LOTSA Salmon School

LOTSA Salmon School - Sold Out!

LOTSA Salmon School - Sold Out!

The Lake Ontario Trout & Salmon Association (LOTSA) is proud to host its in-depth Salmon School during the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo. This highly acclaimed school, now in its 17th year, has become the premier Salmon School anywhere in the Great Lakes. What started out as a local event now attracts many experienced salmon anglers from around the Great Lakes and Canada. This school is hosted during the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo, February 25-28, 2027, at the Niagara Falls Convention Center in downtown Niagara Falls, NY. 

The 2027 LOTSA Salmon School instructors have been selected and include Capt. Dan Keating and Capt. Anthony Ellis. Dan and Anthony will provide an in-depth look at how they utilize their electronics on the water, along with the mental strategies they use to prepare for each trip. They'll discuss their decision-making process in real time, how they adapt to changing conditions, and the lessons they take away from every outing. By analyzing both their successes and challenges, they'll show how continuous learning and refinement help them become more effective and consistent anglers. Their focus will be on catching mature kings during the three main (open lake) Lake Ontario salmon fishing periods: May, June-July, and August-September. 

Salmon School Ticket Details & Pricing

The school consists of over seven hours of detailed instruction and activities over the course of three days.

Registration is $130 and includes the following:

  • Admission to the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo for all four days
  • 2027 LOTSA Membership
  • A light dinner with drinks at the Salmon School Social on Friday, February 26
  • A hot buffet lunch, plus beverages on Saturday, February 27
  • A "Captain's Bag" with a variety of the instructors' go-to baits
  • The opportunity to win door prizes, including thousands of dollars' worth of salmon gear and tackle

    • Schedule Overview

    The LOTSA Salmon School begins on Friday, February 26, and ends on Sunday, February 28, 2027. All activities, including the Greater Niagara Fishing Expo, are held at the state-of-the-art Niagara Falls Convention Center in downtown Niagara Falls, NY.

    Friday, February 26 | 4:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Opening presentations from the DEC Lake Ontario Fisheries Managers with their latest salmon management information and from the instructors highlighting their 2026 season, followed by Salmon Social. The Salmon Social provides attendees the opportunity to meet the instructors and network with fellow anglers. Free food and drinks provided.

    Saturday, February 27 | 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.  Check-in begins at 7 a.m., while instruction begins at 8 a.m. Attendees will enjoy detailed salmon-catching presentations until 4:30 p.m., with a provided hot buffet lunch break.

    Sunday, February 28 | 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. The LOTSA Salmon School concludes with an open Q&A session with the instructors to cover any remaining questions that attendees may have.

    Bios

    Meet the Salmon School Speakers

    Meet the Salmon School Speakers

    Captain Dan Keating

    Since childhood, Captain Dan Keating has passionately pursued salmon and trout, turning a hobby into one of the most respected careers in big water fishing. Today, Dan brings a lifetime of experience and wisdom about catching salmon and trout into the classroom. Dan isn't just teaching fishing - he's teaching a proven system built over a lifetime on the water. Known as a pioneer, innovator, and one of the foremost authorities in Great Lakes salmon fishing, Dan has authored five books (dubbed by Amazon readers as "The Salmon Fisherman's Bible"), produced 2 DVDs, led hundreds of seminars, speaks to thousands of anglers at his Salmon Schools, and coaches anglers throughout the season. He has built a reputation for making the complex puzzle of big lake fishing finally make sense. From 36 years of full-time charter fishing, Dan has learned to catch fish under all weather conditions - even when others couldn't.

    bios2

    Capt. Anthony Ellis

    Capt. Anthony Ellis

    Captain Anthony Ellis is a well-known Lake Ontario charter captain based in Olcott, New York, and the owner/operator of Redemption Sportfishing Charters, a highly regarded salmon fishing service on the south shore of Lake Ontario. Anthony Ellis developed a passion for fishing at a very young age. He began fishing Lake Ontario as a child - reportedly getting hooked on the sport after landing a 34.5-pound King (Chinook) salmon at just 10 years old. Before becoming a full-time charter captain, Ellis served his community as a firefighter and paramedic, eventually retiring from that career and transitioning into professional sportfishing. Captain Ellis brings over three decades of experience fishing Lake Ontario. His expertise centers on salmon fishing, trolling techniques, and covering large areas of water. Through Redemption Sportfishing Charters, Captain Ellis offers guided fishing trips tailored to anglers of all skill levels - from beginners to experienced fishermen.

    Lake Ontario - particularly out of Olcott - is widely considered one of the premier freshwater salmon fisheries in North America, and Ellis has spent decades mastering it. Captain Anthony Ellis is a veteran Lake Ontario angler turned professional charter captain whose lifelong passion for salmon fishing evolved into a successful guiding business. With deep roots in the Olcott fishing community, a background in public service, and decades of on-the-water experience, he has become a respected figure in Great Lakes sportfishing - especially for those seeking trophy salmon and a hands-on charter experience.