Lake Ontario and Salmon River Guide

Our Guide Service will provide a 6-8 hr guided fishing trip. Either wading, drift boats or charter packages are available. Whether we wade, float, or troll all rods, reels, and tackle are provided. You will learn how to ethically fish for and fight trophy species of Lake Ontario and her mighty tributaries.

Salmon
The Salmon River is known as the Salmon Capitol of the East. It offers world class fishing to any and all who wish to try their luck. Every fall thousands and thousands of King and Coho Salmon begin their annual spawning run into Lake Ontario tributaries. The Salmon River has a fish hatchery which ensures good numbers of returning fish year after year. Also, recent years have shown that in the Salmon River and its tributaries, natural reproduction has seen some success.

The fish that return to the Salmon River in the fall will vary in species, numbers and size. The most abundant fish to return to the Salmon River is the King Salmon. Also known as a Chinook Salmon, not only is it the most abundant it is also the biggest fish to run the river. King Salmon from the Salmon River have been known to top the scales at over 40 lbs with many fish in the 20-30 lb range. Along with the big fish there will be some 1 year old fish called jacks. These fish rarely weigh over 10-12 lbs.

Coho Salmon are less in numbers and in size. The record Coho was caught in the lake near Oswego and weighed over 33lbs. What they lack in size they make up for in fight. Also in the fall, good numbers of Steelhead and Brown Trout enter the river. The Brown Trout are fall spawners. They enter the river to eat the eggs of the spawning salmon and steelhead. Trout of over 22 lbs have been taken during the Salmon run.


Steelhead
At the end of October and early November the Steelhead Trout becomes the target for Salmon River anglers. Steelhead will start to run into the Salmon River shortly after the beginning of the spawning runs of the King and Coho Salmon. Their primary focus is to eat salmon eggs. Steelhead will continue to enter the river throughout the winter months as they ready themselves for their spawning season in the spring.


Brown Trout
In the spring, Brown Trout are cruising the shoreline of Lake Ontario, feeding heavily on bait fish. This gives us prime opportunity to catch them close to shore, as the bait is looking for warming waters. The state record for Brown trout was caught mid-spring trolling bait sticks close to shore and weighed in at over 30 pounds. As the water warms into summer we move off shore using downriggers to get to the colder and deeper waters where the Browns are hovering around the thermocline.


Walleyes
The eastern basin of Lake Ontario is loaded with huge Walleyes. From Oswego Harbor to Black River Bay, there are many miles of trollable shoreline to catch these fish. The fish enter late March to early April. Walleye season is closed then to protect the futures young. The first Saturday in May is the seasons opener. By this time the fish will have moved back into the mouths and inlets they originated from. Post-spawn Walleye are very hungry and therefore trolling tactics are very effective. We mainly troll at night when the Walleye's are feeding the heaviest. These fish are true trophy size and average 10 pounds. It is not uncommon to catch trophy 12-13 pound walleye. Check out some of these pictures from Shane's drift boat with bundy Walleyes.

Lake Ontario and Salmon River Guide - Fish for trophy Salmon, Steelhead, Walleye and Brown Trout on one of the worlds finest fisheries- The Salmon River, Pulaski NY.

I have been fishing the Salmon River in Pulaski, NY for over twenty years. I have learned what it takes to catch trophy Salmon, Steelhead, and Brown Trout, Walleyes, Pike and Bass. My guide service runs all year. I target all the tributaries of Lake Ontario, including the Salmon and Oswego rivers for the best fishing in every season.

I use only top quality equipment such as Cortland rods and reels and a 17 foot Fish Rite aluminum drift boat. A variety of techniques are used including fly rodding for Salmon, and plugging and drift fishing for Steelhead and Brown Trout. We also fish fresh spawn sacks all winter with light action 10-11 foot noodle rods on the Salmon River.

What you need to bring:
When fishing the Salmon or Oswego Rivers you will need to have a valid NYS fishing license, weather appropriate clothing, a cooler (if you want to bring home your catch), and of course your camera. The weather here in Pulaski is quite variable and remember it is usually colder on the water! WADERS are not necessarily required on trips.

King Salmon and Coho Salmon : Aug- Nov
Steelhead Trout : Oct- June
Brown Trout : Nov- May
Walleye/Pike : May - July
Bass : June - Aug

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John Openshaw ~ President, WadersOn.com