When anglers talk about the “best” time to fish Lake Ontario, opinions vary depending on target species, port, and personal preference. But for Captain Rob Westcott of Legacy Sportfishing, there’s no debate. If he could fish one month every year, it would be July—and not by a small margin.

In Episode 193 of the Great Lakes Fishing Podcast, hosted by Chris Larsen and co-hosted by Trevor Sumption of Fish Hawk Electronics, Captain Westcott dives deep into what makes mid-summer salmon fishing so special on Lake Ontario’s western basin. From consistent weather and peak fish size to heavy meat programs and offshore temperature breaks, this conversation is a masterclass in understanding how the lake sets up during its most reliable period of the season.

Why July Is the Sweet Spot on Lake Ontario

Captain Westcott fishes out of Bald Eagle Harbor, located in the western to west-central basin of Lake Ontario’s south shore. By mid-summer, he says the lake reaches a point where everything simply works.

“The fish are there. The weather is consistent. The lake sets up the way you want it to,” Westcott explains. “If I could pick one month to fish every year, it would be July.”

Unlike the volatile conditions of spring or the transition periods of late summer and fall, July offers stability. Water temperatures settle into predictable patterns, fish establish consistent holding zones, and anglers can focus more on refining their spread rather than chasing constantly changing conditions.

That consistency doesn’t mean fishing lacks excitement. In fact, July is when salmon are at their absolute peak—big, aggressive, silver fish that are built to fight.

“These are the biggest fish we’ll see all season,” Westcott says. “They’re still silver. They’re still angry. They fight hard. This is the version of a king salmon you want.”

A “Brainless” Bite—In the Best Way Possible

Westcott jokingly refers to mid-summer fishing as “brainless,” but he’s quick to clarify what he means. It’s not easy fishing—it’s productive fishing.

“When everything sets up, the fishing is just phenomenal,” he says. “It’s nice to go out and enjoy success.”

That success comes from understanding how the lake behaves during summer. Stable weather means calmer seas. Predictable thermal structure means fish relate more strongly to temperature than physical structure. And with large populations of salmon concentrated offshore, anglers can focus on maximizing efficiency rather than searching endlessly.

A Heavy Meat Program for Big Kings

When it comes to lure selection, Captain Westcott doesn’t overcomplicate things. In July, his program is dominated by meat rigs.

“If we’re king fishing, at least 75 percent of what we have in the water is cut bait,” he says.

Spoons still play a role, especially early or when fish show a preference, but this is a flasher-meat program designed to target large salmon. The depth range typically falls between 50 and 100 feet down, where big paddles paired with cut bait excel.

Westcott’s typical eight-rod spread includes:

• Three downriggers, with the center rigger carrying the Fish Hawk probe and a meat rig

• Two wire divers, both pulling meat

• Copper lines, all rigged with meat, with the occasional spoon mixed in

While many anglers debate the “best” copper length, Westcott is firm in his answer.

“My best copper throughout the year is a 150 copper,” he says. “It just puts fish in the boat.”

Even when running longer coppers—300, 400, or 500 feet—he pays close attention to where bites occur, if fish start showing up on shorter lines or cheaters, he’s quick to adjust and exploit that zone.

Fishing for Size, Not Just Numbers

Tournament fishing influences many of Westcott’s decisions, especially in summer. While the bite can be steady, his goal isn’t just action—it’s big bites.

“When we’re in tournament mode, we’re looking for size,” he explains. “That heavy meat program is designed for big fish.”

Big paddles, aggressive presentations, and precise depth control all work together to weed out smaller fish and focus on mature kings.

Using Temperature as Structure

One of the most insightful parts of the conversation centers on how Westcott uses Fish Hawk Electronics to find fish in seemingly endless open water.

“In salmon fishing, temperature is your structure,” he says.

Unlike bass fishing, where fish relate to docks or rock piles, Lake Ontario salmon relate to temperature breaks—especially down breaks in the water column. These subtle changes create invisible “edges” that fish use the same way river fish use current seams.

“These breaks might be in 200 feet of water or 500 feet of water,” Westcott explains. “But once you find them, they give fish something to relate to.”

Instead of viewing current and temperature changes as obstacles, Westcott sees them as opportunities. Identifying where these breaks exist helps eliminate water and narrow the search—even if fish aren’t biting immediately.

“Half the battle is finding out where the fish aren’t,” he says. “There’s so much water out here.”

Offshore Confidence and the “When in Doubt, Troll Out” Philosophy

As summer progresses and the sun gets higher, Westcott becomes increasingly confident in offshore water.

“In high sun, I’m offshore,” he says without hesitation.

Using his Fish Hawk probe, he typically sets his center rigger in the mid-40-degree range, often around 45–46 degrees, and fishes upward from there. That temperature zone consistently holds active fish during midsummer.

While there may still be salmon inside in 100 feet of water, Westcott believes offshore fish remain active longer throughout the day.

“Those inside fish tend to get lazy,” he says. “They get beat up by boat traffic.”

His approach is simple: start shallow early if conditions allow, then slide offshore as the day progresses.

“If you run offshore first thing in the morning, it can be slow,” he notes. “But once that early bite shuts down, we’re pointing the boat out.”

Cut Bait Details: What, How, and Why

When it comes to cut bait, Westcott sticks with Pacific herring, fully filleted for maximum action and durability.

“It’s got great shine, a natural look, and it holds up well in the lake,” he explains.

While natural presentation is key, he isn’t afraid to experiment. Homemade brines, subtle color additions, and glow elements all play a role depending on light conditions and fish mood.

Learning the Lake Never Stops

Despite decades on the water, Westcott emphasizes humility when it comes to Lake Ontario.

“The more you think you know, the less you probably do,” he says.

Conditions change daily, sometimes hourly. Success comes from staying observant, trusting electronics, and enjoying the process of learning—even when that means eliminating water rather than stacking rods.

That mindset, combined with a disciplined summer program, is what makes July such a special time for Captain Rob Westcott and his clients.

And for anglers chasing peak-season kings on Lake Ontario, his message is clear: find the temperature, trust the meat, and don’t be afraid to troll out.