Lake Ontario is the easternmost of the Great Lakes and one of the premier freshwater sport fisheries in North America. Its deep, cold waters support a diverse and healthy population of game fish, headlined by Chinook salmon that can exceed 30 pounds and lake trout that hold in the deep water year-round. For anglers in Ontario, the lake offers fishing opportunities that are genuinely world-class and surprisingly accessible.
The Ontario shore of Lake Ontario stretches from Niagara-on-the-Lake in the west to Kingston in the east, with dozens of ports, harbours, and launch ramps along its length. Charter services operate from most major ports, and the lake is within a day's drive of millions of people in both Ontario and the northeastern United States.
Target Species
Chinook Salmon are the main attraction for most anglers fishing Lake Ontario. Stocked since the 1970s, Chinooks have thrived in the lake's deep, cold waters and abundant baitfish. Fish in the 15 to 25 pound range are common, with trophy fish exceeding 30 pounds taken every season. The peak fishery is June through August, when Chinooks hold in deep water and are targeted by trolling with downriggers.
Coho Salmon are smaller than Chinooks but are spirited fighters and excellent table fare. They tend to hold in shallower water and are often caught alongside Chinooks during the summer trolling season. Coho typically run 5 to 12 pounds.
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) are available year-round in the lake and run the tributaries in spring and fall. Lake-run steelhead are powerful fish, often in the 8 to 15 pound range, and the tributary runs draw anglers from across the province. Spring and fall are the best times for steelhead, both in the open lake and in the rivers.
Brown Trout are the nearshore specialists of Lake Ontario. They hold close to shore, often within casting distance of the beach in spring and fall. Brown trout fishing is excellent from April through June and again from September through November. Fish in the 3 to 10 pound range are typical, with larger specimens possible.
Lake Trout inhabit the deep, cold water of the lake year-round. They are targeted by deep trolling and jigging, and while they lack the speed of salmon, they can be very large. Lake trout over 20 pounds are caught regularly.
Lake Ontario's deep waters hold salmon, trout, and other game fish from spring through fall.
Best Times of Year
Spring (April – May): Brown trout are nearshore and aggressive. Steelhead run the tributaries. Early salmon start to show. Water is cold and fish are active in the upper water column. This is one of the most productive times to be on the lake.
Summer (June – August): The prime season for Chinook salmon. Fish move offshore and hold in deep, cool water below the thermocline. Trolling with downriggers at depths of 60 to 150 feet is the standard technique. This is when the biggest fish are caught.
Fall (September – October): Salmon stage near tributary mouths before spawning runs. Brown trout return inshore. Steelhead begin their fall run. The fishing is diverse and the weather is often excellent. For the latest conditions, see our fishing reports.
Common Techniques
Trolling is the dominant technique on Lake Ontario, particularly for salmon and lake trout. Charter boats typically run multiple rods on downriggers, planer boards, and dipsy divers, covering a range of depths and distances from the boat. Spoons, plugs, and flasher-fly combinations are the standard presentations.
Casting and jigging work well for nearshore species, particularly brown trout in spring and fall. Casting spoons and crankbaits from shore or from a boat positioned close to structure can be very effective when fish are holding shallow.
Tributary fishing for steelhead and salmon uses techniques ranging from float fishing with roe bags to swinging flies. The rivers that flow into Lake Ontario draw significant runs of fish in spring and fall, and the tributary fishery is an important part of the overall Lake Ontario experience.
Why Charter
Lake Ontario is a big body of water, and conditions change constantly. Water temperature, baitfish location, currents, and weather all affect where the fish are holding on any given day. A charter captain who fishes the lake regularly has the experience and equipment to find fish efficiently and put you in a position to catch them.
For anglers visiting from other parts of Ontario, including the Ottawa Valley and Eastern Ontario, a Lake Ontario charter trip makes an excellent destination outing. The fishing is different from anything available on inland waters, and the opportunity to catch large salmon and trout on open water is an experience worth the drive.