Lake Ontario · New York · Salmon
Lake Ontario Salmon Fishing Regulations 2026
Lake Ontario Salmon regulations as of 2026-05-08: Gear Artificial Only; Status Catch And Release; Gear Artificial Only. Sourced from DEC.
Rules (67)
Chautauqua Creek From The Bridge On South Gale St. Upstream 1.3 Miles To The Upper Village Of Westfield Water Intake DamCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Catch and Release only
Eighteenmile Creek (Erie County) Main Branch Of The Creek (Excluding South Branch) Contained Within Eighteenmile Creek County ParkCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Catch and Release only
Eighteenmile CreeksCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Artificial Lures Only
Catch and Release only for trout and salmon in creek sections described below Only Artificial lures can be used in Catch and Release sections
Lake Erie And TributariesOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 12"
- Min size
- 12"
All year in any combination Daily Limit 3 in any combination Minimum Length 12"
Lake OntarioOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
- Min size
- 15"
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
Lake Ontario TributariesOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
- Min size
- 15"
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
Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River, And Their TributariesOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Daily bag
- 3 fish
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
- Min size
- 15"
- Min size
- 25"
All year 3 in combination, not to include more than 2 Rainbow Trout (or Steelhead) Daily Limit 3 in combination, not to include more than 2 Rainbow Trout Minimum Length 15"
Lower Niagara River And TributariesOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
- Min size
- 15"
(Trout & Salmon) in any combination, not to include more than 1 Atlantic Salmon, 2 rainbow trout (steelhead), or 2 Lake Trout
Niagara River - Upper Section
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
St. Lawrence RiverOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Min size
- 15"
- Min size
- 15"
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
Upper Niagara River And TributariesOpen year-round
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season opens
- Jan 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
- Daily bag
- 3 fish/day
in any combination
Also known as
Rules above match the following common names in our regulations database: Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Atlantic Salmon, Salmon/Trout (All Species).
Frequently asked questions
When is Salmon season on Lake Ontario?
Salmon season on Lake Ontario runs from Jan 1 to Dec 31 per DEC.
What is the size limit for Salmon on Lake Ontario?
Minimum size for Salmon on Lake Ontario is 12 inches in Lake Erie And Tributaries. Slot or maximum sizes may apply elsewhere on the water; see the table above.
What is the daily bag limit for Salmon on Lake Ontario?
Daily bag limit for Salmon on Lake Ontario is 3 fish/day in Lake Erie And Tributaries.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch. Last verified .