Half Day Fishing Charter in Traverse City
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Half-day midday charter on Grand Traverse Bay with Captain Alonzo Knowles.Target Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Steelhead, Chinook and Coho Salmon.Accommodates up to 6 guests with trolling and varied fishing techniques.
Captain Alonzo Knowles has been running charters out of Grand Traverse Bay for years, and he knows exactly where the fish are hiding. This half-day midday trip gives you four solid hours to work the productive waters around Traverse City, targeting some of Michigan's most sought-after species. With room for up to six anglers, it's perfect for families, groups of friends, or solo fishermen looking to get into some serious action without committing to a full day on the water.
You'll meet Captain Alonzo at the marina and head out into Grand Traverse Bay, where the deep, cold waters hold incredible populations of trout and salmon. The midday timing works perfectly for this fishery – while other boats are coming in from dawn trips, you're just getting started when fish activity picks up again. The bay's structure creates perfect holding spots for feeding fish, and Captain Alonzo has spent countless hours learning every productive ledge, drop-off, and temperature break. Expect to cover good water efficiently, moving between spots based on what the fish are telling us through the electronics. The boat is equipped with everything you need, from rods and reels to tackle and net, so you can focus on fishing rather than gear management.
Most of your time will be spent trolling, which is absolutely deadly on Grand Traverse Bay. Captain Alonzo runs a spread of downriggers, planer boards, and lead core setups to cover different depths and areas of the water column. You'll learn how to work spoons, plugs, and flasher-fly combinations that have been proven winners in these waters. The beauty of trolling here is that you're always fishing – your lines are in the water and working while you're moving to the next productive area. When conditions call for it, we can switch things up with some casting or jigging, especially if we mark fish holding tight to structure. The captain will teach you how to read the electronics, watch for temperature changes, and understand what the fish are doing based on their behavior on the screen.
Rainbow Trout, also known as Steelhead, are absolute fighters that will test your drag system and your patience. These chrome-bright fish typically run 5-12 pounds in the bay, though larger specimens definitely cruise these waters. Spring through fall offers excellent opportunities, with fish feeding aggressively on alewives and smelt. When you hook one, expect multiple runs and spectacular jumps – they're called the "silver torpedoes" for good reason. Coho Salmon are another customer favorite, hitting hard and fighting dirty with aerial displays that'll get your heart pumping. These fish average 3-8 pounds and are known for their acrobatic abilities once hooked. They school up heavily during their runs, so when you find one, there are usually more nearby. Chinook Salmon are the kings of the Great Lakes, with mature fish reaching 15-30 pounds or more. These bruisers prefer deeper, colder water and will give you an arm-burning fight that can last 20 minutes or longer. Brown Trout are the smartest fish in the bay, often requiring finesse presentations and lighter tackle. They're notorious for following lures without committing, but when they do hit, they're bulldogs that use their bulk and the current to their advantage. Lake Trout round out the slam, living in the deepest, coldest water available. These prehistoric-looking fish can live for decades and grow to impressive sizes, with their mottled green coloration making them one of the most beautiful catches in the Great Lakes.
Grand Traverse Bay consistently produces some of Michigan's best fishing, and Captain Alonzo's local knowledge gives you a serious advantage over fishing on your own. The midday timing means you can sleep in, grab breakfast, and still get on some fantastic fishing before dinner. Whether you're looking to put fish in the cooler, introduce kids to Great Lakes fishing, or just spend a few hours doing what you love, this charter delivers the goods. The bay's diverse fishery means there's always something biting, and the relatively protected waters make for comfortable fishing even when Lake Michigan gets rough. Book your trip now and get ready to experience why Traverse City is considered one of the top fishing destinations in the Midwest.
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard Captain Alonzo Knowles' well-equipped motorboat, perfectly set up for targeting Grand Traverse Bay's legendary trout and salmon. This spacious vessel comfortably handles up to 6 anglers and comes loaded with everything serious fishermen need - a top-notch fish finder to locate schools, GPS navigation to hit the productive spots, and an onboard refrigerator to keep your catch fresh. The flybridge gives you elevated views of the water while trolling for those prized Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Steelhead, Chinook, and Coho Salmon. With an ice box for beverages, onboard facilities, and room to move around while fighting fish, you'll have everything covered for a productive midday charter on these productive Michigan waters.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the crafty veterans of Grand Traverse Bay. These golden-brown fish with black spots typically run 8-24 inches, but the big lake-run browns can push 5-10 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. They're structure-oriented fish - you'll find them near drop-offs, rocky areas, and anywhere baitfish congregate. Browns are most active during low-light conditions, especially fall when they get aggressive before spawning. What makes them special is their wariness - they're educated fish that will test your skills. The reward is some of the best-tasting trout you'll ever eat, with firm white meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but we catch them year-round. Pro tip: browns often follow your lure for a long time before deciding to hit. If you mark fish but aren't getting strikes, try changing your speed or switching to a smaller, more natural-colored bait.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Grand Traverse Bay, running 20-30 pounds with some pushing 40+. These fish stay deep most of the time - we're talking 60-120 feet down where it's cold and dark. Chinooks are light-sensitive, so they hug the bottom during bright days but might come up at dawn and dusk. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're feeding on alewives and building fat for their spawning run. What makes kings special is the combination of size and strength - they don't jump like coho but they'll peel line and test your equipment like nothing else. The rich, orange-red meat is top-shelf eating. Here's the key: use heavy downrigger weights and fish slow. Kings aren't aggressive strikers - they often just load up on the rod gradually. If you feel weight but no headshakes, don't assume it's weeds. Set the hook anyway - big kings sometimes mouth the bait first.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or "silvers," are pure adrenaline on a fishing rod. These 12-30 inch fish average 8-12 pounds but can hit 20+ in the Great Lakes. They're famous for jumping up to 6 feet when hooked - that's why we call them acrobatic. Coho cruise the open waters of Grand Traverse Bay during summer and fall, often suspended 40-80 feet down following baitfish. Peak season runs July through September when they're feeding heavy before their spawning run. The dark blue-green backs with silver sides make them easy to identify, and that bright orange meat is fantastic on the table. What guests love most is the fight - coho don't give up easy and will test every knot you tied. Best trolling tip: run your spoons and plugs in bright colors like chartreuse or pink. When you hook one, keep steady pressure but let them run - fighting them too hard early will pull the hooks.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water specialists of Grand Traverse Bay - we're talking 80-200 feet down where it's cold year-round. These char family members run 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds, with their grey-green coloring and cream-colored spots. Lakers are slow-growing fish that can live decades, making the big ones real trophies. They stay deep all summer but move shallower during spring and late fall when surface temps drop. What guests love about lake trout is the steady, powerful fight - no jumping, just pure bulldogging strength that tests your tackle. The light-colored meat is excellent eating, especially smoked. Best fishing is during overcast conditions when they're more active. Here's the secret: most anglers fish too fast for lakers. Slow your trolling speed way down - we're talking 1.5-2 mph max. Use big spoons or plugs and don't be afraid to go really deep. Sometimes the biggest fish are practically on the bottom.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout run 8-24 inches and typically weigh 2-8 pounds in Grand Traverse Bay. These beautiful fish with their signature pink stripe are known for their acrobatic fights - they'll jump and make sudden runs that test your drag. You'll find them in cooler water temps between 55-64°F, often suspended mid-depth or near structure. Spring through fall are prime times, especially early morning and evening when they're feeding actively. What makes rainbows special is they're actually steelhead here - they migrate between the bay and tributaries, making them stronger fighters than typical lake rainbows. The meat is excellent eating with that classic pink flesh. Pro tip: when trolling, watch your downrigger - if you see it bouncing or pulling weird, you might have a rainbow following your lure. Sometimes slowing down triggers the strike.
Traverse City, MI