Salmon Fishing Charter on Lake Michigan
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fivehour salmon charter on Lake Michigan from WhitehallAll gear, bait, and expert guidance included for familiesPerfect for beginners with safe, professional fishing experience
Nothing beats the rush of a Lake Michigan salmon hitting your line at first light. Dave's 5-hour "Salmon Splash" charter out of Whitehall puts you right in the thick of some of the best salmon fishing the Great Lakes has to offer. This isn't just another boat ride – it's your shot at tangling with some seriously powerful fish while learning from a guide who knows these waters like the back of his hand. Whether you're a complete rookie or you've been chasing fish for years, this trip is designed to put fish in the boat and smiles on faces.
Your morning starts early at the Whitehall marina, where you'll meet Dave and get the rundown on what's been working lately. Lake Michigan's eastern shore has been producing consistent salmon action, especially during those prime early morning hours when the fish are actively feeding. The boat's rigged and ready with downriggers, planer boards, and all the terminal tackle you'll need. Don't worry about bringing anything – rods, reels, bait, and tackle are all included. Dave's been running charters here for years and knows exactly where to find the fish based on water temperature, baitfish movement, and seasonal patterns. You'll head out to depths ranging from 80 to 200 feet, depending on where the salmon are holding. The two-angler limit means you get personalized attention and plenty of opportunities to get your hands on the rods.
Lake Michigan salmon fishing is all about trolling, and Dave's got the setup dialed in perfectly. You'll be running a spread of spoons, plugs, and flasher-fly combinations at various depths and speeds to cover the water column effectively. The downriggers let you present baits precisely where the fish are suspended, while the planer boards spread your lines out to cover more territory. Expect to run everything from bright chrome spoons that mimic alewives to UV-enhanced lures that really pop in the deeper water. Dave adjusts the spread based on what the fish are telling him – if one color or depth is producing, he'll put more lines in that zone. The key is staying mobile and reading the electronics. You'll learn to watch the fish finder for bait schools and temperature breaks where salmon like to hunt. When a rod goes off, it's game on – these fish don't give up easy, and you'll feel every head shake and run they make.
Lake Michigan's salmon runs have been solid, with Chinooks leading the charge in terms of size and fight. These king salmon are the crown jewel of Great Lakes fishing, and Whitehall's location gives you access to some prime hunting grounds. Coho salmon have been showing up in good numbers too, especially in the early morning hours when they're actively feeding near the surface. Don't overlook the trout opportunities either – steelhead and brown trout mix right in with the salmon, and they're every bit as scrappy. The lake's been fishing well from 100 to 180 feet of water, with fish relating to temperature breaks and baitfish concentrations. Dave's been seeing consistent action on spoons and cut bait, with the occasional hot bite on dodger-fly setups. Water temps have been holding steady, keeping the fish active throughout the morning hours.
Chinook Salmon are the undisputed kings of Lake Michigan, and for good reason. These bruisers commonly reach 15-25 pounds, with occasional monsters pushing 30 pounds or more. They're most active in the early morning hours and prefer cooler water temperatures, typically holding between 100-200 feet deep during summer months. When a king hits your line, you'll know it immediately – they make blistering runs and use their size to their advantage. The fight can last 10-15 minutes, and every second is pure adrenaline. Peak season runs from late June through September, with August often producing the largest fish.
Coho Salmon might be smaller than their Chinook cousins, but they make up for it with acrobatic fights that'll keep you on your toes. These silver rockets typically range from 8-15 pounds and are known for their spectacular jumps when hooked. Cohos tend to feed more aggressively in the morning hours and can be found at various depths depending on where the baitfish are holding. They're particularly fond of spoons and plugs that mimic their favorite forage – alewives and smelt. The best action usually happens from July through early September.
Rainbow Trout, or steelhead as they're known to most anglers, bring a different kind of excitement to the table. These chrome-bright fighters are incredibly strong for their size and known for long, powerful runs that test your drag system. They typically range from 6-12 pounds in the lake, though larger specimens aren't uncommon. Steelhead can be caught year-round but really shine during spring and fall migrations when they're staging near river mouths. They're opportunistic feeders and will hit everything from spoons to cut bait.
Brown Trout are the wildcards of Lake Michigan fishing – you never know when one might crash your salmon party. These golden-sided fighters are incredibly strong and known for their bulldogging fights close to the boat. They're also the most likely to be caught in shallower water, sometimes as shallow as 40-60 feet when chasing baitfish. Browns can range anywhere from 5-20 pounds, with the larger fish being true trophies. They're most active during low-light conditions and can be caught throughout the fishing season.
Pink Salmon appear in odd-numbered years and create some of the most exciting action on the Great Lakes. These smaller salmon, typically 2-4 pounds, make up for their size with sheer numbers and aggressive feeding behavior. When the pinks are in, you can expect fast action with multiple hookups being common. They're particularly fun for newer ang
Cast off aboard our reliable 2018 Skeeter boat, perfectly rigged for salmon fishing on Lake Michigan's productive waters near Whitehall. This deep-V hull cuts through waves smoothly while you focus on landing those hard-fighting salmon. Our boat features a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches to fish-holding structure, plus GPS navigation to hit the best spots consistently. The fish finder shows exactly what's swimming below, helping you understand where salmon are staging. With casting decks positioned for easy angling and livewells to keep your catch fresh, this Skeeter handles Lake Michigan's conditions beautifully. Yamaha power gets us to productive salmon grounds quickly, then back to port with your limit. Built for serious fishing, this boat gives you the stable platform needed when salmon are pulling drag and making runs.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the crafty veterans of Lake Michigan, averaging 3-8 pounds and 12-20 inches, though trophy fish over 15 pounds cruise these waters. These golden-brown beauties with black spots are notoriously wary and prefer cooler water from 45-65 degrees. We find them relating to structure - drop-offs, rocks, and near creek mouths - usually 30-80 feet deep. Spring and fall are prime times when they feed aggressively. What makes browns special is their intelligence and fight - they'll use every trick to shake the hook. The firm, mild meat is excellent eating. Night fishing can be productive since they often feed after dark. Browns can live up to 20 years, so the big ones have seen every lure in the book. My secret: when they're being picky, downsize your presentation and fish slower. Sometimes a smaller spoon or natural-colored bait outperforms flashy lures on these educated fish.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Michigan, averaging 15-25 pounds with some monsters pushing 30+. These silver-backed bruisers with black spots love deep, cold water - we typically find them 60-150 feet down. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're feeding heavily before and after spawning runs. What draws anglers to chinooks is their raw power and size - landing one is a real accomplishment. The reddish-pink meat is premium table fare. They're sensitive to light, so they stay deep during bright days, making early morning and evening the hot times. Kings prefer temperatures around 50-55 degrees and will follow baitfish schools. Here's my tip: use heavy tackle and don't rush the fight. These fish have incredible stamina, so let your drag do the work and stay patient - trying to horse them up too fast usually ends with a broken line.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or "silvers," are pure dynamite on the end of your line. These acrobatic fighters average 5-12 pounds and stretch 20-28 inches, with their bright silver sides and dark backs making them easy to spot. We find them anywhere from the surface down to 100 feet, often chasing baitfish in mid-water. Spring through fall are prime times, especially during their late summer staging. What makes cohos special is their aerial show - they'll jump clear out of the water multiple times during a fight. The orange-pink meat is top-shelf eating. They cruise open water but also work structure like ledges and drop-offs. These fish can jump up to 6 feet vertically, so keep steady pressure and your rod tip up. Local tip: when cohos are finicky, try switching to smaller spoons or flies in natural colors - sometimes less flash triggers more strikes.
Oncorhynchus GorbuschaPink salmon are the scrappy underdogs of the salmon family, typically running 3-5 pounds and 18-24 inches. Also called humpbacks, they develop that distinctive hump during spawning runs. In Lake Michigan, we find them in cooler water from late summer through fall, usually 40-80 feet deep. They love cold water around 50-60 degrees and school up tight when feeding. What guests love about pinks is their aggressive nature - they'll hit lures hard and fight with surprising strength for their size. The meat is great eating with good omega-3 content. Best fishing happens during their odd-year runs when they're most abundant. My go-to trick for pinks is using bright pink or chartreuse spoons - seems like they can't resist that flash of color. Keep your lures moving fast; these fish like an active presentation.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout average 8-16 inches and run 2-5 pounds in Lake Michigan, though we've seen some beauties pushing 8+ pounds. These silver-sided fighters with that signature pink stripe love the cooler waters we find in spring and fall. They'll cruise anywhere from 20-80 feet down, often relating to temperature breaks and baitfish schools. What makes rainbows special is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump, run, and test your drag like few other fish. The meat is excellent eating with that distinctive pink flesh. During summer, we target them in deeper, cooler water around 50-60 degrees. Here's a local tip: when the water warms up, look for them near creek mouths where cold tributaries enter the lake. They stack up there waiting for the temperature drop that triggers their feeding.
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