Every Boat Ramp on Lake Ontario

About Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes by surface area but one of the most productive fisheries in North America. New York's 300-mile shoreline along its southern and eastern edges provides access to world-class fishing for salmon, trout, and a host of other species. The lake's maximum depth of 802 feet and massive volume of cold, well-oxygenated water create ideal conditions for the salmonid species that have made it famous.

The salmon and trout fishing on Lake Ontario is nothing short of spectacular. Chinook salmon, commonly called king salmon, run 15 to 30 pounds with fish over 40 pounds caught each season. Coho salmon, steelhead rainbow trout, and brown trout add diversity to the catch, with each species peaking at different times from spring through fall. The tributaries that feed the lake, including the Salmon River and Sandy Creek, draw massive runs of spawning fish that create legendary stream fishing opportunities. Smallmouth bass and walleye provide outstanding warm-water fishing in the bays and along the shoreline.

Key fishing ports are distributed along the entire New York shoreline, each offering unique advantages. Oswego and the Salmon River area are ground zero for the fall salmon run. Henderson Harbor and the eastern basin produce trophy walleye and bass. Rochester and Sodus Point are premier launch points for summer trolling. The ports of Olcott and Wilson in the west provide access to productive brown trout and salmon waters near the Niagara River. Charter fishing operations run from every major port, making this world-class fishery accessible to anglers of all experience levels.

Nearest towns: Rochester, Oswego, Sodus Point, Henderson Harbor, Cape Vincent, Olcott