Lake Ontario Fishing Charters

Fishing Charters on Lake Ontario in Western New York are unique because we simply don't freeze over. This allows us an opportunity to target both warm and cold water species all year long and in some cases on the same day.  This give us the ability to target fish in a variety of different ways such as drifting, trolling, casting and jigging. The Niagara River current flows north right to the mouth of Lake Ontario keeping our shores for the most part ice free, However in March and early April floating ice is there but as an experienced captain I'm still able to navigate those waters and be pretty productive.  For more information on what type of fish we target visit our Fish Species page.

 Another unique characteristic of our region of Lake Ontario is the Niagara Bar Drop Off, This is one of the largest sand bars in the great lakes and stretches for miles both East and West as well as North. The topography of this sand bar is a natural safe haven for all different types of fish, finding an abundance of food, current breaks and highly oxygenated water. Contact Captain Joe Srouji to find out more information on how to book your fishing charter on Lake Ontario.

Vertical jigging is my absolute favorite way to fish for Walleye but we can troll and drift for them as well in both cold and warm seasons. The current on the Niagara River at the mouth of Lake Ontario works as mother natures trolling motor. It moves us along to cover as much water as we want while using a bow mounted electric motor to slow us down or in some cases speed us up. Walleye season is open on Lake Ontario in our region from May 1st to January. January through Middle of March daily allowance drops to 1 fish per angler. Middle of March to 1st of May seasons closed. 

Salmon fishing on Lake Ontario is nothing shy of incredible especially for down rigging and off shore boats. I offer a slightly different approach to catch these fish. Long line trolling on light tackle and vertical jigging the Niagara Bar drop off winter through spring depending on water temperature. Spring being the best time in my opinion to target both Chinook and Coho Salmon because you are not targeting spawn to post spawn fish. these are silver rockets read to peel line all on light tackle.

Trout fishing in Lake Ontario is best from November to beginning of May for shallow water light tackle fishing depending on water temperature. Steelhead, Brown Trout and Lake Trout can all be found at the river mouth in Lake Ontario. Drifting live bait, Trolling Plugs and vertical jigging are all great ways to target shallow water giants before the slip into deeper water for the summer.

Certain times of the year offer us a chance to catch trophy size Smallmouth Bass in shallow water. Casting soft plastics, stick baits and crank baits in the Spring time in waters ranging from 6 to 15 feet in depth can be very productive for big bass. This period is catch and release only and artificial lures only. Aggressive bass can be found along the Niagara Bar. As we get closer to fall casting plastics on a slow retrieve can yield giant Bass hook ups early morning and late evening.