Seasons

• The steelhead season for Lake Ontario is open year-round in the state of New York. The tributaries of Lake Ontario have two steelhead seasons. The fish will make spawning runs in the spring and in the fall. The exact date the run begins depends on the water levels and water temperature. On average, the fall run begins in September and the spring run begins in late May.
  
  

Regulations

• Anglers can keep three trout in a single outing. Only one steelhead may be kept and the fish must be over 21 inches long. The regulations apply year-round to the lake and the tributaries. Anglers must also have a current fishing license when fishing for steelhead.
  
  

Locations

• New York has hundreds of miles of shoreline and countless tributaries to Lake Ontario. Generally, anglers never reveal their secret spots, but with a willingness to explore you will likely find your own favorites. The Salmon River is a popular tributary that receives a large run of steelhead in the fall, winter and spring. Other popular locations include Sandy Creek and the Little Oswego River. The mouths of the tributaries are also very productive when fished from a boat on the lake.
  
  

Techniques

• Fishing for steelhead in Lake Ontario is most effective from a boat. Boat anglers can locate schools of bait fish using a fish finder with a depth reading. Once the school is located, trolling with flashers and spoons is effective for catching both salmon and steelhead. Anglers can also do well by casting spoons, plugs and crankbaits at the same depth as the bait fish. Some of the best steelhead fishing in Lake Ontario is just prior to the spawning season when large groups of fish gather at the mouths of major tributaries. The techniques do not change but the opportunity to catch large numbers of fish is present. Once the fish enter the tributaries, spoons and lures remain effective but drifting eggs is also productive.
  
  

Guides

• Guides provide a major advantage when fishing Lake Ontario and the associated tributaries. Guides monitor the steelhead runs as well as the average depth and locations of the steelhead on a daily basis. Guides also provide expert knowledge of the fishery and can provide gear and transportation to the best fishing locations.