Also called Lakers · facts last verified
Lake Trout on Lake America
Lake Trout (Lakers) on Lake America (Lake Ontario), NY: current NY DEC regulations, stocking and seasonal pattern, each linked to its source.
Live conditions
Olcott
Olcott · Niagara County
56.7°F
water
via West Lake America
Level245.23 ft
ObservedNov 4, 4:06pm
Rochester
Rochester · Monroe County
55.4°F
water
via East Lake America
Level245.1 ft
ObservedNov 4, 4:06pm
Oswego
Oswego · Oswego County
57°F
water
via Oswego Nearshore
WindSE 2.9 mph
Gusts9.9 mph
Level245.14 ft
ObservedNov 4, 4:00pm
Cape Vincent
Cape Vincent · Jefferson County
55.6°F
water
WindS 1.6 mph
Gusts5.8 mph
Level244.93 ft
ObservedNov 4, 4:06pm
Overview
- DEC: "Lake trout are native to Lake Ontario and prefer colder water than the other salmonids. Lake trout are often found close to bottom ... They are often called the 'bread and butter' fish for the guides". Temperature preference 42-52°F, optimum 48°F. [dec.ny.gov]
Current regulations (quoted from NY DEC)
- DEC: Lake Trout open season "December 1 - September 30", daily limit 2, no minimum length "(except no more than 1 shall be between 25" and 30")". [dec.ny.gov]
- DEC: harvest season December 1 - September 30 means lake trout may not be kept from October 1 through November 30. [dec.ny.gov]
Seasonal pattern
- DEC temperature preference of 42-52°F places lake trout in colder water than Chinook (52-58°F) and coho (52-58°F) in the same lake. [dec.ny.gov]
Stocking
- DEC 2023 annual report: 322,578 lake trout stocked against a target of 320,000, "by barge at Stony Point, Oswego, Oak Orchard, and Wilson". [dec.ny.gov]
- 2022-2026 stocking strategy: lake trout 320,000 per year, 80,000 per site on a rotation (Olcott and Stony Point every year; Oak Orchard, Sodus and Oswego in alternate years). [extapps.dec.ny.gov]
Charters targeting lake trout
No listed captains target lake trout yet. See the charter directory →
Sources
Every statement on this page comes from one of these primary sources. Last verified . 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/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)
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From the blog
- Lake Ontario Fishing Regulations & Limits by Species October 29, 2026 — Lake Ontario fishing regulations by species: NYS DEC limits, sizes and seasons for trout, salmon, bass and more, plus Salmon River fall rules.