Half Day Lake Michigan Salmon Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fivehour private afternoon charter targeting Chinook and Coho salmonProfessional equipment and expert guidance provided for all skill levelsAccommodates up to six guests with valid fishing licenses required
Captain Ted knows where the fish are biting, and this five-hour afternoon charter on Lake Michigan puts you right in the action. Starting at 2 PM, you'll target active schools of Chinook and Coho salmon along with hard-fighting steelhead in some of the Great Lakes' most productive waters. Whether you're new to salmon fishing or you've been chasing kings for years, this top-rated charter provides everything you need for a successful day on the water. With room for up to six anglers, high-end gear included, and a captain who lives and breathes these waters, you're set up for the kind of fishing stories that get better every time you tell them.
Your afternoon starts at the dock where Captain Ted will get you rigged up with professional-grade rods, reels, and the specialized tackle that makes all the difference when you're after Great Lakes salmon. These fish don't mess around, and neither does the equipment. The boat heads out to where the fish are staging, usually in 60 to 120 feet of water where temperature breaks and baitfish congregations create perfect hunting grounds for salmon and steelhead. You'll spend your time working the thermocline where cold lake water meets warmer surface layers – that's where these fish love to cruise and feed. The captain reads the electronics, watches for bird activity, and positions the boat where years of experience say the fish should be. All skill levels are welcome here, so don't worry if you've never fought a 20-pound chinook before – that's what makes this such a great learning experience.
Lake Michigan salmon fishing is all about trolling with precision, and Captain Ted runs a tight operation with downriggers, planer boards, and lead core setups that put your baits exactly where they need to be. You'll be pulling spoons, plugs, and cut bait through the strike zone at specific speeds and depths that change throughout the day as fish move and feeding patterns shift. The downriggers get your lures down to where salmon are holding in the cooler water, while planer boards spread lines out wide to cover more water and avoid spooking fish with the boat's presence. Don't be surprised if you're running six to eight lines at once – that's standard practice for productive Great Lakes trolling. When a rod tip starts dancing and line starts screaming off the reel, you'll know why this style of fishing gets so addictive. The captain handles all the technical stuff like lure selection, speed control, and reading the fish finder, so you can focus on fighting fish and enjoying the experience.
Chinook salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan for good reason – these powerful fish can push 30 pounds and will test every ounce of your fishing skills. They show up in good numbers from late spring through fall, staging in deeper water during summer heat and moving shallower as temperatures drop. When you hook a king salmon, expect a battle that includes screaming runs, head shakes that'll rattle your teeth, and jumps that seem impossible for a fish that size. They're aggressive feeders that love spoons and cut alewives, making them perfect targets for trolling presentations.
Coho salmon bring a different kind of excitement with their acrobatic fights and willingness to jump clear out of the water multiple times during the battle. These silver bullets typically run 8 to 15 pounds and are incredibly fun on lighter tackle. Coho stay active closer to the surface compared to chinook, especially during dawn and dusk feeding periods. They're known for their speed and agility, making spectacular runs that'll have you wondering how something so relatively small can be so strong.
Steelhead trout are pound-for-pound some of the hardest fighting fish in the Great Lakes, with an attitude that's part salmon, part rainbow trout, and all business. These chrome-bright fish average 6 to 12 pounds but fight like they're twice that size. Steelhead are notorious for their long runs and acrobatic displays, often clearing the water multiple times during a fight. They can be finicky feeders, making them a rewarding challenge for experienced anglers while still being catchable for newcomers when they're in an aggressive mood.
Rainbow trout in Lake Michigan grow fat and strong on the abundant alewife populations, creating fish that are both beautiful and hard-fighting. These trout often mix with salmon schools and provide steady action when the bigger fish are being temperamental. Lake-run rainbows develop the silver coloration similar to steelhead and pack on serious weight in the nutrient-rich waters of the Great Lakes.
Lake trout are the native heavyweights of these waters, with some specimens reaching impressive sizes in the deeper, colder parts of the lake. While not as aggressive as salmon, lakers are strong, steady fighters that often surprise anglers with their size and power. They prefer deeper water and cooler temperatures, making them available year-round for anglers willing to target the specific depths and structures they call home.
This customer favorite afternoon charter gives you five solid hours on some of the most productive salmon waters in the Great Lakes system. Captain Ted's local expertise, combined with professional equipment and a boat that's rigged for serious fishing, creates the kind of experience that turns good days into great memories. Remember to bring your valid Michigan fishing license and dress in layers since lake conditions can change quickly. The 2 PM departure time puts you on the water during prime afternoon feeding periods when salmon are active and aggressive. With space for six anglers and all tackle provided, this world-class fishing opportunity is ready when you are. Book your spot now and get ready to experience why Lake Michigan salmon fishing keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan, averaging 15-25 pounds with some pushing 30+. These bruisers prefer deep, cold water and stay down in the depths during bright daylight - they're light-sensitive and will hug the bottom structure. Summer finds them in 80-150 feet, following the thermocline where baitfish concentrate. What makes kings special is their sheer power and the challenge of landing one. They're bulldogs that'll test your drag and your patience. The payoff is incredible - that rich, red meat is as good as it gets. Early morning and evening are prime times when they'll move up to feed. Here's a guide secret: when kings are being finicky, try running your lures 20-30 feet behind the downrigger ball instead of right at it. That extra separation often triggers strikes from spooky fish.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon average 8-12 pounds in Lake Michigan but can push over 20 pounds during peak runs. These silver rockets are known for their acrobatic jumps - they can leap 6 feet straight up when hooked. You'll find them in 40-80 feet of water during summer, following baitfish schools along temperature breaks. Late summer through fall is when they really turn on as they stage for their spawning runs. What makes cohos so popular is their aggressive strikes and that bright orange meat that's perfect for the grill. They're also more willing to bite than their bigger chinook cousins. My go-to tip for cohos: when you mark fish on the sonar, drop your downrigger balls 10 feet below where you're seeing them. They often suspend just under the schools, waiting to ambush stragglers.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water specialists of the Great Lakes, typically running 15-25 pounds with some real giants over 40 pounds lurking in the depths. These grey-green fish with cream-colored spots live in 100+ feet of water most of the year, only coming shallow right after ice-out. They're slow-growing and can live decades, making big ones true trophies. What draws anglers to lake trout is the challenge of finding them in deep water and their steady, powerful fight once hooked. The meat is excellent - firm and flaky with a mild flavor. Spring offers the best shallow water action, but they bite year-round if you're willing to go deep. Pro tip: when jigging in deep water, work your lure in 10-foot lifts then let it flutter down on a semi-slack line. Lakers often hit on the drop.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout typically run 12-16 inches in Lake Michigan's tributaries, with that distinctive pink stripe and spotted back making them easy to identify. They prefer cooler water temps around 55-65°F and hang out near structure like fallen logs or undercut banks. Spring and fall are prime times when they're most active and feeding heavily. What makes them special is their scrappy fight - they'll jump and make quick runs that test your drag. Plus, they're excellent eating with that mild, slightly nutty flavor. Here's a local trick: when the water's cold, fish your bait just off the bottom rather than right on it. They tend to suspend a foot or two up, and that small adjustment can make the difference between a slow day and filling your cooler.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that spend time in the big lake, growing larger and stronger than their stream-bound cousins. These chrome-bright fighters average 24 inches but can stretch to 35+ inches and really pack a punch. In Lake Michigan, they cruise the deeper waters during summer, then move shallow in spring and fall. What sets steelhead apart is their stamina - they'll make long, powerful runs that'll test your equipment and patience. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the lake with firm, pink meat. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're staging near river mouths. Here's something most folks don't know: steelhead are light-sensitive, so your best shots are early morning, late evening, or overcast days when they'll come up in the water column to feed.
Lake Michigan