Lake Ontario fishing

Fishing at Lake Ontario has Lake Trout, Atlantic Salmon, and Brown Trout on the stocking report. It is stocked about 4.7 times a year since 2011, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn for Lake Trout and dawn, day, and dusk for Brown Trout.

Last stocked

May 1, 2025

Plants on record

70

Since 2011

Species recorded

3

Average size

7.3 in

Elevation

259 ft

Access and facts

Nearest town
Hamlin
Boat ramp
Yes
Float tube friendly
Yes
ADA accessible
No

A DEC-listed hand launch is at Hamlin, operated by OPRHP, with parking for about 3 vehicles. Anglers should clean gear: this water has documented invasive species (Eurasian Watermilfoil, Curly-leaf Pondweed, Zebra Mussel, Spiny waterflea, Fishhook Waterflea).

Sources: access , fishing_notes

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How Lake Ontario is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of May. In 2025 it was April 1, 2025, earlier than usual.

Waterport Pond (4.8 mi) was stocked more recently.

Fish at Lake Ontario

Fishing Lake Ontario is most likely to be for Brown Trout. Brown Trout accounts for 32 of 70 plants on record, ahead of Lake Trout and one more.

Brown Trout 32 plants
Plants
32 of 70
Last stocked
April 1, 2025
Average length
8.4 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Brown Trout guide.

Lake Trout 21 plants
Plants
21 of 70
Last stocked
May 1, 2023
Average length
6.3 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Lake Trout guide.

Atlantic Salmon 17 plants
Plants
17 of 70
Last stocked
May 1, 2025
Average length
6.6 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Atlantic Salmon guide.

Fishing Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario is known for its important freshwater fishery, offering opportunities for anglers. Despite its significance, this fishery has been negatively affected by several factors. These include overfishing, water pollution, and the presence of invasive species, which have impacted the lake's aquatic environment.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Fish stocked per year

  • 139,3302011
  • 176,5402012
  • 128,6002013
  • 254,3592014
  • 263,0352015
  • 134,2102016
  • 50,2802017
  • 132,6532018
  • 119,3302019
  • 99,6352020
  • 52,5502021
  • 133,3002022
  • 155,2012023
  • 87,4502024
  • 59,1302025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 70 plants Showing 70 plants

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
May 1, 2025 Atlantic Salmon 20,630 6.5 in report
April 1, 2025 Brown Trout 38,500 8.5 in report
May 1, 2024 Atlantic Salmon 10,000 7.2 in report
May 1, 2024 Brown Trout 22,470 7.6 in report
May 1, 2024 Brown Trout 14,980 7.8 in report
May 1, 2024 Atlantic Salmon 40,000 6.3 in report
May 1, 2023 Atlantic Salmon 21,040 6.5 in report
May 1, 2023 Atlantic Salmon 17,850 7 in report
May 1, 2023 Brown Trout 17,500 7.8 in report
May 1, 2023 Brown Trout 17,500 7.8 in report
May 1, 2023 Lake Trout 40,206 6.4 in report
May 1, 2023 Lake Trout 41,105 6.5 in report
May 1, 2022 Atlantic Salmon 18,800 6.5 in report
May 1, 2022 Lake Trout 79,500 7 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, 2021 Brown Trout 16,275 7.8 in report
May 1, 2021 Brown Trout 16,275 7.6 in report
May 1, 2021 Atlantic Salmon 20,000 7 in report
May 1, 2020 Lake Trout 34,775 6.8 in report
May 1, 2020 Lake Trout 38,400 6.5 in report
April 1, 2020 Brown Trout 6,460 7.7 in report
March 1, 2020 Atlantic Salmon 20,000 10 in report
May 1, 2019 Atlantic Salmon 5,660 7.2 in report
May 1, 2019 Lake Trout 80,000 6.4 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 16,835 7.8 in report
May 1, 2019 Brown Trout 16,835 7.5 in report
May 1, 2018 Atlantic Salmon 20,000 7.2 in report
May 1, 2018 Lake Trout 39,624 7.3 in report
May 1, 2018 Lake Trout 39,969 7.2 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 14,830 8.1 in report
May 1, 2018 Brown Trout 18,230 7.5 in report
May 1, 2017 Atlantic Salmon 20,000 0.5 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 8,630 9.9 in report
May 1, 2017 Brown Trout 21,650 7.1 in report
May 1, 2016 Atlantic Salmon 20,000 7 in report
May 1, 2016 Lake Trout 81,450 6.6 in report
May 1, 2016 Brown Trout 16,380 9.4 in report
May 1, 2016 Brown Trout 16,380 8.1 in report
October 1, 2015 Lake Trout 121,965 4.5 in report
June 1, 2015 Brown Trout 10,480 9.2 in report
June 1, 2015 Brown Trout 10,540 9.2 in report
June 1, 2015 Brown Trout 8,000 8.2 in report
May 1, 2015 Atlantic Salmon 20,000 7 in report
May 1, 2015 Lake Trout 81,630 6.1 in report
May 1, 2015 Brown Trout 10,420 8.9 in report
October 1, 2014 Lake Trout 120,699 4.6 in report
June 1, 2014 Brown Trout 10,910 8.8 in report
June 1, 2014 Brown Trout 10,910 8.7 in report
May 1, 2014 Atlantic Salmon 20,000 7.2 in report
May 1, 2014 Lake Trout 40,640 6.6 in report
May 1, 2014 Lake Trout 40,290 6.3 in report
May 1, 2014 Brown Trout 10,910 8.8 in report
May 1, 2013 Atlantic Salmon 20,000 6.6 in report
May 1, 2013 Lake Trout 40,270 7.3 in report
May 1, 2013 Lake Trout 40,070 7.2 in report
May 1, 2013 Brown Trout 14,440 8.7 in report
May 1, 2013 Brown Trout 13,820 8.6 in report
October 1, 2012 Lake Trout 39,420 5.6 in report
October 1, 2012 Lake Trout 960 5.6 in report
October 1, 2012 Lake Trout 41,280 5.4 in report
October 1, 2012 Lake Trout 41,170 5.4 in report
May 1, 2012 Atlantic Salmon 20,000 6.6 in report
May 1, 2012 Brown Trout 14,960 8.6 in report
May 1, 2012 Brown Trout 18,750 8.4 in report
June 1, 2011 Brown Trout 3,430 9.5 in report
June 1, 2011 Brown Trout 9,440 9.4 in report
June 1, 2011 Brown Trout 19,300 8.9 in report
May 1, 2011 Atlantic Salmon 20,000 5.5 in report
May 1, 2011 Lake Trout 87,160 6.7 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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