Lake Ontario is famous for its salmon fishing. Among the many species in these waters, the chinook or Pacific salmon top the scales, many reaching well over 30 lb. (13.6 kg).
(Note: Atlantic salmon are being reintroduced into Lake Ontario through the Bring Back the Salmon restoration program. Due to the importance of Atlantic salmon to our waterways, they are catch and release only.)
Known for their brilliant leaps when hooked, anglers enjoy catching world-class steelhead in Lake Ontario. The average Lake Ontario steelhead weighs-in at 6-8 lb. (2.7-3.6 kg), although trophy steelhead weighing over 20 lb. (9 kg) are not uncommon.
Fish Species Found in Northumberland
For more than 20 years, the Great Ontario Salmon Derby has been running across the north shore of Lake Ontario.
Overall, 10 weigh-in stations attract more than 22,000 participants over a 57 day period.
Cobourg Marina, located in Northumberland County, serves as an official weigh-in station.