Now charted as Lake America
Lake Ontario fishing charters
Looking for Lake Ontario? You're in the right place. On 27 August 2026, U.S. charts renamed Lake Ontario to Lake America. It's the same lake, with the same thirty-pound kings and the same captains. This site covers every charter port on the New York shore, from the Niagara River east to Cape Vincent, under both names.
Why two names
Lake Ontario and Lake America are the same lake
On 27 August 2026, a U.S. executive order directed federal agencies to call Lake Ontario "Lake America," and U.S. charts and some map apps followed (background on Wikipedia ↗). The water, the fish, the ports, the regulations and the captains are all the same.
You'll see both names for years. Canadian charts still say Lake Ontario, and so do the Lake Ontario Counties derbies, older guidebooks, tackle packaging and most people on the docks. We use both names so you can find us with either one.
Nothing about your trip has changed. The New York State fishing license rules are the same, the captains are the same USCG-licensed operators, and the fish run on the same calendar as always.
Find the right Lake Ontario port
Pick what you want to catch, where and when, and we'll suggest a port.
Lake Ontario charter ports in New York
The ports are listed west to east. Each port page covers what the port is good for, when to go, where to launch and where to stay.
Niagara Bar & Lewiston
The only port on the lake that fishes well in February.
Peak Mar-May, Oct-Dec 02 · NIAGARA COUNTY, NYWilson
You can have lines in the water about fifteen minutes after you leave the dock.
Peak Apr-Jun, Jul-Aug 03 · NIAGARA COUNTY, NYOlcott
Olcott is western New York's top port for April brown trout.
Peak Apr-Jun 04 · ORLEANS COUNTY, NYPoint Breeze / Oak Orchard
Boats troll the lake in spring, and anglers wade the creek in fall.
Peak Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct 05 · MONROE COUNTY, NYRochester
Rochester has brown trout, salmon and bass within twenty minutes of downtown.
Peak Apr-Jun, Jul-Sep 06 · WAYNE COUNTY, NYSodus Bay
You can fish for kings on the lake in the morning and bass in the bay after lunch.
Peak Jun-Aug 07 · CAYUGA COUNTY, NYFair Haven
Fair Haven is a quiet August port with fewer boats than Oswego.
Peak Jun-Aug 08 · OSWEGO COUNTY, NYOswego
The biggest fish of the year come out of Oswego.
Peak Jun-Sep 09 · OSWEGO COUNTY, NYPulaski & Mexico Bay
The Salmon River here has the best-known salmon run in the eastern United States.
Peak Aug-Nov, Nov-Apr 10 · JEFFERSON COUNTY, NYHenderson Harbor
Book Henderson Harbor if you want to catch a lot of fish.
Peak Jun-Sep 11 · JEFFERSON COUNTY, NYCape Vincent & Chaumont
Cape Vincent sits where the lake flows into the St. Lawrence River.
Peak Jun-Sep, Jan-FebWhen the fish are biting
The chart shows the best months for each of ten species. The darkest cells are the months worth taking time off for.
Full seasons guide| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook SalmonKing · to 35 lb | ||||||||||||
| Coho SalmonSilver · 6–15 lb | ||||||||||||
| SteelheadLake-run rainbow | ||||||||||||
| Brown TroutNearshore · to 20 lb | ||||||||||||
| Lake TroutDeep · to 25 lb | ||||||||||||
| Atlantic SalmonRestoration fishery | ||||||||||||
| Smallmouth BassEastern basin | ||||||||||||
| WalleyeBays & rivers | ||||||||||||
| Northern PikeWeed edges & bays | ||||||||||||
| Yellow PerchSchooling · bays |
Questions
Is Lake America the same as Lake Ontario?
Yes. U.S. charts renamed Lake Ontario to Lake America on 27 August 2026. It is the same lake, with the same fish, ports and captains. Canadian maps, older guidebooks and most anglers still say Lake Ontario, and this site uses both names.
How much does a Lake Ontario fishing charter cost?
Most charter boats on the New York side of Lake Ontario charge about $700 to $800 for a 5- to 6-hour trip and $900 to $1,000 for 8 hours (published 2025 and 2026 rates). That price is for the whole boat, not per person, and most boats take up to six anglers, the limit on a captain's six-pack (OUPV) license. Each captain sets their own rates, so ask when you request a trip. Everyone 16 and over also needs a New York fishing license.
Where are the best Lake Ontario fishing charter ports in New York?
There are eleven ports on the New York shore. From west to east: Niagara Bar & Lewiston, Wilson, Olcott, Point Breeze / Oak Orchard, Rochester, Sodus Bay, Fair Haven, Oswego, Pulaski & Mexico Bay, Henderson Harbor, and Cape Vincent & Chaumont. Oswego and Pulaski are the top salmon ports in late summer and fall. Olcott and Wilson are best for brown trout in spring. Henderson Harbor and Cape Vincent are best for smallmouth bass.
When is the best time to fish Lake Ontario for salmon?
Offshore king salmon fishing runs from late June through August. Mature Chinook stage off Oswego and Mexico Bay from late July into September, and the Salmon River run at Pulaski peaks from mid-September to late October. Steelhead take over in the tributaries from November through April.
Do I need a fishing license on a Lake Ontario charter?
Yes. Everyone 16 and over needs a New York State fishing license, including on a charter boat. Captains don't sell licenses. Buy one from NYSDEC online at decals.east.licensing.app (the state's official site) or by calling 1-866-933-2257. Nonresidents pay $10 for 1 day, $28 for 7 days or $50 for the year.
How do I book a Lake Ontario fishing charter here?
Send one trip request with your port, dates, party size and target species. Licensed captains who fish that port reply directly with availability and pricing, and you book with them. There is no fee.
Does this site cover the Canadian side of Lake Ontario?
No. We cover the eleven U.S. ports on the New York shore, from the Niagara River east to Cape Vincent. We don't list ports in Ontario, Canada, such as Port Credit, Bronte and Cobourg.
How to book
One request reaches the right captains
Tell us the port and the fish. Licensed captains who fish that part of Lake Ontario in that month reply to you directly with dates and prices. There's no fee.