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Evening Salmon Fishing Charter Lake Ontario Kent
- Published Date: January 5, 2026
- Fishing
- Lake Ontario
- $500 - $950 price range
Summary
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Lake Ontario Action
Half Day Evening Salmon and Trout Fishing Trip
There's something special about hitting Lake Ontario in the evening when the light starts to fade and the fish get active. Captain Thomas Riley knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why this stretch of the lake near Kent produces some of the best salmon and trout fishing in New York. You'll spend four solid hours aboard the Shenanigans working the productive zones where Chinook salmon, brown trout, lake trout, and steelhead hang out. This isn't some cookie-cutter charter – it's a hands-on fishing adventure where you'll learn the ropes and hopefully land some serious fish. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first big lake experience or you're looking to add some variety to your angling game, this evening trip delivers the goods.
What to Expect on the Water
You'll meet Captain Riley at Ernst's Lake Breeze Marina, a well-known launching point that puts you right in the heart of Lake Ontario's prime fishing grounds. The Shenanigans is set up to handle up to six passengers comfortably, though this particular trip caps at four to give everyone plenty of elbow room and personalized attention. Riley provides all the gear you need – quality rods, reels, tackle, and everything else required to get into fish. Don't worry about bringing a cooler full of snacks since this is focused fishing time, but definitely pack some water and maybe a light jacket since evenings on the lake can get breezy. You'll need that New York state fishing license sorted out beforehand, but once that's handled, you're good to go. The captain runs a relaxed boat where beginners feel comfortable asking questions and experienced anglers can fine-tune their techniques.
Trolling Tactics & Prime Zones
Evening fishing on Lake Ontario is all about trolling, and Riley has this method dialed in perfectly. You'll be running a spread of downriggers and planer boards to cover different depths and zones where salmon and trout cruise. The boat moves at a steady pace while multiple lines work the water column from near the surface down to 50 feet or more, depending on where the fish are marking on the electronics. Spoons, flashers with flies, and plugs make up the arsenal, with colors and sizes adjusted based on current conditions and what the fish are showing interest in. The thermal layers in Lake Ontario create distinct temperature breaks where baitfish concentrate, and that's where predators like salmon and trout set up to feed. Riley reads the water temperature, watches the fish finder, and positions the boat to maximize your chances. You'll learn how to work the rods when fish hit, how to play big lake trout that want to dive deep, and the proper technique for netting these powerful fish.
Top Catches This Season
Chinook salmon are the heavyweight champions of this fishery, with mature fish pushing 20 to 30 pounds during peak season. These Pacific salmon were introduced to Lake Ontario decades ago and have developed into a world-class sport fishery. Spring through fall offers the best action, with evening hours particularly productive as chinooks move shallow to chase baitfish. When you hook a big king, expect a serious fight with long runs and powerful head shakes that'll test your drag and your arms. Brown trout represent the technical side of this fishery, often the most selective feeders but absolutely beautiful fish with golden sides and distinctive spots. They range from scrappy 3-pounders up to trophy fish over 15 pounds, and they're notorious for making last-second runs right at the boat. Lake trout are the natives here, perfectly adapted to the deep, cold waters of Ontario. These fish can live for decades and grow to impressive sizes, with their mottled green coloration and forked tails making them easy to identify. Steelhead bring pure athleticism to the mix – these are rainbow trout that spend most of their time in the open lake but maintain their jumping ability and speed. A 10-pound steelhead will give you a fight you won't forget, with aerial displays and searing runs that showcase why these fish have such a devoted following among Great Lakes anglers.
Time to Book Your Spot
This evening salmon and trout trip with Captain Riley offers everything you want in a Lake Ontario fishing experience – expert guidance, top-quality gear, productive fishing zones, and the chance to tangle with some seriously impressive fish. The four-hour timeframe lets you experience prime evening fishing without eating up your whole day, and the small group size means you get personalized instruction and plenty of rod time. Whether you're looking to introduce family members to big lake fishing or you want to add salmon and trout to your angling resume, this trip delivers real value. The combination of Riley's local knowledge, the Shenanigans' fishing setup, and Lake Ontario's diverse fishery creates opportunities for action and learning that you'll remember long after you head back to the dock. Don't wait too long to secure your spot – evening trips book up fast during peak season, and you don't want to miss out on what could be your best fishing trip of the year.
Learn more about the species
Brown Trout
Browns are the smart guys of the trout world - they're cautious, crafty, and absolutely beautiful with their golden-brown sides and black spots. Most run 8-24 inches, but Ontario holds some real heavyweights that'll surprise you. These fish love structure like rocky points, drop-offs, and anywhere they can ambush prey in 20-60 feet of water. Fall is prime time when they feed aggressively before winter, though they bite year-round if you know where to look. What makes browns special is they're both challenging and delicious - the fight is strong but controlled, and the meat has a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. They can be moody, but that just makes landing one more satisfying. Pro tip: browns often follow the thermal layer, so fish just above the temperature break. Use natural-colored spoons or stick baits, and don't be afraid to slow your trolling speed down.
Chinook Salmon
King salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario - we're talking 15-30 pound fish that'll give you a workout. These silver bullets with black spotted backs prefer the deep, cold water and stay down around 80-150 feet most of the day since they're sensitive to light. Early morning and evening are prime time when they move up to feed. Spring through fall produces the best action, but late summer can be dynamite when the baitfish are thick. Guests love kings because they fight hard and the orange-pink meat is table fare at its finest. These fish are built for power, not jumping, so expect long, bulldogging runs that'll test your equipment. Here's a local trick: when downrigging, set one rod deeper than the others - kings often cruise just below the main school. Use bright spoons or plugs, and keep your drag smooth because these fish don't give up easy.
Lake Trout
Lakers are the deep-water specialists of Ontario - these grey-green giants with cream markings can hit 15-40 pounds and live in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake. We're usually fishing 100-200 feet down where the water stays consistently cold and oxygen-rich. They're not flashy fighters like salmon, but they're bulldogs that use their weight and the deep water to their advantage. Spring right after ice-out and late fall are best when they move up a bit, but summer fishing in deep water can be excellent too. The meat is rich and flaky - perfect for the grill. What's cool about lake trout is they're true natives here, perfectly adapted to these deep, cold waters. Here's the key: use heavy jigs or downrigger setups and fish right on bottom or just above it. They like vertical presentations, so don't be afraid to drop straight down and work that jig slowly.
Steelhead Trout
Steelhead are basically rainbow trout that decided to go big - they head out to the open lake and come back silver, strong, and mean. These fish average 24 inches but can push 45 inches when conditions are right. They love cold, deep water and use structure like drop-offs and rocky areas for cover. Spring through fall are your best bets, especially during overcast conditions when they're more active. What makes steelhead special is their fight - they'll jump, run, and test every bit of your drag. The meat is excellent too, firmer than regular trout with that clean lake taste. My tip: when trolling deep, watch for suspended fish on the finder around 60-80 feet. They often sit just above the thermocline where the water temperature drops. Use downriggers with spoons or plugs, and don't be surprised when one takes off like a freight train.
About the Shenanigans
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Crusader
Maximum Cruising Speed: 25
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower per Engine: 350
