King Salmon Fishing On Lake Ontario In Oswego, New York

Oswego is one of New York's port cities on Lake Ontario, which supplies year-round fishing opportunities. Salmon is one of the most popular catches for sport fishing in Lake Ontario, which serves as the prime feeding ground for salmon in the area. From individual fishing trips to chartered excursions, fishing for king salmon on Lake Ontario is an unforgettable experience for anglers out of Oswego, New York.

Identification

Lake Ontario is the easternmost Great Lake and is sandwiched between New York and Canada. Its freshwater salmon fishing is fed by a strong stocking program in the surrounding cities. For example, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation stocks Lake Ontario's tributaries, such as the Salmon River in Oswego County, with large numbers of salmon that eventually migrate to Lake Ontario to feed.

The Catch

King salmon, also known as chinook salmon, are heavily stocked in New York rivers and streams that feed into Lake Ontario. After spending the first year in the river, the king salmon travel to Lake Ontario, where they enjoy a large diet of alewives and smelt before returning to the river to spawn. The king salmon is the largest variety of Pacific salmon and averages between 18 and 22 pounds.

Method

The king salmon fishing season on Lake Ontario begins in July, when the salmon begin to arrive from the rivers, and lasts through October, before the lake begins to freeze. The best method to catch king salmon is to troll around the lake using a downrigger to reach the desired depth. The warmer the water, the deeper the salmon are found. Spoons and plugs attached to the downrigger will attract the fish.

Charters

There are many fishing charters based in Oswego that offer a great opportunity for salmon fishing. These companies provide the equipment necessary for a productive fishing trip, as well as the knowledge and experience that enables them to find the best fishing spots. Popular charter companies in Oswego include TSI Charters, C-Sick Sportfishing Charters, Cannonball Runner Charters and Little Whip Fishing Charters.

License Information

Anglers over age 16 must purchase a New York fishing license before fishing in the New York waters of Lake Ontario. The best deal for residents is the annual license that costs $29 as of 2010, but one-day and seven-day licenses are also available. Nonresidents can also purchase an annual license, but it costs $70 compared with $15 for one day or $35 for seven days.