Lake Ontario Steelhead – When Lightning Strikes Twice

Lake Ontario SteelHead
Frank Milone from NJ and Capt. Bill Saiff with Franks 20 lb brown trout taken from just four feet of water!

Lake Ontario Steelhead, have a legendary reputation for delivering unforgettable experiences, even to the most seasoned anglers. Over my 33 years of fishing professionally on the Lake Ontario waters, I’ve witnessed countless magical moments that speak to the lake’s endless potential. Yet, each trip holds the promise of new surprises, particularly in the dynamic and unpredictable spring season. Few places rival Lake Ontario’s freshwater fishing, and April, a month of renewal and vibrant activity, offers some of the most exciting opportunities along its southern shores.

April 2014

April 2014 proved to be a banner year for Frank Milone, a dedicated angler from New Jersey with nearly three decades of experience on Lake Ontario. Frank’s connection to the lake runs deep, beginning at age 19 when his parents first introduced him to its wonders. What started as a family tradition soon blossomed into a lifelong passion, shaping his journey as an angler.

Now 46 and a father himself, Frank has embraced the joy of sharing this legacy with his children. On a special April day, his bond with Lake Ontario came full circle, creating new memories that would resonate for years to come.

Unforgettable Fishing Memory

Fishing isn’t just about the catch—it’s about the stories, surprises, and moments of awe that stay with you forever. For Frank and his family, late April 2014 delivered one of those unforgettable days, filled with excitement, adrenaline, and an extraordinary catch that became part of their fishing lore.

Late April Brown Trout

The setting was the famed brown trout waters just west of Pultneyville, NY. Spring fishing along Lake Ontario’s southern shore was nothing short of spectacular that year, with a mix of brown trout and coho salmon lighting up the trolling lines. Some browns tipped the scales at over 10 pounds, but with action this hot, Frank and his crew grew selective about what went into the cooler.

Fishing close to shore in 7 to 8 feet of water, the boat utilized planer boards to work the skinny waters effectively. The rods were rigged with Michigan Stinger spoons in a combination of fluorescent and gold patterns, perfectly suited to the lake’s conditions. High winds from the previous day had turned the shoreline waters a vivid sea green—a telltale sign that browns would be on the bite.

With just four rods in play, the action was relentless. Triple hookups became the norm as the boat made its way west toward Bear Creek, with each fish adding to an already epic day on the water.

At the Speed of 2.8 Knots…

As we neared the estuary at Bear Creek, we set our speed to a steady 2.8 knots. Recent rains had swollen the small stream, and we could see a muddy plume spreading into the lake’s otherwise sea-green waters. The murky waters ahead promised to hold aggressive fish, eager for our metallic lures. Throughout the morning, I had been filming the fish fights, and as we approached the discolored waters, I kept the camera ready, anticipating the next strike.

We slid the inside board into the creek’s murky waters. The boat danced in and out of the plume, and as our baits reached the discolored water, the inside planer rod bent under the weight of a solid fish. Frank, ever alert, made a beeline for the rod, but just as he was about to reach it, the “weight rod” doubled over with a punishing strike. He quickly shifted his focus and grabbed the “weight rod” instead, as the powerful fish began to peel off line.

I knew immediately this was going to be an epic battle, and I decided to let the planer rod hang in its holder. Our full attention was needed for the fish on the weight rod, especially if it was the monster I suspected.

The Fish Takes the Bait

The fish had struck a hammered 57 Chevy Michigan Stinger, trolling right down the boat’s prop wash. The weight rod was deployed as a flat line on each side of the boat. We set it by first letting out 60 feet of line, pinching on a ¼ ounce split shot, and then paying out another 60 feet. The disturbance caused by the prop wash seems to draw in brown trout, and over the years, we’ve caught some of our largest fish using this technique.

A fierce, seesaw battle ensued over the next 15 minutes. Finally, the golden hues of the fish came into view. Frank expertly maneuvered the fish up the starboard side of the boat, and we were able to dip the giant into the net, ending what had been an exhilarating fight—captured in its entirety on video. The big brown weighed just over 20 pounds.

We took plenty of photos, marveling at this once-in-a-lifetime fish. What made it even more special was the fact that we had caught it in just 4 feet of water. Typically, 20-pound-plus browns are caught in late May or June after they’ve had a couple of months to feed on alewives and smelt. But to land a fish of this size in April—an extremely rare event—and capture it all on film, was something truly extraordinary.

Our Day Two

On day two, the water was still green along the shoreline as we set our rods the moment we left the Pultneyville Marina. Joining me on the back deck of the Saiff Charter #5 was veteran Saiff Charter mate, David Wright. Dave is one of the best spring fishermen in our fleet, and his expertise would prove invaluable as the day unfolded.

We spent the day trolling west towards the Ginna nuclear plant and then made our way back east toward the marina. The action was fast and furious as we caught and released over 50 brown trout and coho salmon. We continued filming and snapping photos, especially of Frank’s sons, Frank Jr. and TJ, who were worn out from the non-stop action. They had been catching and releasing fish all day, but we were nearing the end of our excursion, their enthusiasm still high despite the fatigue.

Big Fishing On Lake Ontario

The Saiff Lightning 2
Frank’s 17lb 8 oz steelhead taken on an orange Michigan Stinger trolled at 2. 8 knots!

Frank’s 17lb 8oz steelhead—caught on an orange Michigan Stinger—trolled at 2.8 knots, proved that Lake Ontario’s waters still hold surprises for even the most seasoned anglers.

In the pocket just west of Pultneyville, an inside rod suddenly tipped over, signaling a bite. The fish had struck a vibrant orange Michigan Stinger with a Black/Glo ladderback pattern. Frank’s boys, exhausted from hours of fishing, deferred to their father, and Frank Sr. quickly grabbed the rod.

The excitement mounted as Dave shouted that the fish was crossing from the starboard to port side, risking a tangle in our eight lines. I swiftly cleared the outside board, giving the fish plenty of room to maneuver. The powerful fish spun back toward the starboard side and flashed its brilliant silver as it crossed the transom.

Frank bent into the rod, bowing under the strain as the fish made run after run. Though it never breached the cold water, Dave speculated that it was as big as a Lake Ontario steelhead or an Atlantic salmon.

As the fish neared the transom, its deep green back confirmed our suspicions: we were locked into a true steelhead. With lightning speed, the fish shot up the side of the boat, and Dave lunged with the net, expertly positioning it just as the steelhead rocketed into the webbing.

Two Trophy Fish in Lake Ontario

Once on board, we weighed the jumbo steelhead at 17 ½ pounds—two trophy trout in two days, and both caught by the same angler! Frank’s smile stretched from ear to ear as he marveled at his incredible luck. Sharing the experience with his two sons made it even more special, and it was a moment they would all remember for a lifetime.

The role of the internet in Lake Ontario fishing has grown tremendously, influencing how anglers approach outdoor sports. With countless tips and tactics shared across websites and platforms like YouTube, even seasoned fishermen can find valuable insights. While nothing compares to hands-on experience, the internet is an excellent tool for pointing you in the right direction.

The Best Way to Know Everything About Lake Ontario Fishing Charters

Magazines like Lake Ontario Outdoors Magazine are now available online, with past articles accessible to help refine your fishing techniques. The Bill Saiff channel on YouTube is packed with videos showcasing various Great Lakes trolling techniques. By subscribing to such channels, anglers can receive notifications whenever a new video is posted—keeping them up to date on all things happening on Lake Ontario.

I spoke with Lake Ontario Outdoors Magazine editor Troy Creasy, who, as a fellow charter captain, truly appreciated how rare it is for the same angler to land two trophy fish in one trip. What makes it even more remarkable is that it was a seasoned veteran with countless fishing trips under his belt.

How Big is That Fish?!

It’s often the case that when a big fish, like a coho salmon, is caught, it’s by a first-time angler or someone who doesn’t yet understand just how significant that catch really is. Frank’s two big fish had him grinning from ear to ear, but as an outfitter, it warmed my heart to see such a great client experiencing the best of what Lake Ontario has to offer.

Both fish will soon be immortalized in reproductions by Charles Rawson of Charles’ Taxidermy in Dexter, NY. These remarkable trophies will be displayed at the Westview Lodge in Henderson Harbor, NY this summer. Their prominent placement will ensure that future visitors can admire the impressive feats of angling that Lake Ontario is known for.

From now on, when Frank hears the phrase “When lightning strikes twice,” he’ll know exactly what it means.

Original Article By Capt Bill Saiff III

About The Author

Capt. Bill Saiff III owns and operates the Saiff Charter Fleet in Henderson Harbor, NY. For more information, visit the team online at BillSaiffOutdoors.com

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