How to Catch King Salmon on Lake Ontario
In this guide, we’ll show you how to successfully target king salmon on Lake Ontario using proven trolling techniques. You’ll learn when to fish, which flasher and fly combinations work best, and how to adjust your setup when conditions change. By following these strategies, you can stay on the fish and maximize your success.
The Best Bait for Salmon Season on Lake Ontario
The behavior of king salmon on Lake Ontario can vary greatly depending on where they are in the migration process. Early in the staging phase, when salmon are actively feeding and aggressive, classic trolling setups like flashers and flies work well. For this period, try pairing an 8-inch flasher with a Pro-Am fly or a similar proven combination. A faster trolling speed of 2.5-3 mph can also trigger more aggressive strikes from these active fish.
However, as salmon approach the final stage of staging, their feeding habits often become more erratic. Fish will still be present but tend to be more selective in their feeding. At this point, adjusting your bait presentation is key. Switching to a larger 11-inch flasher or introducing a different fly pattern, like a Mooneye or Glow Green, can often make a significant difference. Slowing down your trolling speed to 2-2.2 mph can also help, as more hesitant fish tend to bite better at slower speeds.
At Saiff Fleet, we’ve developed a systematic approach to tackle this shift in behavior. From mid-August to mid-September, we rely on our tried-and-true combinations like the White/Glow E-chip with a Mooneye fly but are always ready to adapt based on fish behavior. Keeping a flexible mindset and knowing when to switch baits, depths, and trolling speeds are essential in targeting king salmon effectively during the prime season on Lake Ontario.
Adapting to Changing Conditions
King salmon can be aggressive in the early morning, but as the sun rises, their behavior shifts. If you’ve been trolling for an hour without a bite, it’s a sign that conditions have changed. Factors like increasing sunlight, shifting water temperatures, and fish movement can all impact their feeding patterns. Recognizing these changes and adjusting your approach is key to keeping the bite going.
One effective adjustment is increasing the size of your flasher. If an 8-inch flasher was producing fish earlier but is no longer working, switching to an 11-inch version—like the “Big Silver”—can trigger a response from less aggressive fish. A larger flasher creates more flash and vibration, making it harder for salmon to ignore.
Even with a bigger flasher, it’s often best to keep your bait at the same depth where fish were biting earlier. If salmon were actively hitting at a specific depth in the morning, they’re likely still in that range, even if their feeding habits have changed. By maintaining depth while increasing the size of your presentation, you improve your chances of drawing strikes from hesitant fish.
Maximizing Opportunities on Lake Ontario
As salmon approach the shore, their feeding patterns evolve, and you’ll need to adjust your tactics accordingly. Early in the staging phase, when fish are more aggressive, a steady presentation often works well. But as they become more selective closer to the final stage, subtle changes in your technique can make all the difference.
One of the most important adjustments is increasing the size of your presentation. When the bite slows, switching to a larger flasher or changing your bait’s action can entice more hesitant fish. Additionally, maintaining the right depth is key—salmon tend to stay at the same depth where they were actively feeding, even when their activity level drops. Keeping your bait at that same depth range, even if the bite slows, ensures you’re still in the right zone.
The Best Bait, Lures, Patterns and Leads
In the early stages of king salmon migration, when the fish are still bright silver, their feeding behavior is aggressive. This period offers some of the most exciting fishing of the season, as these salmon are eager to strike. To take advantage of this aggressive feeding behavior, it’s crucial to use the right equipment and adjust your tactics based on fish and water conditions.
One of the most effective tools during this time is the 8-inch Pro Troll E-chip flasher. These flashers are perfect for enticing aggressive kings due to their size and action. The 8-inch size provides enough flash to attract attention without overwhelming the fish. Depending on water clarity and conditions, you can experiment with different color combinations, such as glow patterns for low light conditions or brighter, more reflective colors for clearer water.
The Advantage of Smaller E-Chips
One of the key advantages of using 8-inch E-chip flashers during the early stages of the king salmon run is their versatility across different trolling speeds. During this aggressive feeding phase, king salmon are more likely to strike at higher trolling speeds. By increasing your trolling speed, you simulate the fast-moving prey that these fish are more inclined to chase. This technique can significantly increase your chances of landing a large fish, as the salmon are highly motivated to strike anything moving quickly through the water.
While trolling speed plays a crucial role, another constant during this phase is the fly lead length. We typically run the fly 21 inches behind the 8-inch flasher, maintaining consistency across all setups. This fixed lead length places the bait in the ideal position to trigger a strike. When targeting aggressive kings, a tightly run pattern works best—concentrating your bait closer together simulates a fast-moving school of prey, which attracts the fish. For less aggressive fish, a more extended presentation may be necessary, placing the bait further back in your spread. In this case, a “tail gunner” position—where the bait trails farther behind the main spread—can help entice bites from more hesitant fish.
The 41-Inch Lead for Bait Harnesses: The “Fruit Basket” Setup
For deeper-holding salmon, especially late in the season, use a 41-inch lead with bait harnesses like cut herring. Pair this with an 11-inch E-chip flasher, and the “Fruit Basket” flasher, known for its orange and yellow stripes on a glowing base. This setup works well for targeting salmon holding near the lakebed and is especially effective from late August to early September.
Deploy this rig on the deepest line in your spread, called the “bottom tracker.” It’s often the first rig we set up each morning, targeting larger, less active salmon. The combination of the “Fruit Basket” flasher, 41-inch lead, and cut herring provides an irresistible presentation to staging salmon.
Older Kings and the Importance of Scent
Adjusting the Bait Head for Different Activity Levels
When targeting older kings, adjusting the bait head to match their activity level is crucial. For actively feeding salmon, a more pronounced bend in the bait head increases rotation speed, triggering strikes. However, for older, less active kings, a subtle bend creates a slower, more natural motion that appeals to lethargic fish.
The 41-inch lead is essential to maintain the optimal speed and position of the bait. This adjustment ensures the bait moves naturally, mimicking prey behavior and enticing older kings holding deep in the water.
Trimming Bait for Optimal Rotation and Scent
Properly trimming cut herring ensures a tight fit in the bait head, creating a balanced, consistent rotation. Packing the bait securely and pinning it with a toothpick maintains a “weight-forward” balance, allowing smooth spinning at various trolling speeds. This movement, combined with a strong scent trail, is highly effective in attracting kings.
Fine-tuning bait head adjustments and herring trimming helps match conditions and fish behavior. Whether targeting active or sluggish kings, these small refinements can significantly improve strike rates.
Extend the Lead
In mid-September, while many boats in the “Trench” off Henderson Harbor were struggling with dead rods, Captain Mitch Franz of Mit-She Charters was consistently landing king salmon, seemingly one after another. Intrigued by his success, I couldn’t help but observe his setup, and to my surprise, he was using unusually long leads on his bait harnesses.
Late-season kings, especially in mid-September, are lethargic and hold deep, requiring a slower, more natural presentation. Through careful observation and dockside analysis, I discovered that a 62-inch lead—paired with large E-Chip flashers—creates the ideal slow bait movement to entice these sluggish fish. This setup mimics injured prey, keeping the bait in the strike zone longer and increasing the chances of a bite.
To further slow the presentation, deploying sea bags helps reduce boat speed to a crawl. The flashers rotate methodically while the bait harnesses move seductively, giving even the most inactive kings time to react. While other anglers struggle to trigger bites, this patient, consistent approach consistently produces results.
Whether fishing the Trench off Henderson Harbor or other late-season waters, the 62-inch lead remains a proven tactic. Adapt to conditions, slow down the presentation, and let the kings come to you.
Original Article By Captain Bill Saiff III
About The Author
Capt. Bill Saiff III owns the Saiff Charter Fishing Fleet. The Saiff Fleet operates from Henderson Harbor, NY.
This article has been revised by Daniel O’Neill, an experienced angler and writer, to ensure its continued relevance and accuracy. As a result, it may no longer reflect the original author’s views or intentions.
