Lake Ontario fishing

Fishing at Lake Ontario has Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 10 times a year since 2011, most often in April and May. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout and dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout.

Last stocked

May 1, 2025

Plants on record

156

Since 2011

Species recorded

2

Average size

8.4 in

Elevation

277 ft

Access and facts

Nearest town
Rochester
Boat ramp
Yes
ADA accessible
No

DEC-listed public hard surface launch on Genesee River/Lake Ontario in Rochester. Parking for 40 cars and trailers.

Sources: access , shore_notes , nearest_town , fishing_notes , watch_outs

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How Lake Ontario is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of April. In 2025 it was April 1, 2025, about when it usually is.

Genesee River (0.8 mi) was stocked more recently. Genesee River is also stocked with Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout.

Fish at Lake Ontario

Fishing Lake Ontario is most likely to be for Brown Trout. Brown Trout accounts for 127 of 156 plants on record, ahead of Rainbow Trout.

Brown Trout 127 plants
Plants
127 of 156
Last stocked
May 1, 2025
Average length
8.2 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Rainbow Trout 29 plants
Plants
29 of 156
Last stocked
May 1, 2019
Average length
8.9 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Fishing Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes, has an important freshwater fishery. However, this valuable fishery has been negatively affected by several factors. These challenges include overfishing, ongoing water pollution, and the presence of invasive species, which have collectively impacted the overall health and productivity of the lake's aquatic environment and its fish populations.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

What to watch for

The freshwater fishery in Lake Ontario has been negatively affected by factors including overfishing, water pollution, and invasive species. These conditions present challenges to the fishery.

Fish stocked per year

  • 153,4002011
  • 157,6502012
  • 129,0002013
  • 166,9002014
  • 135,9302015
  • 180,7102016
  • 141,4002017
  • 135,2802018
  • 159,6002019
  • 161,3602020
  • 130,4102021
  • 128,0002022
  • 128,1002023
  • 137,0602024
  • 121,6602025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 156 plants Showing 156 plants

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 1, 2025 Brown Trout 25,630 7.9 in report
May 1, 2025 Brown Trout 25,630 7.9 in report
May 1, 2025 Brown Trout 25,630 8 in report
April 1, 2025 Brown Trout 25,520 8.1 in report
April 1, 2025 Brown Trout 19,250 7.9 in report
May 1, 2024 Brown Trout 17,130 7.8 in report
May 1, 2024 Brown Trout 24,930 7.6 in report
May 1, 2024 Brown Trout 7,690 8.9 in report
May 1, 2024 Brown Trout 14,980 7.8 in report
April 1, 2024 Brown Trout 22,470 7.7 in report
April 1, 2024 Brown Trout 24,930 7.8 in report
April 1, 2024 Brown Trout 24,930 7.7 in report
May 1, 2023 Brown Trout 16,000 7.9 in report
May 1, 2023 Brown Trout 7,200 8.2 in report
May 1, 2023 Brown Trout 7,300 8.2 in report
May 1, 2023 Brown Trout 17,500 8 in report
May 1, 2023 Brown Trout 7,300 8.1 in report
May 1, 2023 Brown Trout 7,300 8.1 in report
April 1, 2023 Brown Trout 16,000 7.9 in report
April 1, 2023 Brown Trout 17,500 7.7 in report
April 1, 2023 Brown Trout 16,000 7.9 in report
April 1, 2023 Brown Trout 16,000 7.9 in report
May 1, 2022 Brown Trout 31,000 8 in report
May 1, 2022 Brown Trout 15,500 7.5 in report
May 1, 2022 Brown Trout 17,500 8 in report
May 1, 2022 Brown Trout 17,500 7.5 in report
May 1, 2022 Brown Trout 15,500 8 in report
May 1, 2022 Brown Trout 31,000 7.5 in report
June 1, 2021 Brown Trout 11,380 8.1 in report
May 1, 2021 Brown Trout 15,000 7.8 in report
May 1, 2021 Brown Trout 6,620 7.8 in report
May 1, 2021 Brown Trout 6,620 8 in report
May 1, 2021 Brown Trout 15,000 8.1 in report
May 1, 2021 Brown Trout 17,550 7.6 in report
May 1, 2021 Brown Trout 21,620 8 in report
May 1, 2021 Brown Trout 5,345 8 in report
April 1, 2021 Brown Trout 15,000 7.7 in report
April 1, 2021 Brown Trout 16,275 7.8 in report
March 1, 2020 Brown Trout 9,980 7.9 in report
March 1, 2020 Brown Trout 23,280 7.9 in report
March 1, 2020 Brown Trout 23,280 7.9 in report
March 1, 2020 Brown Trout 38,280 7.8 in report
March 1, 2020 Brown Trout 19,980 7.6 in report
March 1, 2020 Brown Trout 23,280 10.6 in report
March 1, 2020 Brown Trout 23,280 7.7 in report
June 1, 2019 Brown Trout 10,000 7.7 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 11,960 8.9 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 11,960 8.7 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 16,000 7.7 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 7,920 7.4 in report
May 1, 2019 Rainbow Trout 17,580 8.4 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 11,960 8.8 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 11,960 7.5 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 13,300 9.1 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 10,620 8.8 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 8,290 8.8 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 15,630 7.6 in report
April 1, 2019 Rainbow Trout 10,000 9.3 in report
April 1, 2019 Rainbow Trout 2,420 9.3 in report
June 1, 2018 Rainbow Trout 6,950 8.8 in report
June 1, 2018 Brown Trout 11,745 8.1 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 11,745 9.3 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 11,745 8.8 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 11,745 8.2 in report
May 1, 2018 Rainbow Trout 10,880 8.6 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 11,745 9 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 5,745 8.9 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 6,000 8.1 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 11,745 9 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 11,745 8.9 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 11,745 8.9 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 11,745 8.2 in report
May 1, 2017 Rainbow Trout 10,000 8.1 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 15,000 8.2 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 15,000 8.1 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 7,280 8 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 7,280 8 in report
May 1, 2017 Rainbow Trout 20,000 8.4 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 15,000 8.1 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 7,280 8.1 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 7,280 8.1 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 7,280 8.1 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 15,000 8.1 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 15,000 8 in report
July 1, 2016 Brown Trout 49,050 – report
July 1, 2016 Brown Trout 16,350 – report
May 1, 2016 Rainbow Trout 4,070 9.7 in report
May 1, 2016 Rainbow Trout 5,930 8.4 in report
May 1, 2016 Brown Trout 7,750 9 in report
May 1, 2016 Brown Trout 15,500 8.1 in report
May 1, 2016 Brown Trout 15,520 8.1 in report
May 1, 2016 Brown Trout 23,270 9.5 in report
May 1, 2016 Brown Trout 23,270 9.2 in report
April 1, 2016 Rainbow Trout 2,550 8.6 in report
April 1, 2016 Rainbow Trout 17,450 8.6 in report
June 1, 2015 Brown Trout 4,940 9 in report
June 1, 2015 Rainbow Trout 5,380 8.5 in report
May 1, 2015 Brown Trout 15,410 7.9 in report
May 1, 2015 Brown Trout 7,700 7.9 in report
May 1, 2015 Brown Trout 15,410 7.9 in report
May 1, 2015 Brown Trout 7,700 7.8 in report
May 1, 2015 Rainbow Trout 15,000 8.5 in report
May 1, 2015 Brown Trout 18,170 7.9 in report
May 1, 2015 Brown Trout 7,700 9.2 in report
May 1, 2015 Brown Trout 7,700 9.2 in report
May 1, 2015 Brown Trout 15,410 7.9 in report
May 1, 2015 Brown Trout 15,410 7.8 in report
October 1, 2014 Brown Trout 26,950 5.3 in report
June 1, 2014 Brown Trout 11,630 9 in report
June 1, 2014 Brown Trout 7,900 8.6 in report
June 1, 2014 Brown Trout 11,630 8.5 in report
May 1, 2014 Brown Trout 23,250 8.7 in report
May 1, 2014 Brown Trout 15,500 8.2 in report
May 1, 2014 Rainbow Trout 8,840 9.6 in report
May 1, 2014 Rainbow Trout 3,950 9.3 in report
May 1, 2014 Rainbow Trout 3,000 8.1 in report
May 1, 2014 Brown Trout 7,750 8.2 in report
May 1, 2014 Brown Trout 7,750 8.2 in report
May 1, 2014 Brown Trout 15,500 8.1 in report
April 1, 2014 Brown Trout 8,900 8.3 in report
April 1, 2014 Brown Trout 6,600 8.2 in report
April 1, 2014 Brown Trout 7,750 8.1 in report
June 1, 2013 Brown Trout 19,630 8.8 in report
June 1, 2013 Brown Trout 19,630 8.4 in report
June 1, 2013 Rainbow Trout 7,140 9.1 in report
June 1, 2013 Rainbow Trout 850 9 in report
May 1, 2013 Rainbow Trout 10,000 9.3 in report
May 1, 2013 Rainbow Trout 10,050 9.5 in report
May 1, 2013 Rainbow Trout 2,810 9.3 in report
May 1, 2013 Brown Trout 9,820 8.7 in report
May 1, 2013 Brown Trout 9,810 8.2 in report
May 1, 2013 Brown Trout 6,550 8.7 in report
May 1, 2013 Brown Trout 13,080 8.7 in report
May 1, 2013 Brown Trout 19,630 8.5 in report
June 1, 2012 Brown Trout 7,900 8.5 in report
May 1, 2012 Brown Trout 23,950 8.6 in report
May 1, 2012 Brown Trout 23,950 8.5 in report
May 1, 2012 Rainbow Trout 9,650 8.9 in report
May 1, 2012 Brown Trout 23,950 8.7 in report
May 1, 2012 Brown Trout 23,950 8.5 in report
May 1, 2012 Brown Trout 23,950 8.3 in report
April 1, 2012 Rainbow Trout 10,000 9.4 in report
April 1, 2012 Rainbow Trout 3,340 9.4 in report
April 1, 2012 Rainbow Trout 7,010 9.1 in report
November 1, 2011 Rainbow Trout 2,500 6.6 in report
June 1, 2011 Brown Trout 11,430 9.4 in report
June 1, 2011 Brown Trout 11,430 9.2 in report
June 1, 2011 Brown Trout 6,600 9 in report
May 1, 2011 Rainbow Trout 10,000 9.1 in report
May 1, 2011 Brown Trout 22,860 7.5 in report
May 1, 2011 Brown Trout 22,860 7.2 in report
May 1, 2011 Rainbow Trout 4,660 9.2 in report
May 1, 2011 Rainbow Trout 15,340 8.8 in report
May 1, 2011 Brown Trout 22,860 9.3 in report
May 1, 2011 Brown Trout 11,430 9.4 in report
May 1, 2011 Brown Trout 11,430 9 in report
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Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

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