Oak Orchard State Marine Park
🏆🏆🏆🏆 Lake Ontario Wildlife — Marine park at the mouth of Oak Orchard Creek on Lake Ontario — one of the best fishing spots on the Great Lakes
Oak Orchard State Marine Park sits at the mouth of Oak Orchard Creek where it empties into Lake Ontario — one of the premier fishing destinations on the Great Lakes. The creek draws massive runs of Chinook salmon (up to 30 lbs!), steelhead trout, and brown trout from the lake. Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes by surface area but the 14th largest lake in the world — and its waters never completely freeze in winter because of its great depth (802 feet maximum). The Oak Orchard area was part of the Holland Land Purchase (1792) — one of the largest real estate deals in American history.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Orleans County, NY (Lake Ontario!) |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Fish | Chinook 30 lbs! Steelhead! |
| Lake | Ontario — 802ft deep, never freezes! |
About Oak Orchard
Oak Orchard State Marine Park in Orleans County provides Lake Ontario access at the mouth of Oak Orchard Creek — one of the premier salmon and steelhead tributaries on the Great Lakes. The creek’s annual run of Chinook salmon (20-30+ pounds), steelhead, and brown trout draws anglers from across the Northeast. Lake Ontario’s cold, deep water supports a Pacific salmon fishery that rivals the Pacific Northwest.
Things to Do
Salmon and steelhead fishing (fall Chinook run is spectacular), charter boat fishing on Lake Ontario, boating, birdwatching at the creek mouth, and experiencing Great Lakes salmon fishing.
Insider Tips
Lake Ontario fishing: Oak Orchard Creek is one of the best steelhead and salmon runs on Lake Ontario — fish enter the creek from the lake to spawn. Pro tip: Lake Ontario’s salmon fishery is entirely man-made — Pacific salmon were introduced in the 1960s to control invasive alewife populations. The program created a world-class sport fishery. Niagara Escarpment: The creek drops over the escarpment — the same geological formation that creates Niagara Falls.
Best Time to Visit
Fall: Salmon run — king salmon to 30+ lbs. Spring: Steelhead run. Summer: Lake fishing. Winter: Steelhead in the creek.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Lake Ontario salmon native?
No — Pacific salmon (Chinook, Coho) were introduced to the Great Lakes in the 1960s to control invasive alewife. The program was spectacularly successful — creating a multi-billion-dollar sport fishery across all five Great Lakes. The salmon grow to 20-40 pounds feeding on alewife, then return to tributaries to spawn (and die). Atlantic salmon were native to Lake Ontario but were extirpated by the 1800s. Restoration attempts are ongoing.
Park Location
Top Tours & Activities Near Rochester
from $20
from $29
from $37