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Diamond J Charters Lake Ontario Salmon Fishing
Lake OntarioWhat you will be catching:
Brown Trout
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
Lake Trout
Steelhead Trout
- Full-day Lake Ontario charter targeting five premium fish species
- Professional tackle, bait, and fish processing services included
- Expert captain guidance for novice and experienced anglers alike
Trip Pricing and Availabilities:
Full Day Lake Ontario Salmon & Trout Charter
Picture yourself battling a chrome-bright King Salmon in the deep waters of Lake Ontario while the morning mist rises off Sodus Bay. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to experience some of the finest freshwater salmon and trout fishing on the East Coast. Diamond J Charters has been putting anglers on fish in these waters for years, and this full-day adventure gives your group of three the best shot at landing the fish of a lifetime. We're talking eight solid hours of trolling the productive waters off Sodus Point, where the thermocline holds massive schools of salmon and trout throughout the season.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day starts early at Sodus Point, one of Lake Ontario's premier fishing harbors. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand – every temperature break, every structure, every spot where the baitfish stack up thick. You'll be running top-shelf tackle and proven techniques that have been putting fish in the box for decades. The boat's equipped with downriggers, planer boards, and all the gear you need to cover water effectively. Don't worry about bringing your own rods – everything's included, from the heavy trolling setups to the landing nets. The real beauty of this charter is that it's designed for three people, so you're not fighting for rod time or space at the transom. Everyone gets plenty of action, and the captain can give each angler the attention they deserve. Weather permitting, you'll cover miles of prime fishing water, adjusting depth and speed as conditions change throughout the day.
Trolling Tactics & Gear
Lake Ontario trolling is an art form, and you'll be learning from someone who's mastered it. We're running multiple lines at different depths using downriggers and planer boards to spread out the presentation. Spoons, plugs, and flies all have their place depending on what the fish are telling us. The key is reading the electronics – finding those temperature breaks where the cold, oxygen-rich water meets the warmer surface layer. That's where the salmon and trout cruise, looking for easy meals. You'll be running anywhere from 20 to 200 feet down, sometimes deeper if that's where the action is. The boat's fish finder and GPS units help pinpoint schools of baitfish, and where there's bait, there are predators. Speed control is everything – too fast and you'll blow by the fish, too slow and your lures won't have the right action. The captain adjusts constantly, watching the sonar and temperature readings to stay in the strike zone. When a fish hits, you'll know it – downrigger rods slam down hard, and planer boards dive or kick out to the side.
Top Catches This Season
King Salmon are the crown jewels of Lake Ontario, and for good reason. These Pacific natives have adapted beautifully to the Great Lakes, growing fat on alewives and smelt. Spring and fall are prime time, when Kings move closer to shore and feed aggressively before spawning runs. A mature King can easily top 20 pounds, with some monsters pushing 30 or more. They're bulldogs when hooked – long, screaming runs followed by deep, stubborn fights that test your endurance and the drag system. Coho Salmon might be smaller than their King cousins, but they make up for it with aerial acrobatics that'll leave you breathless. These silver rockets love to jump, and they'll test every knot and connection on their way to the boat. Cohos are typically more abundant than Kings and provide consistent action throughout the summer months. Steelhead Trout are perhaps the most prized catch for serious anglers – these lake-run rainbows are absolute warriors that combine the jumping ability of Cohos with the stamina of Kings. They're available year-round but peak in spring and fall when water temperatures are ideal. Brown Trout are the wildcards of Lake Ontario, often hugging structure and showing up when you least expect them. These golden-sided beauties are notorious for their wariness and explosive strikes. Lake Trout round out the slam – these native char prefer the deepest, coldest water and provide steady action when salmon fishing slows down.
Time to Book Your Spot
This full-day charter gives you the best possible shot at world-class salmon and trout fishing without the crowds you'd find on party boats. Eight hours on the water means you can ride out slow periods and capitalize when the bite turns on. The fish cleaning and packing service saves you the mess and hassle – just bring that big cooler and we'll send you home with professionally filleted fish ready for the freezer. Remember to grab your New York fishing license ahead of time, and don't forget those non-marking shoes and sun protection. If you're prone to seasickness, start taking your medication 24 hours before the trip. Lake Ontario can get lumpy, but the fish don't seem to mind – some of the best fishing happens when there's a little chop on the water. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned angler looking to experience Great Lakes fishing at its finest, this charter delivers the goods. The captain's there to put you on fish and help you land them, so all you need to worry about is enjoying one of the best fishing experiences on the East Coast.
Learn more about the species
Brown Trout
Brown trout are the smart ones - they've got a reputation for being cautious, which makes landing a big one extra satisfying. These golden-brown beauties with black spots average 8-24 inches in our waters, but the lake-run browns can push much larger. They love structure like drop-offs and rocky areas, often holding deeper during bright days. Fall fishing can be outstanding when they feed aggressively before spawning season. What makes browns special is they're both beautiful and delicious - that firm, mild-flavored meat is hard to beat. They'll hit spoons, stick baits, and live bait, but they can be finicky about presentation. Unlike other trout, browns are more nocturnal feeders. My advice: fish them low and slow, especially around dawn and dusk when they're most active. Patience pays off with these fish.
Chinook Salmon
King salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario, and when you hook into a 20-30 pounder, you'll know it. These thick-bodied fish average 12-39 inches but the real trophies push well beyond that. Their blue-green backs and silver sides are covered in black spots, including a distinctive black mouth that gives them away. Kings prefer deeper, cooler water and are light-sensitive, so we often fish them early morning or evening when they move up in the water column. The fight is more bulldogging than jumping - pure strength that'll make your arms burn. That reddish-pink meat is as good as it gets for the dinner table. We run downriggers and lead core to get lures down to where they're holding. Pro tip: when trolling for kings, don't set the hook hard - let the fish hook themselves and keep steady pressure throughout the fight.
Coho Salmon
Coho salmon, also called silver salmon, are one of the most acrobatic fighters you'll hook on Lake Ontario. These beauties average 8-12 pounds and run 12-30 inches, with their distinctive silver sides and dark blue-green backs spotted with black. What makes coho special is their jumping ability - they can leap six feet vertically when hooked, putting on quite a show. We typically find them in mid-depth waters during spring and fall runs, when they're most aggressive. The bright orange-red meat is outstanding on the table, making them a favorite with families. They hit hard on spoons and plugs, especially bright colors like chartreuse and pink. Here's a tip: when you feel that first jump coming, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - let them run and tire themselves out on those aerial displays.
Lake Trout
Lake trout are the deep-water specialists of the char family, and they get big - averaging 24-36 inches with 15-40 pound fish common in our waters. These grey-green fish with cream-colored spots prefer the coldest, deepest parts of Lake Ontario, often suspended over the basin in 100+ feet of water. Spring right after ice-out is prime time when they move shallow, but summer finds them deep where the water stays cold. What draws people to lakers is the sheer size potential and their steady, powerful fight. They're not jumpers like salmon, but they'll use that deep water to their advantage. The meat is excellent when properly prepared. We typically jig for them with heavy spoons or troll deep with downriggers. Here's the key: fish slow and deep, and when you hook one, be patient - they use their weight and the depth to tire you out.
Steelhead Trout
Steelhead are basically rainbow trout that have lived the lake life, growing bigger and stronger than their stream cousins. These silver bullets average 24 inches but can stretch to 45 inches, putting up some of the hardest fights in the Great Lakes. Unlike other trout, steelhead are built for speed with their streamlined bodies and that characteristic pinkish stripe. We target them year-round, but fall through spring gives you the best action when they're feeding heavily. They cruise mid-depths and will hit everything from spoons to stick baits. What guests love most is the raw power - steelhead make long, blistering runs that'll test your drag system. The key to landing these fish is keeping your rod tip up and letting them fight against the bend, not the reel. Fresh steelhead from cold water make excellent table fare too.
About the Diamond J
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Chevrolet 454
Maximum Cruising Speed: 30
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower per Engine: 250
