Lake Ontario offers exceptional fishing for species such as trout, steelhead, smallmouth bass, and salmon. While May through September are the prime months for angling success, winter also offers viable options. The lake, spanning 7,340 square miles, reaches depths of up to 800 feet and does not freeze during winter.
As the waters of Lake Ontario grow progressively colder, salmon and the resident brown, coho, rainbow, and lake trout tend to swim to warmer water close to the shore. This puts the fish, often of impressive size, within casting distance of lakeside docks, piers, and beaches.
Typically, winter fishing involves using longer rods combined with spinning tackle. Many anglers select spoons as lures, as they cast well and flash in the water when hit by the sun, attracting attention. Minnows with weights can also be cast a good distance from the shore or pier.
In late afternoon and evening, a float on the surface, rigged with a night crawler hanging four feet below, is a proven method. Because trout tend to avoid hooks and sinkers, pair the smallest possible sinker with a small hook. Be prepared to patiently reel the trout in, as they have soft mouths that the small hooks can tear out of if the line is yanked.
As the waters of Lake Ontario grow progressively colder, salmon and the resident brown, coho, rainbow, and lake trout tend to swim to warmer water close to the shore. This puts the fish, often of impressive size, within casting distance of lakeside docks, piers, and beaches.
Typically, winter fishing involves using longer rods combined with spinning tackle. Many anglers select spoons as lures, as they cast well and flash in the water when hit by the sun, attracting attention. Minnows with weights can also be cast a good distance from the shore or pier.
In late afternoon and evening, a float on the surface, rigged with a night crawler hanging four feet below, is a proven method. Because trout tend to avoid hooks and sinkers, pair the smallest possible sinker with a small hook. Be prepared to patiently reel the trout in, as they have soft mouths that the small hooks can tear out of if the line is yanked.
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