Nets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.
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Charter and harbor fishing for kings, lake trout, and brown trout on the eastern lake.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Lake Ontario (Oswego) for brown trout, lake trout and chinook salmon. The best months overall are May to Oct. In October, brown trout, lake trout and chinook salmon are in season, and Suspending Jerkbait, Paddle-Tail Swimbait and Casting Spoon are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles (2 fly, 11 bait and tackle); the closest is Bait box in Oswego, 8 mi away. Salmon River is 21 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.
Best Months
May to Oct
In October
Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Chinook Salmon
Methods
Spin, cast & bait
Season at a Glance
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What You'll Catch
Lake Ontario (Oswego) Species
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
3 picks for October. ● means in season that month.
Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in
LureHard Bait · Brown Trout
Shop This LurePaddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Lake Trout · Jigged deep.
Shop This LureCasting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz
LureSpoon · Lake Trout · Shallow after ice-out.
Shop This Lure
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Rod & Reel
Recommended Setups
Brown Trout
Fly 9 ft 5 or 6 wt rod, floating line for dries and nymphs, sink-tip with 0X to 2X for streamers.
Spin / Cast 6.5 to 7 ft light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb line. Jerkbaits and inline spinners.
Lake Trout
Fly 8 to 9 wt rod with a full-sink line when fish are shallow after ice-out.
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting rod, 20 to 30 lb braid with a fluorocarbon leader, or downrigger trolling gear.
Chinook Salmon
Fly 10 ft 9 or 10 wt rod, sink-tip line, 15 to 20 lb leader.
Spin / Cast 9 to 10.5 ft medium-heavy casting rod, line-counter or levelwind reel, 20 to 30 lb line.
Matched to These Species
Gear for Lake Ontario (Oswego)
Rods
Ugly Stik Bigwater Trolling Rod
A long, forgiving trolling rod for downriggers and planer boards.
Check PriceHard Baits
Rapala X-Rap Jerkbait
A suspending jerkbait that shines in cold, clear water.
Check PriceSpinners
Mepps Aglia Inline Spinner
A classic spinner for trout, bass, and salmon in moving water.
Check PriceSpoons
Acme Kastmaster Spoon
A dense spoon that casts a mile and flutters on the fall.
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Within 45 Miles
Shops Near Lake Ontario (Oswego)
Bait & Tackle
John’s Live Bait & Takle
Sandy Creek, New York· 22 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Sandy Creek, NY.
Bait & Tackle
Sandy Creek Bait & Tackle
Sandy Creek, New York· 25 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Sandy Creek, NY.
Bait & Tackle
Mike's Oneida Lake Bait and Tackle
Cicero, New York· 25 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Cicero, NY.
Fly ShopBait & Tackle
Malinda's Fly, Spey & Tackle Shop
Altmar, New York· 26 mi
Fly and tackle shop in Altmar, NY.
Make It a Trip
Nearby Water
Rivers & Streams · New York · 21 mi
Salmon River
The Lake Ontario tributary at Pulaski, famous for fall king salmon and winter steelhead.
Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Coho Salmon
Lakes & Reservoirs · New York · 36 mi
Oneida Lake
A big, shallow Central New York lake with strong walleye and perch fishing.
Walleye · Yellow Perch · Smallmouth Bass
Rivers & Streams · New York · 64 mi
St. Lawrence River
The Thousand Islands region with world-class smallmouth and trophy muskies.
Smallmouth Bass · Muskellunge · Northern Pike