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World Class Fishing

Santa's favorite past time!

Lake Ontario is the most prolific Great Lakes trophy trout and salmon producer. Together with the Oak Orchard River, they form an unequaled year round trout and salmon sportfishery famous for its world class fishing. Fishing our waters is both relaxing and instantly exhilarating when fighting a 12 pound brown trout or 30 pound Chinook salmon.

The diversity and productivity of the Orleans County fishery is unequaled among Great Lakes trout and salmon angling destinations. Off our shores on Lake Ontario during the spring and summer months, our charter fleet can help you find and catch a staggering array of trophy trout and salmon. Chinook, Coho and Atlantic Salmon as well as Steelhead, Lake Trout and Brown Trout make the deep, cool waters of western Lake Ontario their home. They roam the cool, deep waters, gorging themselves on bait fish, growing large and strong as they await your offering of a spoon, lure or fly.

For fishing conditions, call the Orleans County Tourism Fishing Hotline: (585) 589-3220.


View Orleans County Fishing Map [322 KB]Fishing Seasons
R=Oak Orchard River & Tributaries
L=Lake Ontario
SEASON:
FALL
WINTER
SPRING
SUMMER
Salmon
R/L
-
L
L

Brown Trout

R
R
L
L
Steelhead
R/L
R
R/L
L
Bass
R/L
-
R/L
R/L
Pike
R
R
R/L
R/L
Orleans County Fishing Never Rests!
Summer Fishing on Lake OntarioSmall and Largemouth Bass are also abundant, aggressive and eager to bend your rod. They can be found in Lake Ontario, its tributaries like the Oak Orchard River and in numerous inland waterways. The upper Oak Orchard River between Medina and Waterport is an especially prolific Smallmouth fishery. A combination bass fishing/canoe trip is a delightful way to spend a hot, midsummer day.

Tributary Fishing at it's Best!Autumn in Orleans County, when the hardwood leaves are ablaze with vibrant reds and oranges and the apples are ready to be picked is when the mighty Chinook is drawn from the depths of the lake by the spawning instinct. It surges up the tributaries to spawn in remarkable numbers. Rumor has it that spawning salmon aren't feeding and will not take a lure or a fly, but rumor is proven wrong as these monstrous salmonids instinctively strike out at any presentation that threatens or disturbs their hallowed reproductive process. Along with the Chinook come the giant Brown Trout that have made the Oak Orchard area of Orleans County a "must visit" destination for trout fishermen from across the nation.

As the Brown and Salmon runs taper off towards the end of November, the sleek and feisty Steelhead begin their runs up the tributaries, continuing until the first of May, rounding out an entire year of fantastic, world class trout, salmon and pan fishing.

The following searchable list includes fishing charters & guides, derbies and tackle & bait shops in Orleans County. For information on waterways, marinas & access points, visit our Grand Waterways page. To begin a search, click on "Search" at the top of the list which will display the search options. Or narrow your search by clicking on the sub-category. Sort our lists by clicking on any of the column headings.
Orleans County Fishing: Tackle & BaitCharterFishing DerbyAll
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Name Address/Phone Type Description Email
Fishing Hotline
  
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Just 4 Fun Charters
Email
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Email
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The Sea Otter
  
Email
Email
Email
Email
  
Email
Tracker Charters
Email
Email
J-Team Charters
Email
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Valley of The Shadow Fishing Charters
Email
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Ontario American Charters
  
Email
  
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Bag Lady Charters
Email
Wishin To Be Fishin Charters
Let It Ride Charters
  
Email
Fish In The Box Charters
  
Email
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Screamin' Reels Charters
  
Email
  
Email
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Archers Club Fall Catch & Release Fly Fishing Contest
Orleans County Rotary Fishing Derby
Email
Oak Orchard River Outfitters
Jeddo Bait and Tackle
  
Email
Outdoor Adventures
  
Eagle Outfitters
Email
Sandy's Oak Orchard Marina
Creekside Grocery and Hardware
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Derby on the Oak Orchard RiverFishing Guides & Charters: Our charter captains & guides are fully insured and licensed by the United States Coast Guard. They provide the rods, reels, lures and state of the art electronics to assure a hassle-free, unforgettable day of trophy fishing.

Our charter captains and guides will also help you find the appropriate lodging to suit your individual needs and lifestyle. Whether it's an efficient and comfortable motel, a quaint bed and breakfast, a cottage on the water, or a fully accommodating campground, Orleans County has your lodging needs covered. [Click here for Lodging & Marinas.]

Charter Checklist
  • Soft, white, rubber-soled boat shoes or sneakersGet Hooked on Orleans County Fishing!
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen lotion and visitors hat
  • Warm clothing, raingear, windbreaker
  • A camera with lots of film and fresh batteries
  • A New York State Fishing License
  • A cooler to keep your catch fresh after leaving the boat
  • Lunch (sandwiches) & beverages
Take Me Fishing: Get information & get going at takemefishing.org
Lake Ontario Fishing

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Favorite Tackle of Orleans County

Trolling the Lake for trophy Salmon & Trout:
  • Dodger/Squid
  • Spin Doctor/Fly
  • Assorted Plugs: Rapala, Bomber, Rebel
  • Cut Bait
  • Spoon Patterns: Watermelon, Spook, Glow Frog, Dolphin
Spinfishing the Tribs for Salmon & Trout:
  • Artificial Eggs
  • Egg Sacks
  • Floating Jig with Mister Twister
  • Woolly Buggers (various colors)
  • Jig & Float

Rainbow FlyFlyfishing the Tribs:

  • Baby Rainbow-Steelhead
  • Frammus-Steelhead
  • Hares Ear Nymphs-Browns
  • Marks Carpetfly-Browns & Steelhead
  • Nuclear Roe Bugs-Brown

Note: For best results in the tributaries, be sure to drift lures & flies near the bottom.
If you don't drift them naturally, you won't hook up!

For fishing conditions, call the Orleans County Tourism Fishing Hotline: (585) 589-3220.

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