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Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes that provide a border between Canada and United States. It is the 14th largest lake in the world. Lake Ontario is 193 miles long and 53 miles wide, with 726 miles of shoreline. Its average depth is 283 feet, and its maximum depth is over 800 feet. The main inlet is the Niagara River which is the outlet for Lake Erie. The only outlet for Lake Ontario is the St. Lawrence River that leads to the Atlantic Ocean.
Chinook salmon are commonly called kings. They are not a native species to NY waters. Most all king salmon caught in NY are from the waters of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.The king salmon in Lake Ontario are raised at the Salmon River Hatchery, located in the Village of Altmar in Oswego County. It is here that the DEC will collect the eggs of the migrating Chinook Salmon. The Salmon River Hatchery produces about four million trout and salmon each year.
Chinook salmon spend most of their time in deep open water. They feed on the vast schools of alewives and smelt found in Lake Ontario. A mature salmon will be 3 to 5 years old. Not all fish will mature at the same age. A fish pushing 40 pounds is probably a 4 year old fish.
Fishing for king salmon in Lake Ontario is done by trolling spoons and plugs on downriggers from 50 to 120 feet deep. Dipsey divers can also be used to catch salmon when they are active. Near the end of the summer the fish will respond well to cut bait run behind a flasher.
Lake Ontario has many Charter Boats available to let you enjoy a wonderful day of fishing on Lake Ontario. Most charters target trout and salmon. Some charters also fish for smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, and muskellunge. Charters range in price and duration most offer half and full days fishing with prices ranging from $300 to $600 depending on the species you are fishing for and the number of passengers that will be onboard.
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