Lake Michigan Charter Fishing
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
6hour early morning offshore fishing adventure on Lake MichiganTarget Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Coho and Chinook SalmonCaptain provides professional fish cleaning and filleting service
Captain Greg knows Lake Michigan like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 6-hour early morning charter aboard Dog Bone Sportfishing gets you out when the bite is hot and the big lake is showing off her best colors. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod, this family-friendly trip welcomes everyone from kids to grandparents. The real beauty here is that you'll be targeting some of the Great Lakes' most prized species – we're talking rainbow trout that fight like freight trains, massive chinook salmon that'll test your drag, and those beautiful coho that jump clear out of the water. When you head back to port, Captain Greg handles all the messy work, cleaning and filleting your catch so you can focus on planning the fish fry.
Your day starts early – and trust me, that's when the magic happens on Lake Michigan. Captain Greg will have the boat prepped and ready as you roll up to the marina in those pre-dawn hours when the water is glass and the fish are actively feeding. The 6-hour window gives you plenty of time to work different depths and structures without feeling rushed. This isn't some cattle boat operation either – with just 4 anglers max, you get personal attention and room to fight fish without tangling lines with a dozen other people. The boat is set up specifically for Great Lakes fishing, with proper downriggers, planer boards, and all the terminal tackle you need. Captain Greg reads the water conditions, checks his fish finder, and adjusts the game plan based on what Mother Nature is serving up that day. Some mornings you'll be working the thermocline in 80 feet of water, other days you might find yourself trolling tight to structure in the shallows where the baitfish are stacked up.
Lake Michigan fishing is all about covering water and presenting lures at the right depth where fish are holding. Captain Greg runs a spread of downriggers and planer boards to get maximum coverage – think of it like a underwater dragnet that puts lures exactly where the fish want them. The downriggers let you get spoons and flasher-fly combos down to precise depths, while the planer boards spread your lines out wide to cover more water and avoid spooking fish directly behind the boat. You'll be using everything from bright chrome spoons that mimic alewives to subtle UV flashers paired with flies that trigger aggressive strikes. The key is matching your presentation to what the fish are feeding on – some days they want fast-moving spoons, other days they prefer the subtle action of a dodger and fly combo. Captain Greg handles all the technical stuff like speed control, depth changes, and reading the electronics, but he'll teach you the basics so you understand what's happening below the surface. When a rod goes off, it's your show – he'll coach you through the fight but that fish is all yours to bring to the net.
Let's talk about what's swimming in these waters and why anglers travel from all over the Midwest to fish Lake Michigan. Rainbow trout are the bread and butter of this fishery – these chrome rockets typically run 3 to 8 pounds and fight way above their weight class. They're acrobatic fighters that'll jump, run, and do everything they can to throw the hook. Rainbows are most active in the early morning hours when water temperatures are cooler, and they feed heavily on alewives and small baitfish near the surface. What makes them so exciting to catch is their unpredictability – one minute they're sipping flies near the surface, the next they're smashing spoons 40 feet down.
Lake trout are the true giants of these waters, with fish regularly hitting 15 to 25 pounds and some real monsters pushing 30-plus. These deep-water predators prefer colder water and are typically found in the deeper parts of the lake, especially during summer months. Lakers are bulldogs – they don't jump much but they'll take you on a long, powerful run that tests your equipment and your patience. The best part about lake trout is they're excellent table fare when properly prepared, with firm, flaky meat that's perfect for grilling or smoking.
Coho salmon are pure dynamite on the end of a line. These silver bullets average 4 to 10 pounds and are famous for their aerial displays when hooked. Coho are aggressive feeders that often travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. They're most active during low-light periods and will chase lures with reckless abandon. The spring and fall runs bring fresh fish in from the big water, and these chrome-bright coho are some of the hardest fighting fish you'll encounter in freshwater.
Chinook salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan – these bruisers can exceed 20 pounds and provide battles that anglers remember for years. King salmon are the ultimate trophy fish, with thick shoulders and the stamina to make multiple long runs. They're typically found in deeper, colder water and prefer larger baits and lures. When a big chinook grabs your line, you know it immediately – the rod loads up and the drag starts screaming. These fish require patience and technique to land, but the reward is a true trophy and some of the best eating fish in the Great Lakes.
This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to experience world-class angling on one of the greatest freshwater fisheries in North America. Captain Greg brings decades of experience and local knowledge that you simply can't get from a guidebook or YouTube video. The combination of top-notch equipment, expert guidance, and Lake Michigan's renowned fishing makes this a customer favorite for good reason. Plus, with the fish cleaning service included, you can focus on the fishing and skip the messy cleanup. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to the sport or scratch that itch for some serious
Jump aboard this well-equipped 30' Cherokee sportfishing boat and get ready to chase salmon and trout in Lake Michigan's deep waters. Twin 350 HP Crusader engines power you to the best fishing spots, while the captain uses radar and fish finder technology to locate where the big ones are biting. You'll have plenty of room to move around with seating for up to 6 anglers, plus a shaded hardtop when you need a break from the sun. The boat comes loaded with downriggers for serious trolling action, an icebox to keep your catch fresh, and even a private head for comfort during those long 6-hour trips. Whether you're targeting rainbow trout near the surface or going deep for lake trout and chinook salmon, this boat has everything you need for a successful day on the water. Captain Greg handles all the fish cleaning afterward, so you can focus on the fishing and head home with fillets ready for the dinner table.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan - literally. These monsters can hit 20-30 pounds and stretch over 3 feet long, making them the prize catch on any charter. They've got silver sides with a blue-green back and distinctive black spots covering their head, back, and all fins. Being light-sensitive, they stay deep during the day, usually 60-120 feet down where it's dark and cool. Early morning and evening are prime time when they move up to feed. What makes chinook special is their incredible strength and that rich, reddish-pink meat that's restaurant quality. They're stubborn fighters that will test your gear and patience. Since they hug the bottom, we use downriggers with heavy weights to get our lures down to their level. The key is keeping your bait moving naturally - these fish are smart and won't hit something that looks fake.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silver salmon, are absolute rockets when you hook into one. These acrobatic fighters average 8-12 pounds and can jump clean out of the water - sometimes 6 feet high! They've got that classic salmon look with dark blue-green backs, bright silver sides, and black spots on their tail. In Lake Michigan, we typically find them in 40-80 feet of water during summer, though they'll move shallower in spring and fall. Early morning trips work best since they're most active in low light. What guests love most is the fight and that beautiful orange-red meat that tastes amazing smoked or grilled. They're aggressive feeders, going after everything from spoons to flies. My go-to trick is running bright chartreuse or pink lures - coho can't resist those flashy colors, especially on cloudy days.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of Lake Michigan, often called "lakers" by locals. These grey-green fish with cream-colored spots can grow massive - 15-40 pounds isn't unusual, and they live for decades in the cold depths. You'll find them suspended in 80-200 feet of water during summer, though they come shallower in spring right after ice-out when the whole lake is cold. They're slow growers but incredible fighters with surprising strength for their size. The meat is rich and flaky, perfect for smoking. What makes them unique is they're true natives to the Great Lakes, unlike the stocked salmon. Since they avoid bright light and stay deep, we focus on overcast days or early morning. My trick is vertical jigging with large spoons or jigs that mimic dying baitfish - drop it down and work it slow with long pauses. Lakers can be finicky, but when they hit, it's worth the wait.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout are some of the most colorful fish you'll see out here, with that signature pink stripe running down their silver sides. These beauties typically run 2-8 pounds and 12-20 inches in Lake Michigan. They prefer the cooler waters and often cruise in the top 30-60 feet, especially during spring and fall when water temps hit their sweet spot of 55-65°F. What makes them special is their fight - they'll jump and run like crazy once hooked. The meat is fantastic too, with a mild, slightly nutty flavor that's perfect on the grill. They're excellent indicators of clean water since they can't survive in polluted conditions. Pro tip: when we're trolling for them, I like to run spoons or plugs just above the thermocline where they're actively feeding on alewives and smelt.
Traverse City