Beginner Lake Ontario Salmon Fishing | J & J

Brown Trout

Brown trout in Lake Ontario are a treat to catch. These guys usually run 5-10 pounds, but trophy fish pushing 20 pounds aren't unheard of. They're crafty predators, often lurking near drop-offs or structure. Spring and fall are prime seasons when they're in shallower water. Browns are known for their selective feeding and wary nature, making them a challenge that keeps anglers coming back. They put up a great fight and taste fantastic on the grill. We often find them relating to temp breaks or following bait schools. Early morning or late evening can be magic hours. Here's a tip: try trolling with stickbaits that mimic local baitfish. When you hook into a big brown, you'll know why they're such a sought-after catch on the lake.

Chinook Salmon

Chinook, or King Salmon, are the heavyweights of Lake Ontario. These bruisers can top 30 pounds, with most catches in the 15-25 pound range. They're deep swimmers, often hanging out near the thermocline or following bait schools. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but summer can be productive too. Chinooks are prized for their hard-fighting spirit - when one hits, hold on tight! They've got excellent table fare too, with rich, flavorful meat. We usually troll for them, using downriggers to get our lures deep. A local trick: use glow-in-the-dark lures early morning or on overcast days. It's a real thrill when a big King strikes, making them a favorite target for many anglers on the lake.

Lake Trout

Lake trout are the true natives of Lake Ontario, and they're built for the deep, cold water. These fish can live for decades and grow huge - 20-pounders aren't uncommon. You'll find them deep most of the year, often suspended over basin areas. Spring and fall are best for shallower fishing. Lakers are prized for their fight and tasty, firm flesh. They're not the fastest, but they've got stamina that'll test your arms. We typically target them by jigging or trolling deep. They love cooler water, so focus on thermoclines in summer. Here's a local secret: try using glow-in-the-dark lures when fishing deep. Lake trout might not jump like salmon, but hooking into a big one is always a thrill. They're a favorite for anglers looking for a mix of challenge and reward.

Pink Salmon

Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus Gorbuscha) Fish Description

Also known as the Humpback Salmon, the Pink Salmon is the smallest and the most abundant among the Pacific Salmon. The Pink Salmon appear as bright silver in the oceans but in streams, they gain back their light yellowish-white underbelly. Some others have a dull green color. Though, it highly depends on where they are.

Pink Salmon are most noted for their slight hump on their back, hence their name. They also don’t have teeth on their tongues. But Pink Salmon have large black oval spots on their back and their tail fins. They also have deep forked-tail and an anal fin that has 13-17 soft rays.

Pink Salmon Diet and Size

Pink Salmon often eat plankton. However, they also eat smaller fish, squid, and occasionally – Aquatic Insects. Pink Salmon average between 4.8 lbs (2.2 kg) in weight. However, someone managed to record a pink salmon being 30 inches and weighing around 15 lbs (6.8kg).

 

Interesting Facts about the Pink Salmon

• Pink Salmon often have a short life cycle of around 2 years.
• Pink Salmon love cold water.
• The crustaceans that Pink Salmon eat are what make the salmon’s fillet pink.
• A lot of people love eating pink salmon. Some even say that pink salmon are known for their omega-3 content. However, pink salmon may not be good for those who have high uric acid as it can cause gout.
• Pink Salmon is eaten in different ways. It can be smoked, baked, fried, and grilled. Some cuisines like employing the poêle method, allowing it to cook in its own juices. This helps achieve a crispy skin but soft texture.
• In Asian countries, Pink Salmon can be eaten raw. Japanese usually serve it as sushi or nigiri where it’s known as Sake.
• Southeast Asian countries often eat their Pink Salmon grilled. Some also eat it as part of a sour soup called Sinigang which is usually a tamarind soup-base with some vegetables such as swamp cabbage, tomatoes, and eggplant. Some people may also use Bilimbi or Kamias as the base of the soup.
• Pink Salmon are commonly enjoyed for their fillet and their belly. Eastern countries also enjoy eating from the head.
• The belly of the Pink Salmon is said where all the Omega-3 oils are.
• Pink Salmon often don’t interbreed. But when they do, their hybrids often come out sterile.

Pink Salmon – Fishing Techniques: How to Fish for a Pink Salmon

For fishing Pink Salmon, you’ll need a medium action rod. As for the reel, it will depend on how you’re catching them. For casting, you’ll need a reel that holds 150 yards. Or at least, 8 to 10 lbs. For a jig, some anglers recommend brightly colored jigs. The most color that anglers use is pink in order to attract the pink salmon. This may be to fool the fish into thinking that the jig is a crustacean. They also use a pink hoochie which looks like a squid.

To make it more attractive, some people smear fish oil onto the jig to attract them. Some use herring oil. Others use squid oil.

Pink Salmon is a good fish to start for beginners. Anglers would often say that the Pink Salmon is one way to start if one wants to mimic the pros. 

Pink Salmon Habitat 

Pink Salmon loves cold water especially if it’s around 10 degrees Celsius. They’re native to Pacific and Arctic coastal waters and rivers. Pink Salmon sometimes are in creeks and lakes. But they do like their place in rivers. They also stay in sea basins.