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Relaxed Midday Lake Ontario Fishing Trip
Lake Ontario, NYWhat you will be catching:
Atlantic Salmon
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
Lake Trout
Steelhead Trout
- Family-friendly late-morning fishing excursion on Lake Ontario
- Deep-water trolling targeting salmon and trout species
- Complete equipment, expert guidance, and fish filleting included
Trip Pricing and Availabilities:
Relaxed Midday Lake Ontario Fishing Trip
Captain Forrest knows exactly where Lake Ontario's big salmon and trout hide when the sun climbs high. This top-rated midday fishing charter from Bear Craft Fishing Science LLC takes the pressure off early morning wake-up calls while delivering serious fish action. Perfect for families with kids, casual anglers, or anyone wanting to enjoy Lake Ontario's legendary fishing without the crack-of-dawn departure times. You'll spend your morning on a spacious, comfortable boat while the captain uses cutting-edge sonar and downriggers to put your lines right where the fish are feeding in the cool depths.
What to Expect on the Water
This isn't your typical sunrise fishing grind. By launching later in the morning, you get to sleep in and still experience some of the best salmon and trout fishing Lake Ontario has to offer. As the surface water warms up, smart predators like Chinook salmon and steelhead drop down to the thermocline where the water stays cold and oxygen-rich. Captain Forrest has been working these waters for years and knows exactly how to read the fish finder to locate these productive zones. The boat's wide deck gives everyone plenty of room to move around, and when someone hooks up, there's space for the whole group to watch the action unfold. Kids love seeing the downrigger balls come up first, followed by whatever's been chasing your lure in the deep water. Everything wraps up with complimentary fish cleaning right at the dock, so you head home with fresh fillets ready for dinner.
Downrigger Trolling Tactics
Lake Ontario fishing is all about precision depth control, and that's where downriggers shine. These specialized reels let Captain Forrest drop heavy weights down 40, 60, even 80 feet while keeping your lures swimming at exactly the right level. The boat's sonar constantly shows water temperature breaks and baitfish schools, so the captain adjusts your spread throughout the trip to stay on the fish. You'll run a mix of spoons, plugs, and flasher-fly combinations that have proven deadly on Lake Ontario's salmon and trout. The downrigger clips hold your line until a fish strikes, then release so you're fighting the fish directly without any extra weight. It's a system that lets even first-time anglers land trophy-sized salmon, and experienced fishermen appreciate how it puts lures exactly where they need to be in this massive lake's complex water column.
Target Species
Atlantic Salmon are the crown jewel of Lake Ontario, and these acrobatic fighters put on a show when hooked. Averaging 8-12 pounds with some reaching 15-20 pounds, Atlantics are known for their spectacular jumps and long runs. They prefer cooler water temperatures around 50-55 degrees and are most active during spring and fall months. What makes catching an Atlantic salmon special is their incredible stamina - they'll strip line off your reel multiple times before coming to the net, giving everyone on board an exciting show.
Coho Salmon, also called silver salmon, are pure energy when they hit your lure. These chrome-bright fish typically range from 5-10 pounds and are famous for their aerial displays once hooked. Cohos love to feed in the top 40 feet of water during cooler parts of the day, making them perfect targets for this midday approach as they follow baitfish to deeper water. Their aggressive nature means they often hit lures hard and fast, giving anglers that heart-stopping moment when the downrigger releases and the rod bends deep.
Steelhead Trout are Lake Ontario legends, known for their incredible fighting ability and beautiful rainbow colors. These fish can range from 6-15 pounds, with some true giants pushing 20 pounds or more. Steelhead are opportunistic feeders that will chase lures from shallow water down to 100 feet deep, depending on where they find the most comfortable water temperature. What sets steelhead apart is their endurance - they'll make long, powerful runs that test your drag system and keep you guessing which direction they'll head next.
Chinook Salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario, with mature fish commonly weighing 15-25 pounds and some monsters exceeding 30 pounds. These king salmon prefer deep, cold water and are often found near the thermocline where water temperatures drop rapidly. Chinooks are known for their power rather than acrobatics - when you hook into a big king, expect a sustained battle of strength as they use their bulk and the deep water to their advantage. Landing a trophy Chinook is a bucket-list experience that creates lasting memories for the whole family.
Lake Trout are the deep-water specialists of Lake Ontario, often found in water 60-120 feet deep where they cruise along the thermocline hunting for food. These native fish can live for decades and grow quite large, with catches ranging from 8-20 pounds being common. Lakers have a different fighting style than salmon - they tend to make deep, powerful runs straight down rather than jumping or making surface runs. Their prehistoric appearance and mottled coloration make them fascinating catches, especially for anglers who have never seen one of these deep-water natives up close.
Time to Book Your Spot
This customer-favorite Lake Ontario fishing experience combines convenience with results, making it perfect for families, groups of friends, or anyone wanting to try their hand at world-class Great Lakes fishing. With only four spots available per trip, you get personalized attention from Captain Forrest while enjoying plenty of space to relax and take in the stunning Lake Ontario scenery. The midday schedule means no rushed mornings, the included fish cleaning saves you time and mess, and the proven downrigger techniques put you on fish even when they're holding in deep water. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, this charter offers the perfect blend of fishing action and laid-back enjoyment that keeps guests coming back season after season.
Learn more about the animals
Atlantic Salmon
These silver beauties run 28-30 inches and pack 8-12 pounds of pure muscle. Out here on Lake Ontario, we find them cruising the deeper, cooler water columns where our downriggers really shine. Unlike their Pacific cousins, Atlantics can spawn multiple times, making them smart, wary fighters. They prefer those 50-65 degree zones we hit with our sonar, especially when the surface warms up midday. What makes them special is that legendary leap and sustained run once hooked - guests love the challenge. The meat is top-shelf too, with that rich orange color. Here's the thing most folks don't know: keep your drag smooth but not too tight. These fish have soft mouths, and they'll throw the hook if you horse them. Let them run and tire themselves out.
Chinook Salmon
Kings are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario - we're talking 12-39 inches and 15-30 pounds of serious fish. They stick to the deepest, coldest water we can find, often 80-150 feet down where our downrigger setup really pays off. Being light-sensitive, they stay deep during bright midday conditions, which works perfect for our trolling approach. Early morning and evening bites can be epic when they move up a bit. What guests love is the sheer power - these fish make long, bulldozing runs that'll make your reel scream. The meat is top-tier with that rich red color. Here's something most people miss: kings have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure but don't yank on them. Use a good net and let us handle the landing - these big fish can throw hooks easily if you rush it.
Coho Salmon
Cohos are the acrobats of Lake Ontario - 12-30 inches of pure energy that'll jump six feet straight up when hooked. We call them "silver salmon" for good reason, with those bright sides and dark spotted backs. They love hanging in those mid-depth thermoclines around 40-80 feet down, right where our trolling setup works best. Spring through fall gives us solid action, but they really turn on when the water cools. What gets people hooked is that aerial show - cohos fight dirty with jumps, runs, and head shakes that keep you guessing. The meat's fantastic too, bright orange and flaky. Pro tip: when you feel that first jump coming, bow your rod tip toward the fish. Gives them slack for the jump so they can't use their weight to snap your line.
Lake Trout
Lakers are the deep-water giants here - typically 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds of cold-water power. They live in the deepest, coldest parts of Lake Ontario year-round, often 100+ feet down where our sonar and downriggers are essential. Unlike salmon, these are true lake residents that prefer those frigid depths. Overcast days and low-light conditions bring out the best action since they avoid bright sunlight. What makes them special is their size potential and that bulldogging fight - no flashy jumps, just pure strength pulling toward the bottom. The meat is mild and flaky when handled right. Since they come up from serious depth, watch for barotrauma - bloated belly means pressure change. Here's the key: use a steady, slow retrieve when jigging and don't rush the fight. These old fish are smart and strong.
Steelhead Trout
Steelhead are basically rainbow trout that lived the high life in deep water - same species, but these silver rockets average 24 inches and fight like they're twice that size. They cruise those cold, oxygen-rich depths we target with downriggers, usually 60-120 feet down depending on season. Fall through spring gives us the best shots when they're most active. What makes steelhead special is that they're built for speed and endurance - long runs that'll test your drag and sudden direction changes that keep you honest. The meat is excellent, cleaner-tasting than their landlocked rainbow cousins. These fish are light-sensitive, so overcast days often produce better. Quick tip: when fighting one, keep steady pressure but don't try to muscle them in. Let the fish tire itself out against a smooth drag.
About the Bear Craft
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Mercury
Maximum Cruising Speed: 35
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower per Engine: 300
