Lake Ontario

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Boat launches

43 public boat ramps and launches on the U.S. shoreline, from the Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota DNR boating access lists (official state data) and OpenStreetMap. Tap a state to open its list. The list may be incomplete, and fees, hours and conditions change, so confirm before you go.

Size & creel limits

Each state sets its own seasons, size limits and daily limits for its part of Lake Ontario, and Great Lakes waters often have rules that differ from inland lakes. Look up the current rules for the state you fish:

• New York: New York State DEC ↗

Bait & tackle nearby

Bait and tackle shops near ports on the U.S. shore. Call ahead for hours and what live bait is in stock.

New York

• Captain's Cove Motel & MarinaNY
  14339 Roosevelt Hwy, Waterport, NY · 585-682-3316 · Live bait advertised: nightcrawlers, red worms, shiners, fatheadsDirections ↗
• Woody's Live BaitNY
  2448 Oak Orchard Rd, Albion, NY · 585-590-1772 · Live bait advertised: live baitDirections ↗
• Oak Orchard Tackle & LodgeNY
  1764 Oak Orchard Rd, Albion, NY · 585-682-4546Directions ↗
• Mitchel's Live Bait & TackleNY
  4531 Lake Ave, Rochester, NY · 585-663-4564Directions ↗
• Bay Bridge Sport ShopNY
  9555 Ridge Rd, North Rose, NY · 315-587-9508Directions ↗
• Toadz BaitNY
  8333 West Port Bay Rd, Wolcott, NY · 315-594-8011Directions ↗
• RTB Bait & TackleNY
  1830 Bridie Square, Oswego, NY · 315-529-7129 · Live bait advertised: fat heads, spikes, wax worms, egg sacs, night crawlersDirections ↗
• Fat Nancy's Tackle ShopNY
  3750 State Route 13, Pulaski, NY · 315-298-6357Directions ↗
• All Seasons SportsNY
  3733 State Route 13, Pulaski, NY · 315-298-6433Directions ↗
• Whitaker's Sport Shop and MotelNY
  3707 State Route 13, Pulaski, NY · 315-298-6162Directions ↗
• Port Ontario Tackle & ChartersNY
  7365 State Route 3, Pulaski, NY · 315-298-6751Directions ↗
• Henchen Marina & Fishing CampNY
  13442 County Route 123, Henderson Harbor, NY · 888-848-3821 · Live bait advertised: live baitDirections ↗
• Henderson Tackle ShopNY
  8910 State Route 178, Henderson, NY · 315-304-4020Directions ↗
• Martin's MarinaNY
  28491 County Route 6, Cape Vincent, NY · 315-654-3104Directions ↗

Local tips

• In spring, troll shallow along the shore for browns and coho before the water stratifies.
• Fall king salmon fishing on the Salmon River at Pulaski is crowded; arrive early and know the special river rules.
• Henderson Harbor and the eastern basin are the place for smallmouth and walleye.
• Great Lakes conditions change fast. Wear a life jacket, check the marine forecast, and carry a VHF radio when you run offshore.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street or satellite map. Red pins are boat launches; tap a pin for directions.