Lake Michigan Salmon and Trout Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
6hour charter targets Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Lake TroutAll fishing gear, tackle, and fish cleaning services includedAccommodates up to 6 guests with experienced captain guidance
Get ready for some serious action on Lake Michigan's most productive salmon and trout waters. This 6-hour charter with Double Trouble Charter Fishing puts you right in the thick of where Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, and lake trout are feeding hardest. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will have you trolling the hottest lanes from nearshore structure to mid-lake thermal breaks. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this trip delivers the kind of consistent fishing that keeps people coming back season after season.
You'll launch early and head straight to where the fish are biting. Your captain tracks current patterns, water temps, and bait movements to put you on active schools of salmon and trout. The boat handles up to 6 anglers comfortably, with plenty of deck space to move around and fight fish without getting tangled up. All your gear is provided – rods, reels, downriggers, and a tackle box full of proven lures that have been putting fish in the boat all season. The captain will get everyone set up with the right technique and adjust throughout the day based on what's working. When you hook up, you'll have room to work that fish properly, and at the end of the trip, your catch gets cleaned and bagged so you can head home with dinner ready to cook.
This is all about trolling the productive zones where salmon and trout cruise for food. You'll run downriggers to get your lures down to the right depth – sometimes 40 feet, sometimes 120 feet, depending on where the thermocline is sitting and what the fish finder is showing. The boat carries spoons, plugs, and flasher-fly combinations that have been dialed in for Lake Michigan's finicky fish. Your captain will explain how to read the rod tips, when to set the hook, and how to play different species. Chinooks fight like freight trains and will test your drag system, while Cohos jump and make blazing runs that'll get your heart pumping. Lake trout are bulldogs that just keep pulling deep. The key is staying patient, following the captain's lead on lure changes, and being ready when that rod tip starts dancing.
Lake Michigan's Chinook salmon are the heavyweight champions here, with fish regularly hitting 15-25 pounds and occasional monsters pushing 30 pounds or more. These kings show up in good numbers from late spring through fall, feeding aggressively on alewives and smelt in the deeper water columns. They're built for power and will give you a workout on the way to the net. Coho salmon bring a different kind of excitement – they're acrobatic fighters that love to jump and make screaming runs, typically running 5-12 pounds with silver sides that flash like chrome when they come up. Rainbow trout and brown trout add variety to the mix, with rainbows being scrappy fighters and browns being notoriously line-shy but worth the challenge. Lake trout are the deep-water specialists, often the most consistent biters when salmon fishing gets tough, and they grow big in these cold, nutrient-rich waters – some pushing 20 pounds or better.
Chinook salmon are what most anglers dream about when they think Lake Michigan fishing. These Pacific transplants have adapted perfectly to the Great Lakes, growing fat on the abundant baitfish populations. Peak season runs from late June through September, with fish staging near river mouths in fall before their spawning runs. They hit hard, fight harder, and make outstanding table fare when caught in open water. Coho salmon bring non-stop action from July through October, known for their spectacular aerial displays and never-quit attitude. They school up tight, so when you find them, you'll often boat several in quick succession.
Lake trout are the native heavyweights that have been here longer than any other species. They prefer the coldest, deepest water and are most active in spring and fall when they move shallower to feed. These fish can live for decades and grow massive – a 15-pound laker is a solid fish, but 20-pounders swim in these depths. Brown trout are the thinking angler's challenge, extremely spooky but beautiful fish with golden flanks covered in dark spots. They're most active in low-light conditions and cooler water, making them a prime target for early morning fishing.
Rainbow trout round out the slam, offering consistent action throughout the season. They're aggressive feeders that will hit a variety of presentations, from small spoons trolled shallow to larger plugs run deep. Steelhead-strain rainbows grow fast in Lake Michigan's rich waters, with fish commonly reaching 5-8 pounds and occasional specimens exceeding 10 pounds. They're acrobatic fighters that make long runs and provide steady action when salmon fishing slows down.
This charter consistently produces fish because your captain stays on top of changing conditions and adjusts tactics to match what's happening day to day. The 6-hour trip gives you plenty of time to work different areas, try various techniques, and maximize your chances at multiple species. With all gear included and your catch cleaned at the end, you just need to show up ready to fish. Lake Michigan's salmon and trout fishing is world-class, and this trip puts you in position to experience it at its finest. Don't wait – the best fishing windows fill up fast, especially during peak summer and fall runs when the action is hottest.
This 33' Trojan Cruiser cuts through Lake Michigan's waters with authority, powered by twin 300HP engines that'll get you to the salmon and trout grounds fast. The spacious deck gives your crew of up to 6 anglers plenty of room to work lines and land fish without tangling gear. Below deck, you'll find a full galley, head, and sleeping quarters for longer trips chasing the bite. The fish finder and GPS keep you on productive water, while the radar ensures safe passage when lake conditions turn. An icebox and refrigerator keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long trolling runs. Whether you're targeting spring Chinooks in shallow water or summer Lakers in the deep, this boat handles Lake Michigan's moods with twin screws and a solid hull design that fishing captains trust.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the smartest fish in the lake and can live up to 20 years, growing quite large and wary. They average 3-6 pounds but we've seen plenty over 10. These golden-brown beauties with black spots prefer structure like drop-offs, rock piles, and weed edges in 20-60 feet of water. Fall brings the best action when they feed aggressively before spawning. They're excellent eating with firm, flavorful meat. Their wariness makes them challenging, which many anglers love. Night fishing works well, but during our day trips, focus on overcast conditions and work your baits slowly near cover.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the giants of Lake Michigan, averaging 15-20 pounds with some pushing 30+. These bruisers prefer deep, cold water and stay close to bottom structure where they ambush baitfish. They're light-sensitive, so early morning and late evening fishing produces best results. The fight is legendary - long, powerful runs that'll test your drag system. Their rich, pink meat is top-shelf table fare. Late spring through summer offers prime fishing when they're feeding heavily before spawning runs. Key tip: fish deep with heavy tackle and keep your offerings near the bottom where kings feel comfortable hunting.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are pure adrenaline on the end of your line. These acrobatic fighters average 8-12 pounds and can jump 6 feet out of the water when hooked. We target them in 40-80 feet of water where they chase schools of alewives and smelt. The bright orange-red meat makes for excellent eating, and their aggressive nature means fast action once we locate them. Early morning and evening produce the best bites, especially during their late summer runs. My go-to trick is running bright spoons just above the thermocline - cohos can't resist that flash and vibration when they're feeding aggressively.
Salvelinus NamaycushLakers are the deep-water specialists of Lake Michigan, typically weighing 5-15 pounds with some real monsters over 20. They live in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake - often 80-150 feet down during summer. These grey-green fish with cream markings are excellent eating and provide a steady, powerful fight. Spring right after ice-out and fall offer the best shallow water opportunities, but we catch them year-round by going deep. They're sensitive to light, so overcast days are ideal. Best tip: vertical jigging with spoons or swim baits near bottom works magic when you find their schools.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbows typically run 2-8 pounds in Lake Michigan, with their signature pink stripe and spotted backs making them easy to identify. They prefer cooler water temps around 55-65°F, so we find them in deeper water during summer and closer to shore in spring and fall. These fish are scrappy fighters that'll jump and make strong runs, plus they taste great on the table with that mild, nutty flavor. Spring through early summer gives us the best action when they're actively feeding. Pro tip: keep your bait moving - rainbows are aggressive and will chase a lure that looks like it's trying to escape.
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