offer, often holding 100 feet down or more during summer months. They're built like submarines – long, lean, and incredibly strong. A 20-pound Lake Trout will give you a completely different fight than a salmon, using the depths to their advantage with deep, stubborn runs. Their distinctive forked tail and light spotting over olive-green sides make them unmistakable. They're most active during the cooler months when they move up from the depths.
Brown Trout are the lake's craftiest residents, earning respect from every angler who's tangled with one. These golden-sided beauties are ambush predators, often lurking near structure or drop-offs waiting for an easy meal. They're notorious for their wariness – one wrong move and they'll disappear faster than morning mist. But when you fool a big Brown, you're in for a treat. They fight smart, using every trick in the book from wild runs to sudden direction changes. Their beautiful golden-brown coloration with distinctive black and red spots makes them one of the most gorgeous fish in the lake.
Time to Book Your Spot
Lake Ontario's salmon and trout fishing is world-class, but the best charters fill up fast
Learn more about the species
Atlantic Salmon
Atlantic salmon are rare trophy fish in Lake Ontario, averaging 28-30 inches and 8-12 pounds with their distinctive silver bodies and dark spots. Unlike Pacific salmon, these beauties can spawn multiple times and are known for their orange-pink meat quality. They prefer deeper, cooler waters during summer months and become more active in the fall when they start their spawning runs. What makes them special is their incredible leaping ability and strong fight once hooked. Finding them requires patience since populations are still recovering, but when you connect with one, it's a memorable battle. My tip: focus on areas where tributaries meet the lake during cooler months - they tend to stage there before heading upstream.
Brown Trout
Brown trout are the smartest fish in Lake Ontario, with golden-brown backs covered in black spots and that telltale orange adipose fin. They average 8-24 inches but can push much larger, especially the lake-run fish that cruise deep water most of the year. These trout are structure-oriented, hanging around drop-offs, rocky areas, and temperature breaks. Fall is prime time when they get aggressive before spawning, though they feed well in low-light conditions year-round. Browns are prized for their wariness and fighting ability - they'll make you work for every fish. Their mild, sweet meat is excellent table fare too. Best tip for Lake Ontario browns: fish near tributary mouths in fall evenings with streamers or spoons - they ambush baitfish moving between deep and shallow water.
Chinook Salmon
Chinook salmon are the kings of Lake Ontario, growing 12-39 inches and often hitting 20-30 pounds. These bruisers have silver sides with black spots covering their entire body and fins, plus distinctive black gums. They're light-sensitive, so they stay deep during bright days, making downriggers essential. Spring and fall offer the best action when they move into shallower water. What sets kings apart is their raw power and stamina - they'll make long runs and test your drag like no other fish. Their reddish-pink meat is outstanding eating too. Early morning and evening produce the best bites when they're less spooky. My go-to trick: use larger spoons in deeper water and don't be afraid to go heavy with your tackle - these fish don't mess around.
Coho Salmon
Coho salmon, or "silvers," are some of the most acrobatic fish you'll encounter on Lake Ontario, jumping up to 6 feet when hooked. These fish typically run 12-30 inches and weigh 8-12 pounds, with bright silver sides and distinctive black spots on their backs and tail fins. They prefer open water but move closer to shore in spring and fall. Cohos are aggressive fighters with excellent table quality - their bright orange meat is top-notch. Best fishing happens during overcast conditions or early morning when they're actively feeding. They'll hit spoons, plugs, and flies trolled at various depths. Pro tip: when trolling, vary your speed every few minutes - cohos love the erratic action of a lure that speeds up and slows down.
Lake Trout
Lake trout are the deep-water specialists of Lake Ontario, averaging 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds with their grey-green bodies and cream-colored markings. These char prefer the lake's deepest, coldest waters, often suspended 60-120 feet down during summer. Spring right after ice-out and fall are your best shots when they move shallower. Lakers are steady, powerful fighters that make long runs rather than jumping. They're excellent eating with firm, flaky white meat. Since they avoid bright light, overcast days or dawn/dusk fishing produces better results. Jigging is the go-to method in deep water with spoons or swimbaits that imitate dying baitfish. Local tip: use your electronics to find the thermocline - lakers often cruise just below it where the water stays consistently cold.
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
