Lake Ontario Salmon Fishing Tips

Species

Lake Ontario contains four distinct species of salmon: the Chinook or Pacific salmon, the Coho salmon and the pink salmon. Chinook salmon can reach weights of more than 100 pounds in saltwater but generally do not exceed 50 in freshwater. They have distinctive blue-green markings on the top and back of the head, with a silvery body and a black spot on the tail. The smaller Coho salmon, or silver salmon, is identified by its silvery-pink bodily tone and rarely exceeds 30 pounds. Pink salmon are smaller still, rarely exceeding 10 pounds, and are identified by a pink lower half and a green upper half with black spots.

Locations

Due to the massive size of Lake Ontario, salmon tend to cluster together in specific areas that offer distinctive cover features. General features that attract Lake Ontario salmon include rocky reefs and easy access to tributary streams or rivers. Salmon return to tributary streams to spawn during the fall and tend to cluster in deeper tributary pools with running water during this time. Some specific locations that have produced excellent salmon in the past include the Salmon River, the mouth of the Salmon River, Mexico Bay, Nine Mile Point and Henderson Harbor

Tackle

Select medium-heavy to ultra-heavy baitcasing gear when fishing for salmon. Opt for braided line of at least 30-pound test to prevent line stretching and breakage. If trolling, use colored line with a lead core to achieve optimal depth. Salmon are often taken on Lake Ontario using spoons, crankbaits or spinners. Spoons are large, flat pieces of hammered metal that shimmer in the water, resembling a fish in distress. Crankbaits are wooden or plastic lures with a diving lip that is designed to resemble preyfish. Spinners are elongated lures with a hook at the end and one or more spinning blades at the front, often featuring fur or tinsel to disguise the hook.