Lake Ontario Salmon Fishing Tips

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Lake Ontario runs 7,540 square miles and offers angling opportunities for several salmon species. Made up of a stretch of water that spans the border between Canada and the United States, Lake Ontario is the 14th largest lake in the world. Waters including Lake Erie via Niagara River feed the lake. Its boundary ends on the northeast side of the border, near the St. Lawrence River.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Fishing reel
Fishing line
Lures
Hooks

Step 1

Decide which salmon species you want to catch. Lake Ontario is stocked with Steelhead salmon, Coho salmon, and Chinook salmon. Chinook and Coho salmon typically average between 20 to 30 pounds, whereas Pink salmon typically weigh between 8 to 10 pounds.

Step 2

Rig a medium- to heavy-action baitcaster reel with 30-lb. braided test line. Tie on a spinner or use a barbless hook rigged with herring, anchovy, prawns and shrimp.

Step 3

Go salmon fishing during the summer when salmon appear in Lake Ontario's Mexico Bay. Salmon migrate to Mexico Bay to feed on alewives, according to the Lake Ontario Cottage website. The Salmon River area is another hot spot for salmon fishing in the summer.

Fish at the mouth of Salmon River until mid afternoon, then head over to Sandy Pond until sunset. Return to the mouth of the Salmon River for night fishing.

Step 4

Fish deeper waters when the temperatures drop. Cast your line into the deeper water--at least 120 feet deep--when fishing for Chinook and Coho salmon toward the end of the summer. When salmon fishing during fall and winter, stay just off the mouth of tributaries.

Step 5

Cast your line near covers, weedy bottoms and rock beds, where salmon hide waiting to strike a smaller fish.

Article Written By Charlie Gaston

Charlie Gaston has written numerous instructional articles on topics ranging from business to communications and estate planning. Gaston holds a bachelor's degree in international business and a master's degree in communications. She is fluent in Spanish and has extensive travel experience.

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