Lake Ontario Fish Species

Lake Ontario supports a diverse group of salmonoid fishes—members of the family Salmonidae that include salmon and trout. Many of these species are the focus of active management, stocking, and recreational fisheries. 

 

 

 

🐟 Key Salmonid Species in Lake Ontario

 

 

 

1. Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

 

 

• Origin: Pacific salmon, introduced into Lake Ontario in the 19th century. 

• Status: Now well-established and a cornerstone of the sport fishery.

• Ecology: Adults spend most of the year in the lake, then return to tributary rivers in late summer–fall to spawn. 

• Fishing: Highly prized by anglers for size and fight; stocked heavily (often over a million fish annually in NY waters). 

 

 

 

 

2. Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

 

 

• Origin: Pacific salmon, introduced after Chinook. 

• Status: Smaller and less abundant than Chinook but a major sport fish.

• Ecology: Similar life cycle to Chinook, migrating up tributary streams to spawn in fall. 

• Fishing: Popular for their acrobatic runs and aggressive feeding behavior. 

 

 

 

 

3. Steelhead / Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

 

 

• Steelhead: Anadromous form that swims into rivers to spawn in spring.

• Rainbow trout: Freshwater resident form of the same species.

• Status: Naturalized and often stocked; frequent tributary runs in spring. 

• Ecology: Unlike Pacific salmon, steelhead can spawn multiple times. 

 

 

 

 

4. Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)

 

 

• Origin: Introduced European species that has become established. 

• Status: Present year-round in lake waters, with tributary runs in fall.

• Notes: Known for distinctive spots and angling popularity. 

 

 

 

 

5. Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush)

 

 

• Origin: Native to Lake Ontario and other Great Lakes.

• Status: A traditional native cold-water salmonid historically important to the fishery.

• Ecology: Prefers deep waters; restoration efforts have focused on rebuilding populations affected by past overfishing and invasive species. 

 

 

 

 

6. Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)

 

 

• Origin: Native species to Lake Ontario historically. 

• Status: Extirpated in the 19th–20th century due to habitat loss and pollution.

• Restoration: Ongoing programs aim to reintroduce self-sustaining Atlantic salmon through stocking and habitat improvements in tributaries. 

 

 

 

 

7. Other Trout

 

 

• Brook Trout: Native in some tributaries, often part of conservation stocking programs. 

• Splake: Hybrid between lake trout and brook trout stocked in some waters. 

 

 

 

 

📍 Ecological & Management Notes

 

 

 

Stocking & Natural Reproduction

 

 

Much of Lake Ontario’s salmonid fishery is supported by stocking programs in both Ontario (Canada) and New York (USA). These programs release millions of salmon and trout annually to support recreational fishing and boost populations. 

 

At the same time:

 

• Many stocked Chinook, coho, steelhead, and brown trout now spawn naturally in tributaries. 

• Habitat improvements (e.g., dam removals, pollution control) have helped restore spawning runs in some rivers like the Salmon River in New York. 

 

 

 

 

🧠 Ecology & Food Web

 

 

Salmonids in Lake Ontario occupy high trophic levels, feeding on forage fish like alewife and smelt. The prey base and competition with other species can influence salmonid growth and survival. 

 

 

 

 

🐾 Summary Table

Species

Native?

Main Habitat

Reproduction

Sport Fish?

Chinook Salmon

No (introduced)

Lake & tributaries

Both stocked & wild runs

🎣 Yes

Coho Salmon

No (introduced)

Lake & tributaries

Both stocked & wild runs

🎣 Yes

Steelhead / Rainbow Trout

No (introduced)

Lake & rivers

Wild & stocked

🎣 Yes

Brown Trout

No (introduced)

Lake & rivers

Wild & stocked

🎣 Yes

Lake Trout

Yes

Deep lake waters

Wild (restored)

🎣 Yes

Atlantic Salmon

Yes (restoring)

Tributaries & lake

​

​

Lake Ontario fishing boat charters is the best way to catch these fish!