The lake is known for its salmon fishery, and salmon fishing on Lake Ontario is considered second only to that on the British Columbia coast.

Chinook or King Salmon

Chinook, or king salmon were introduced to Lake Ontario in the 1960s, and they’ve thrived in the lake's ecosystem, creating an excellent sport fishery. Sought for their hard-fighting nature, delicious flavor and size, Lake Ontario Chinook salmon can reach up to 30 pounds, making them a popular target for anglers. New York State stocks approximately 1.7 million king salmon annually in Lake Ontario and its tributaries.

Coho Salmon

Although smaller than Chinook salmon, Coho salmon are feisty fighters, known for their acrobatic leaps when hooked. They are not a native fish species to Lake Ontario, but were introduced in 1969 to support the lake’s salmon fishery. Some natural reproduction does occur in the lake; however, stocking of hatchery-raised fish is done annually. These sough-after sport fish feature a beautiful silver color and average 7-9 pounds.