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Fair Haven Bay Salmon & Trout Action
Lake Ontario, NYWhat you will be catching:
Brown Trout
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
Lake Trout
Steelhead Trout
- Direct launch from Little Sodus Bay for efficient Lake Ontario access
- Target Chinook salmon, coho, and trophy trout using specialized trolling
- Half-day focused session accommodates up to four guests maximum
Trip Pricing and Availabilities:
Fair Haven Bay Salmon & Trout Action
Ready to feel your drag screaming and your arms burning? This Fair Haven Bay charter puts you right in the heart of Lake Ontario's legendary salmon and trout fishery without the marathon commitment of a full-day trip. We launch directly from Little Sodus Bay, which means you're fishing productive water within ten minutes of leaving the dock—not burning half your time running to the fishing grounds. Bear Craft Fishing Science LLC knows exactly where these coldwater predators cruise, and we'll have you hooked up fast on some of the Great Lakes' most prized species.
What to Expect on the Water
This isn't your average pond fishing trip. We're targeting aggressive, hard-fighting fish in deep, open water where Lake Ontario shows off its true character. You'll be fishing over structure and baitfish highways that draw massive schools of alewives and emerald shiners—which means hungry salmon and trout aren't far behind. The beauty of launching from Fair Haven is the instant access to productive depths. While other boats are still motoring out, we're already marking fish and setting lines. Expect to see other serious anglers working the same waters, but don't worry—there's plenty of room and plenty of fish when you know the right spots and techniques.
Trolling Tactics That Work
We fish smart here, using proven Great Lakes trolling methods that consistently put fish in the boat. Downriggers are your best friend for precision depth control—we'll drop those cannonballs to exactly where the fish are holding, whether that's 40 feet down or pushing 80 in the thermocline. Planer boards spread our presentation wide, covering more water and keeping lines away from boat noise. Speed control is critical; Lake Ontario salmon and trout can be finicky about trolling speed, and we'll adjust constantly based on what the fish are telling us. You'll run everything from spoons and plugs to cut bait rigs, depending on what's working that day. The key is staying mobile and adapting—if one area goes quiet, we move fast to find active fish.
Target Species
Chinook salmon are the undisputed kings of Lake Ontario, with mature fish pushing 20-30 pounds of pure muscle and attitude. These Pacific transplants have adapted beautifully to the Great Lakes system and provide some of the most exciting freshwater fishing on the continent. Peak action typically runs from late spring through early fall, with fish staging in deeper water before their spawning runs. When a king hits your line, you'll know it immediately—they make blistering runs, jump like tarpon, and test every bit of your tackle and technique. The fight alone is worth the trip, but the bragging rights of landing a Lake Ontario chinook last a lifetime.
Coho salmon bring a different kind of excitement to the table with their acrobatic fights and willingness to bite. Generally smaller than chinooks at 8-15 pounds, cohos make up for size with pure athleticism—they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a show that keeps everyone on the boat watching. These silver bullets are often more aggressive feeders than their larger cousins, making them a great target species when fishing gets tough. Cohos love working the mid-depths where baitfish concentrate, and they'll absolutely crush a well-presented spoon or plug.
Steelhead trout are legendary for their stamina and fighting ability, earning respect from anglers worldwide. Lake Ontario's steelhead are chrome-bright, powerful fish that can exceed 10 pounds and fight like fish twice their size. They're notorious for long, determined runs that can empty your reel in seconds, followed by spectacular jumps that leave you wondering if your line will hold. Spring and fall offer peak opportunities, but these adaptive fish can be caught throughout the open-water season. Every steelhead fight is unique, and landing one always feels like a personal victory.
Brown trout represent the ultimate challenge for many Lake Ontario anglers—they're smart, spooky, and absolutely gorgeous when you finally get one to the net. These fish can grow huge in the lake's rich environment, with specimens over 15 pounds caught regularly. Browns are often more selective feeders than salmon, requiring finesse and patience to consistently catch. But when you connect with a big lake-run brown, you're in for a sophisticated fight that combines power, intelligence, and unpredictability. Their golden flanks and distinctive spots make them one of the most beautiful fish swimming in these waters.
Lake trout are the natives here, perfectly adapted to Lake Ontario's deep, cold environment. These fish can live for decades and reach impressive sizes, with 20-plus pounders caught every season. Lakers prefer deeper water and cooler temperatures, making them a year-round target when you know where to look. They're powerful, bulldogging fighters that use their size and the deep water to their advantage. While they might not jump like salmon, a big lake trout will give you a sustained battle that tests your endurance and tackle. Plus, they're excellent eating when properly prepared.
Time to Book Your Spot
Fair Haven Bay offers world-class fishing without the crowds and chaos of some other Lake Ontario ports. This focused, efficient charter gets you on fish fast and maximizes your time actually fishing instead of traveling. Whether you're a Great Lakes veteran or new to coldwater fishing, this trip delivers the goods—hard-fighting fish, proven techniques, and the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back season after season. With space for up to four anglers, it's perfect for small groups who want personalized attention and serious fishing. Don't wait—prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak salmon and trout seasons.
Learn more about the species
Brown Trout
Brown trout are the smart ones - they didn't get their reputation as the "professor" for nothing. These golden-brown beauties typically run 8-24 inches in our waters and are known for being extremely wary and hard-fighting once hooked. You'll find them hugging structure like rocky drop-offs, weed lines, and thermal breaks, usually in 30-60 feet of water. Fall is prime time when they're feeding aggressively before winter, though early morning and evening hours produce year-round. What makes browns special is their wariness - landing one feels like you outsmarted a worthy opponent, plus their firm, mild-flavored meat is outstanding eating. These fish have been in the Great Lakes since the 1880s and they've learned every trick in the book. My best advice for browns is to downsize your tackle and slow your presentation - they'll often follow lures for a long time before committing to strike.
Chinook Salmon
Chinook salmon, the kings of Lake Ontario, are what most anglers dream about hooking. These bruisers average 15-20 pounds but can push 30+ pounds, making them the largest salmon in our waters. They're deep-water fish, typically holding 80-150 feet down near bottom structure and thermal layers where they ambush baitfish. Late spring through summer gives you the best shot at a trophy, especially during low-light periods when they move up to feed. What draws people to chinooks is that raw power - they'll strip line and test every knot on your rig. The reddish-pink meat is as good as it gets for table fare. Since chinooks are light-sensitive and prefer staying deep, the key is getting your lures down to their level with downriggers and keeping them in the strike zone with precise speed control around 2.5-3 mph.
Coho Salmon
Coho salmon, also called silvers, are some of the most acrobatic fighters you'll hook in Lake Ontario. These fish typically run 8-12 pounds and are known for their aerial displays once hooked. You'll find them cruising the thermocline, usually 40-80 feet down over deeper structure where baitfish schools gather. Spring through early fall offers the best action, with cohos being particularly aggressive during their spawning runs. What makes them special is that hard-charging fight combined with their bright orange meat that's perfect for the dinner table. When trolling for cohos, I always tell guests to vary their speed - sometimes slowing down to 2.2 mph triggers strikes when they're being finicky. Their silver sides and distinctive black-spotted tail make them easy to identify once you get one boatside.
Lake Trout
Lake trout are the deep-water giants that call Lake Ontario's coldest depths home. These char family members commonly reach 15-40 pounds and prefer the deep basins where water stays cold year-round, often 100+ feet down over rocky structure. Spring right after ice-out and fall offer the best chances when they move shallower, but summer means going deep with downriggers. Lakers are prized for their size and the challenge of fishing deep water - when you hook a big one, it's a long fight bringing them up from the depths. Their light, flaky meat is excellent eating and they're native to the Great Lakes system. The trick with lake trout is fishing slow and deep - use heavy jigs or spoons and work them right on bottom. Don't be afraid to fish 150+ feet down in summer; that's where the big ones live and feed.
Steelhead Trout
Steelhead are the marathon runners of Lake Ontario - these fish will test your drag and your patience with long, powerful runs. Most steelhead we catch range from 24-30 inches and pack serious muscle from their time in open water. They prefer the deeper, colder water columns, often suspended 60-100 feet down near temperature breaks and current edges. Early spring and late fall are prime time when they're moving and feeding heavily. What sets steelhead apart is their stamina - they'll fight right to the net and often make surprise runs just when you think you've got them beat. The meat is excellent eating too, with that distinctive pink color. My go-to tip for steelhead is to keep steady pressure but don't horse them - let your drag do the work and be ready for those sudden direction changes that can snap your line if you're not careful.
About the Bear Craft
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Volvo
Maximum Cruising Speed: 35
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower per Engine: 300
