Weekend Salmon and Trout Charter on Lake Michigan
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Weekend Lake Michigan salmon and trout fishing chartersSix or ninehour guided trips from SheboyganAll tackle included with fish size guarantees available
When you're serious about landing some serious fish, there's nothing quite like a weekend charter on Lake Michigan out of Sheboygan. This isn't your typical half-day outing – we're talking 6 to 9 hours of dedicated fishing time during the absolute prime window when salmon and trout are most active. From Friday through Sunday, when most folks are stuck at their desks, you'll be out here working the thermoclines and structure where the big fish live. Angling Only Guide Service has this dialed in perfectly, targeting Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, and lake trout during the peak season from May through August when these fish are feeding heavy and putting up fights that'll test your drag system.
Your day starts early at the Sheboygan harbor, where you'll meet your guide who knows these waters like the back of their hand. The extended 6 to 9-hour window gives us serious flexibility – we're not rushing to get lines in the water or pulling them too early when the bite's just starting to turn on. This is perfect for beginners who need time to learn the ropes and seasoned anglers who want to work multiple spots and depths. The boat comes fully rigged with all the rods, reels, and tackle you'll need, from downriggers to planer boards to copper line setups. You'll spend most of your time trolling at various depths, following the baitfish and temperature breaks where salmon and trout stack up. Pack your Wisconsin fishing license with the Great Lakes Salmon/Trout stamp – make sure it's a paper copy, not digital. Bring rub-on sunscreen (spray stuff creates a mess on the deck), layers for changing weather, and pack your food in soft coolers that won't bang up the boat.
Lake Michigan fishing is all about covering water and finding the right depth where fish are holding. Your guide will run a spread of downriggers, typically setting lines anywhere from 15 feet down to 150 feet, depending on where the fish are showing on the electronics. You'll be pulling spoons, flasher/fly combinations, and plugs behind various attractors at speeds between 2.5 and 3.5 mph. The key is reading the fish finder and temperature probe – salmon and trout relate heavily to temperature breaks and baitfish schools. When we mark fish, we'll make multiple passes through the area, adjusting lure colors, speeds, and depths until we dial in the pattern. The downrigger system lets us put lures exactly where the fish are suspended, while planer boards spread the lines out to cover more water. Don't worry if you've never run this kind of setup before – your guide will handle the technical stuff and coach you through the fights when fish hit.
Chinook salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan for good reason – these fish routinely hit 20-30 pounds and will absolutely smoke your drag on the initial run. They're most active during the early morning and evening hours, often holding in 80-120 feet of water during summer months. Kings are aggressive feeders and will hit everything from large spoons to meat rigs, making them perfect targets for extended charter trips. The fight is what makes these fish legendary – they'll run deep, jump clear of the water, and test every knot in your system. Peak season runs from late May through July, with fish staging near structure and following baitfish schools.
Coho salmon bring pure acrobatics to the table, jumping repeatedly and making blistering surface runs that'll have you scrambling for the net. These silver bullets typically run 5-12 pounds and prefer slightly shallower water than kings, often found in the top 60 feet of the water column. Cohos are incredibly aggressive and will hit bright spoons and plugs with authority. They're most active during overcast conditions and low-light periods, making them perfect targets during those extended weekend sessions. The best action typically happens from June through August when they're feeding heavily on alewives.
Lake trout are the steady producers when salmon fishing gets tough, offering consistent action and excellent table fare. These deep-water specialists often hold in 100+ feet of water near bottom structure, making them perfect targets when we're working the downriggers deep. Lakers can range from 3-15 pounds, with larger fish becoming more common as the season progresses into late summer. They're not the most acrobatic fighters, but they're bulldogs that will test your patience with long, steady pulls. Lake trout bite consistently throughout the day, making them excellent backup options when salmon activity slows during midday hours.
This weekend charter delivers exactly what serious anglers want – extended time on productive water with an experienced guide who knows how to put you on fish. The 2026 fish guarantee shows how confident they are in their program, offering significant discounts on future trips based on the size of fish you land. With the base price covering up to 4 anglers and options to add up to 6 total guests at $30 each, it's a solid value for groups looking to make the most of their weekend. Peak season books up fast, especially the weekend slots when working folks can actually get out on the water. If you're ready to experience world-class salmon and trout fishing on one of the Great Lakes' most productive fisheries, this is your chance to fish with guides who live and breathe these waters year-round.
Get ready to chase trophy salmon and trout aboard our freshly renovated 28' Baja Cruiser! This single-engine cabin cruiser was completely redone in 2025 and rigged specifically for Lake Michigan's big fish. We'll cruise the waters at a steady 10mph, giving you plenty of time to work different depths and find where the Chinooks and Cohos are hiding. The boat comfortably handles up to 6 anglers, but we keep groups to 4 for the best fishing experience. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting started, this setup gives you everything you need to land some serious Lake Michigan fish during those prime weekend hours when the salmon are most active.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKings are the heavyweights of Lake Michigan, running 15-30 pounds with some giants pushing even bigger. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted backs and tails love the deeper, cooler water during summer months - we'll typically find them 60-120 feet down. May through August gives us prime fishing, especially early morning and evening when they're most active. What makes Kings special is their raw power combined with that pink-orange meat that's pure gold on the dinner table. They'll test your drag and your patience, but that's what makes landing one so rewarding. Pro tip: when trolling spoons or plugs, vary your speed every few minutes - that speed change often triggers strikes from fish that have been following your lures.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCohos are the acrobats of the salmon world - these silver rockets average 8-12 pounds and will jump clean out of the water when hooked. You'll find them in the top 40-60 feet of water, cruising for baitfish along temperature breaks. Peak season runs May through August, with dawn and dusk being magic hours. What makes Cohos special is their aerial show and that bright orange meat that's as good as it gets. They're aggressive feeders and known for their spectacular fights - expect multiple jumps and screaming runs. Here's a tip that works well out of Sheboygan: when using spoons, add a small dodger about 3 feet up your line. That extra flash and action drives Cohos crazy, especially on bright days when they can be finicky.
Salvelinus NamaycushLakers are the deep-water natives of the Great Lakes, typically running 5-15 pounds but capable of much more. These grey-green fish with cream-colored spots prefer the coldest water we can find - often 80-150 feet deep in summer. Spring and fall are prime time when they move shallower, but we catch them year-round by going deep. What sets them apart is their fight in deep water and that firm, mild meat that's perfect for the grill. They're not as flashy as salmon, but they're consistent biters and great eating. The key with Lakers is staying vertical - when jigging, keep your line straight down and work that jig with short, sharp lifts. They often hit on the drop, so watch your line closely for any subtle changes.
Sheboygan, WI