Family Lake Michigan Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fivehour family fishing adventure on Lake Michigan watersLight tackle fishing targets Salmon, Trout, and Whitefish speciesCaptain Bob accommodates up to three guests per trip
Captain Bob's half-day fishing trip on Lake Michigan brings families together for five solid hours of angling action that gets everyone hooked. This isn't your typical charter where kids sit bored in the corner – it's designed from the ground up to give every member of your crew, from the youngest to the most experienced angler, a real shot at landing some serious fish. With light tackle that's perfect for smaller hands and patient instruction that makes even first-timers feel confident, you'll be trolling the productive waters where Salmon, Trout, and Whitefish cruise year-round.
Your group of up to three will meet Captain Bob at the marina, where he'll get everyone fitted with life jackets and walk through the basics before heading out to his favorite spots. Lake Michigan's got some of the most consistent fishing in the Great Lakes, and Bob knows exactly where to find the schools based on water temperature, time of year, and recent catches. The boat's equipped with all the rods, reels, and tackle you'll need – no need to drag your own gear along. He keeps things relaxed but focused, making sure everyone gets their turn at the rod when fish start hitting. Between the action, you'll have snacks and beverages to keep energy levels up, and the scenic views of the shoreline don't hurt either. When it's time to head back, Bob handles all the fish cleaning so you can take home a cooler full of fresh fillets without the messy work.
Captain Bob runs a trolling operation that covers serious water to find where the fish are holding. You'll be pulling spoons, plugs, and sometimes live bait behind the boat at different depths using downriggers and planer boards. The light tackle setup means when a fish hits, you'll feel every run and jump – especially important for kids who might get discouraged fighting a fish on heavy gear for twenty minutes. Bob adjusts the drag and coaches everyone through the fight, so whether it's a scrappy Coho or a chunky Lake Trout, you'll have the best shot at getting it to the net. The boat covers structure like drop-offs, reefs, and temperature breaks where predator fish ambush baitfish. GPS and fish finders help locate schools, but Bob's decades of experience reading water conditions and fish behavior make the real difference in putting you on productive water.
Chinook Salmon are the heavyweight champions of Lake Michigan, and they're what most anglers dream about hooking. These fish can push 20-30 pounds and fight like they're twice that size, making long runs and jumping clear of the water. Spring through fall offers the best shot at Kings, especially when they're feeding heavily before their spawning runs. The initial strike feels like getting hit by a freight train, and the fight can last fifteen minutes or more even on lighter tackle. Kids absolutely love the chaos and excitement when a big Chinook decides to go airborne right next to the boat.
Lake Trout provide steady action throughout most of the season and make excellent table fare with their firm, mild flesh. These native fish hang out in deeper, cooler water and can range from a few pounds up to trophy sizes over 20 pounds. They're strong fighters but more predictable than salmon, making them perfect for teaching proper rod handling and pumping techniques. Lakers are also some of the best eating fish you'll find in the Great Lakes, with meat that's perfect for the grill or smoker.
Cisco and Lake Whitefish might not have the glamour of salmon, but they're incredibly fun on light tackle and absolutely delicious. Whitefish are known as the "bread and butter" of Great Lakes commercial fishing for good reason – they're consistently abundant and their sweet, flaky meat is prized by chefs. They typically run 2-5 pounds, which is perfect size for kids to handle from hookup to landing. Cisco are smaller but feisty, and they often travel in schools, so when you find them, everyone on board usually gets a chance to catch several.
This family-friendly charter fills up fast, especially during peak season when the salmon are running hot and heavy. Captain Bob's reputation for putting families on fish while keeping things fun and educational has made this one of the most requested trips on the lake. The five-hour timeframe gives you enough water time to really get into the fishing without wearing out shorter attention spans, and the included refreshments and fish cleaning service mean you can focus entirely on making memories. Whether you're introducing kids to their first taste of Great Lakes fishing or looking for a multi-generational adventure that everyone can enjoy, this trip delivers the perfect blend of action, instruction, and family bonding time on some of the most productive water in the region.
Captain Bob's 22-foot Skeeter center console is built for Lake Michigan fishing adventures with your family. This sturdy boat handles the big water beautifully while keeping everyone comfortable and safe. The 250 HP Yamaha gets you to the fish quickly, while the wireless trolling motor lets us move quietly through productive waters without spooking the salmon and trout. With seating for 3 anglers plus Captain Bob, there's plenty of room for the whole crew to spread out and fish comfortably. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools of fish, and GPS navigation ensures we make the most of our time on the water. Light tackle gear makes it easy for kids and adults to battle Lake Michigan's salmon, trout, and whitefish. This boat's smooth ride and fishing-focused design create the perfect platform for making family fishing memories that'll last a lifetime.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon, also called Kings, are the heavyweights of Lake Michigan - these bruisers average 12-20 pounds but can push 30 pounds or more. They're built like silver torpedoes with blue-green backs and black-spotted fins, and they fight like nothing else in the lake. These fish stay deep most of the time, hanging in 60-200 feet of water where it stays cold, but they'll move up and down the water column chasing baitfish. Spring through early fall gives you the best shots at them, especially during low-light conditions at dawn and dusk. Families love targeting Kings because landing one is a real achievement - the meat is top-notch too, with that rich orange-pink flesh. Here's the key: since they're light-sensitive, we run our lures deeper than you'd think, and copper or leadcore line helps get down to where they're cruising.
Coregonus ArtediCisco are smaller schooling fish that run 10-15 inches and weigh 1-2 pounds, but they make up for size with their delicious, flaky meat. These silver-bodied fish with their distinctive pointed snouts hang out in mid-water depths, usually several hundred feet down in summer but come up closer to the surface during winter months. That's when they really shine for families - winter and late fall offer the best action when large schools gather in shallower water. Kids love catching them because they're scrappy little fighters on light tackle, and the steady action keeps everyone busy. Since they feed mainly on plankton and small crustaceans, small jigs and spoons work perfectly. Pro tip: when you find one cisco, there are usually dozens more in the same area, so keep working that spot.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water heavyweights of our Great Lakes, averaging 24-36 inches and 15-25 pounds - the biggest char species you'll find. These grey-green fish with cream-colored spots love the cold, deep water, typically hanging 100-300 feet down during summer months. They're perfect for families because they fight hard but steady, giving everyone time to enjoy the battle without losing the fish. Spring right after ice-out and fall are prime times when they move up to more manageable depths. What guests really love is the firm, flaky white meat - some of the best eating fish in the lake. Since they avoid bright light, overcast days often produce the best action. The secret is jigging right off bottom with heavy spoons or swimbaits - these fish like their meals coming from below, so bounce your lure just above the lake floor.
Coregonus ClupeaformisLake whitefish are the hidden gems of Lake Michigan - solid 12-26 inch fish averaging 2-4 pounds with some of the sweetest, most delicate meat you'll ever taste. These silver-sided fish have small heads and that distinctive "humpback" look, and they're trickier to catch than most because of their tiny mouths. They stick to the bottom in 25-200 feet of water, feeding on insects and small crustaceans. Fall and winter are prime time when they school up in shallower water for spawning. Families enjoy them because they're steady fighters without being overwhelming, and every kid gets excited about the beautiful, clean fillets. The challenge is their picky feeding habits - they won't chase big lures. My go-to trick is using tiny jigs tipped with wax worms or fish eggs, working them slow right along the bottom. Patience pays off with these fish.
Lake Michigan