Do you enjoy brown trout fishing in Lake Ontario? or just trout fishing in general?
Learn why Lake Ontario is a top destination for trophy brown trout in the Northeast!
Understanding Brown Trout in Lake Ontario
Physical Characteristics of Brown Trout
Brown trout in Lake Ontario can reach impressive sizes, often weighing between 5-20 pounds, with some specimens exceeding 30 pounds. Their distinctive spotted patterns, golden-brown bodies, and silvery underbellies make them visually striking fish. Brown trout have been successfully stocked in Lake Ontario since the 1970s, boosting the population that exists today. Their growth rates are influenced by the abundance of baitfish like alewives and smelt, which form a major part of their diet.
Brown trout are also known for their elusive nature. Unlike other trout and salmon species, they prefer to stay closer to the lake bottom, often moving between different water temperatures in search of prey. This makes them a true trophy catch.
Best Times and Seasons for Brown Trout Fishing in Lake Ontario
Spring Brown Trout Fishing
Spring is one of the most exciting times for brown trout fishing in Lake Ontario. As the water warms, brown trout move into shallow areas near the shore, making them more accessible to anglers. Shoreline trolling and casting are effective techniques during this time. The fish are typically feeding on schools of baitfish that gather near river mouths and harbors.
- Prime locations: Oak Orchard River, Niagara River (the bar), Oswego Harbor.
- Best techniques: Trolling with spoons or crankbaits in shallow water (10-20 feet deep).
Summer Brown Trout Fishing
In summer, brown trout move to deeper, cooler waters as the surface temperatures rise. While they can be more challenging to locate, advanced techniques like trolling with downriggers or lead core line can help you reach their preferred depth of 40-80 feet.
- Prime locations: Deepwater areas around Sodus Bay, Fair Haven, and the eastern basin of the lake.
- Best techniques: Deep-water trolling with spoons or plugs at varying depths. Using a downrigger will help you target the specific depth fish are holding, usually within 5 feet of a rocky bottom.
Fall Brown Trout Fishing
As the weather cools in the fall, brown trout begin their annual migration towards tributaries to spawn. This makes shoreline and rivermouth fishing particularly productive. Anglers can take advantage of this predictable behavior by focusing on areas with easy access to rivers and streams. Many anglers prefer to stay in a Lake Ontario State Park while fishing the rivers for a weekend.
- Prime locations: Salmon River, Oak Orchard River, and Oswego River.
- Best techniques: Shoreline casting with float rigs or fly fishing in tributaries. Casting spoons is also effective when staging fish are in the river mouths.
Winter Brown Trout Fishing
Winter fishing for brown trout in Lake Ontario is less common but offers unique challenges for the adventurous angler. Ice fishing can be done in shallow bays, but safety should always be the top priority. Fish are less active in the winter, but they can still be caught using the right techniques and bait.
- Prime locations: Ice-covered areas around Sodus Bay and protected harbors.
- Best techniques: Jigging with live bait or artificial lures beneath the ice.
Top Fishing Techniques for Brown Trout on Lake Ontario
Trolling Techniques
Trolling is the most popular and effective technique for targeting brown trout on Lake Ontario. By using downriggers or lead core line, you can control the depth at which your bait or lure runs, allowing you to fish where the trout are most active. The ideal trolling speed for brown trout typically ranges from 1.8 to 2.5 mph, but this can vary based on conditions. Keep your baits close to the bottom, brown trout live there. When looking for a habitat that might hold brown trout look for rocky, hard bottoms.
- Recommended lures: Spoons (Silver Streak, NK28), crankbaits (Rapala X-Rap, Reef Runner), and plugs.
- Best trolling speeds: 1.8-2.5 mph.
- Gear recommendations: Downriggers, planer boards, and 8-10 ft trolling rods.
Casting and Jigging
Casting and jigging can be highly effective for brown trout, especially during spring and fall when the fish are closer to shore. Shoreline casting with spinners, spoons, or soft plastics can entice hungry brown trout. Jigging is another effective technique, especially when fishing in deeper waters during summer or fall.
- Recommended lures: Jigs, spinners, soft plastics, and spoons.
- Best locations: Shorelines, river mouths, and tributaries during the spring and fall.
Fly Fishing for Brown Trout
Fly fishing is particularly effective in Lake Ontario’s tributaries during the fall spawning season. Brown trout move into rivers and streams, making them accessible to fly anglers. Nymphs, streamers, and egg patterns are the most effective fly patterns for catching brown trout during this time. Flies should be fished in tandem if possible and close to the bottom.
- Recommended flies: Woolly Buggers, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, and egg patterns.
- Best locations: Salmon River, Oswego River, and other tributaries.
Top Locations for Brown Trout Fishing in Lake Ontario
Western Lake Ontario
The western basin of Lake Ontario is a prime location for brown trout, especially near popular harbors and tributaries. The Niagara River, Oak Orchard River, and Wilson Harbor are known for their year-round brown trout populations.
- Hotspots: Niagara River (the bar), Oak Orchard River, Wilson Harbor.
Eastern Lake Ontario
The eastern basin provides excellent deep-water fishing for brown trout during the summer months. Tributaries like the Salmon River and Oswego River are also popular spots in the fall and spring.
- Hotspots: Salmon River, Oswego River, Fair Haven, Sodus Bay.
Central Lake Ontario
The central basin of the lake is home to some of the best brown trout fishing locations, with easy access to both shoreline and deeper waters.
- Hotspots: Sodus Bay, Fair Haven, Sandy Creek.
| Location | Best Time of Year | Best Technique |
|---|---|---|
| Niagara River | Spring, Fall | Shoreline casting, trolling |
| Oak Orchard River | Spring, Fall | Trolling, fly fishing |
| Salmon River | Fall, Spring | Fly fishing, shore casting |
| Oswego River | Spring, Fall | Trolling, fly fishing |
| Sodus Bay | Summer, Winter | Deep trolling, ice fishing |
Best Bait and Lures for Brown Trout in Lake Ontario
Live Bait vs. Artificial Lures
Live bait such as minnows, smelt, and nightcrawlers are highly effective for brown trout. However, artificial lures like spoons and crankbaits can also be just as successful. When fishing for brown trout, it’s important to match the hatch and use lures or bait that resemble the local forage.
- Best live bait: Smelt, minnows, nightcrawlers.
- Top artificial lures: Silver and blue spoons, chartreuse crankbaits.
Top Colors and Patterns for Lures
The color of your lure can make all the difference when targeting brown trout. In murky water, bright colors like chartreuse or orange are effective, while in clearer water, silver and blue tend to work best.
- Recommended colors: Chartreuse, silver, blue, orange.
- Seasonal recommendations: Brighter colors for spring, and natural patterns for summer.
Conservation and the Future of Brown Trout in Lake Ontario
Brown trout populations in Lake Ontario are sustained through a combination of stocking programs and natural reproduction. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) stocks millions of brown trout each year, ensuring a healthy fishery for future generations.
However, some challenges threaten the brown trout population, including invasive species and environmental changes. Anglers are encouraged to practice catch-and-release fishing whenever possible to help maintain the population.
How Anglers Can Help
- Follow size and bag limits.
- Use proper catch-and-release techniques to reduce fish mortality.
- Support conservation efforts and report invasive species sightings.
Conclusion
Brown trout fishing in Lake Ontario offers something for every angler. With its year-round opportunities. Whether you are in a boat or fishing from shore, there will always be brown trout to catch during a specific season. Hopefully, this article gave you a better understanding of the fish and how to catch them.