Also called Browns · facts last verified October 5, 2026

Brown Trout on Lake America

Brown Trout (Browns) on Lake America (Lake Ontario), NY: current NY DEC regulations, stocking and seasonal pattern, each linked to its source.

Live conditions

Overview

• DEC temperature preference for brown trout: 54-63°F, optimum 58°F. DEC notes "Round gobies are also becoming a prey item for brown trout and lake trout". [dec.ny.gov]

Current regulations (quoted from NY DEC)

• DEC seasons and limits for Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River and tributaries: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout (including Steelhead), Coho Salmon and Chinook Salmon are open "All year", minimum length 15", "except for Rainbow Trout or Steelhead: 21" in the lake and 25" in tributaries". Daily limit: "3 in combination, not to include more than 2 Rainbow Trout (or Steelhead) in the lake, and not to include more than 1 Rainbow Trout (or Steelhead) and 1 Brown Trout in the tributaries". [dec.ny.gov]
• DEC exception: "9" and 3 fish daily for Brown Trout in Irondequoit Creek upstream of the south side of Rte. 286 bridges; Lindsey Creek, and the Black River from Dexter Dam to Mill Street Dam (Jefferson County)". [dec.ny.gov]

Seasonal pattern

• DEC: "Spring time on Lake Ontario generally means fantastic brown trout fishing. Brown trout are found along much of the shoreline. The warmer water along shore or at tributary mouths attracts baitfish." Planer boards are used "early spring ... in shallow water, often less than 15 feet". "As the lake begins to warm, the brown trout start moving farther off shore". [dec.ny.gov]
• DEC: "Later in October and November, brown trout begin to enter Eighteenmile Creek on spawning runs providing Lake Ontario's best streamside brown trout fishing." [dec.ny.gov]

Stocking

• DEC 2023 annual report: 478,763 brown trout stocked against a target of 480,000, "by barge at Stony Point, Mexico, Oswego, and Fairhaven". [dec.ny.gov]
• 2022-2026 stocking strategy annual brown trout target: 480,000, set by site (for example Stony Point 68,800, Mexico Point 45,900, Oswego 35,000, Niagara River 35,000, Oak Orchard 35,000, Hamlin Beach 35,000, Sodus Point 27,600). [extapps.dec.ny.gov]

Charters targeting brown trout

No listed captains target brown trout yet. See the charter directory →

Sources

Every statement on this page comes from one of these primary sources. Last verified October 5, 2026. Regulations change: confirm on the linked DEC page before you fish.

• https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/places-to-fish/great-lakes-niagara-river-st-lawrence-river/trolling-lake-ontario-trout-salmon (verified 2026-10-05)
• https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations/great-lakes-tributaries (verified 2026-10-05)
• https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/places-to-fish/great-lakes-niagara-river-st-lawrence-river/western-lake-ontario (verified 2026-10-05)
• https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2025-02/lakeontarioannualreport.pdf (verified 2026-10-05)
• https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/lostockingstrategy.pdf (verified 2026-10-05)

Where to fish

• All ports
• Wilson
• Olcott
• Rochester
• Sodus Bay
• Oswego
• Henderson Harbor
• Niagara Bar

Other species

• All species
• King Salmon
• Steelhead
• Lake Trout
• Coho Salmon
• Atlantic Salmon
• Walleye
• Smallmouth Bass