Private 12-Hour Full Moon Night Fishing
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Private 12hour Lake Michigan fishing charter for up to 5 guestsFull moon overnight trip targets trout and salmon speciesSunset to sunrise timing maximizes active fishing periods
There's something magical about being on Lake Michigan when the full moon lights up the water and the fish start biting. Our 12-hour night fishing adventure isn't your typical charter – we're talking about a serious fishing expedition that runs from sunset to sunrise, targeting the prime feeding windows when trophy fish come alive. This isn't a trip for everyone, but if you're looking to experience Lake Michigan at its best and land some serious fish while most folks are sleeping, you've found the right charter.
We kick off this epic fishing session right before the sun starts dropping, giving you time to get your lines wet during the golden hour. As darkness settles in and that full moon climbs higher, you'll see why night fishing on the Great Lakes is such a customer favorite among serious anglers. The lake transforms completely – it's quieter, cooler, and the fish behavior changes dramatically. You'll have 12 solid hours to work different depths, switch up techniques, and really dial in on what's working. We're targeting the big five: Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Brown Trout, and Lake Trout. The boat comfortably handles up to 5 anglers, so you'll have plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up. Fair warning though – we don't provide meals on this trip, so pack accordingly. You'll want snacks, drinks, and maybe a thermos of coffee for those pre-dawn hours when the action heats up.
Night fishing on Lake Michigan is all about covering water and staying adaptable. We'll be trolling with downriggers most of the night, running everything from spoons and plugs to dodger and fly setups depending on what the fish want. The beauty of a 12-hour trip is we can really experiment – start shallow during the evening bite, then work our way deeper as the night progresses. We've got all the gear you need, including the heavy tackle required for those monster Chinooks that patrol these waters. The full moon gives us just enough natural light to work efficiently, but we're also equipped with proper lighting for changing lures and landing fish safely. Water temperatures and thermoclines shift throughout the night, and that's where our local knowledge really pays off. We'll be constantly adjusting depths, speeds, and presentations based on what the fish finder shows us and how the bite develops.
Coho Salmon are absolute fighters and one of the most reliable species during night fishing trips on Lake Michigan. These silver bullets typically run 5-12 pounds and are known for their acrobatic fights – expect multiple jumps and screaming runs. They're most active during the twilight hours and again just before sunrise, often feeding in the top 40 feet of water. Cohos hit hard and fast, making them a top-rated choice for anglers who love that initial strike.
Steelhead Trout are the marathon runners of the Great Lakes, and catching one during a full moon night is something special. These chrome-bright fish range from 8-15 pounds on average but can push well into the 20s. They're notorious for long, powerful runs and have a habit of jumping when you least expect it. Night fishing gives you a real advantage with Steelhead since they're less spooky in low light conditions and will often feed more aggressively.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan, and landing a big King under the moonlight is a memory that'll stick with you forever. These beasts regularly hit 20-30 pounds, with fish over 35 pounds caught every season. Chinooks are deep-water hunters during summer months, often holding 80-120 feet down during the day but moving shallower at night. They're world-class fighters with the power to test your drag system and your arms.
Brown Trout become completely different fish once the sun goes down. During daylight hours, they're cautious and hard to fool, but night fishing opens up opportunities to catch trophy Browns that rarely see a lure during the day. These spotted beauties average 8-18 pounds and are known for their intelligence and fight. They'll often follow lures for long distances before committing, making every hookup feel earned.
Lake Trout are the deep-water specialists and perfect targets for our extended night trips. These native fish live in the coldest, deepest parts of Lake Michigan and can reach impressive sizes – 15-25 pounders are common, with fish over 30 pounds caught regularly. Lakers have a different fight than the salmon and other trout – they're bulldogs that use their weight and the deep water to their advantage. They're also some of the best eating fish in the lake.
This 12-hour night fishing adventure represents the best of what Lake Michigan has to offer serious anglers. You're getting access to prime fishing windows that day-trippers never see, targeting multiple species with techniques that work best under cover of darkness. The full moon timing gives us natural advantages – better visibility for working gear and increased fish activity throughout the night. Whether you're looking to land your first Great Lakes salmon or add a trophy Lake Trout to your collection, this trip delivers the time and conditions to make it happen. Space is limited to 5 anglers to ensure everyone has room to fish effectively and enjoy the experience. Don't miss out on this renowned night fishing opportunity – book your spot with Fishin Da Net Charter Fishing and get ready for a night on Lake Michigan you'll be talking about for years.
Captain Dave's 28-foot Sea Ray is built for serious night fishing on Lake Michigan. This clean, roomy boat comfortably handles up to 5 anglers with plenty of deck space to work multiple lines without getting tangled up. The GPS and radar systems keep you on productive water even in low-light conditions, while the fish finder helps locate schools of trout and salmon moving through the depths. When nature calls during those long midnight hours, there's an onboard toilet so you don't miss prime fishing time. The spacious layout gives everyone room to fight fish without bumping into each other, and there's enough storage for all your gear, coolers, and that thermos of coffee you'll definitely need around 3 AM. Dave knows these waters like the back of his hand and positions the boat over the best structure and thermal breaks where Lakers, Steelhead, and King Salmon cruise during those productive overnight hours.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the thinking angler's fish - they're smart, spooky, and put up a great scrap once hooked. Most run 8-24 inches, with golden-brown backs covered in black spots and that telltale small reddish fin near the tail. These fish love structure and will hang around drop-offs, weed lines, and rocky areas. Fall through spring is prime time, and they actually feed aggressively at night, which works perfectly for our full moon trips. Browns are notorious for their wariness during daylight, but they loosen up after dark. The meat is excellent with a mild, sweet flavor. What makes them fun is they're unpredictable - sometimes they'll slam a lure, other times you need to finesse them. My go-to tip: if the bite slows, try dropping down to smaller, more natural-looking presentations.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan for good reason - these bruisers can hit 30+ pounds and give you a fight you won't forget. They've got that classic salmon look with silver sides, blue-green backs, and black spots everywhere including inside their mouths. What's interesting is they're light-sensitive, so they tend to stay deep during the day and move around more at dawn and dusk, making our full moon overnight trips perfect timing. The bigger fish often cruise 60-100 feet down, so we'll be running downriggers and heavy tackle. Their orange-pink meat is top-shelf eating. Here's the thing about kings - they don't jump much but they'll pull drag for what feels like forever. Keep steady pressure and be patient; trying to muscle them up too fast usually ends with a straightened hook.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silver salmon, are some of the most acrobatic fighters you'll find in Lake Michigan. These beauties typically run 12-30 inches and weigh 8-12 pounds, with their distinctive silver sides and dark blue-green backs. What makes them special is their incredible jumping ability - they can leap up to 6 feet vertically when hooked. During our full moon trips, they're often more active in the cooler overnight hours. Coho prefer the upper water columns and will hit bright lures like chartreuse and pink spoons. The meat has that gorgeous orange-red color and tastes fantastic. Here's a local trick: when you feel that first jump coming, keep your rod tip low and let your drag do the work - they'll tire themselves out with all that aerial action.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep water heavyweights of Lake Michigan, and catching one is always special. These char family members typically run 24-36 inches and can easily hit 15-40 pounds. They've got that grey-green coloring with cream-colored spots and prefer the cold, deep water year-round. During summer they're often 80-150 feet down, but our overnight trips give us the best shot since they move around more in low light conditions. Lakers are deliberate fighters - not flashy jumpers but they'll pull steady and hard. The meat is rich and flaky when prepared right. Jigging is usually the way to go in deep water. Here's what works: use a heavy jig with a paddle tail swimbait and work it right off the bottom with sharp lifts and drops. They often hit on the fall, so stay ready.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that have lived the good life in big water, making them larger, stronger, and more silvery than their stream cousins. These fish average 24 inches but can push 45 inches and really know how to fight. They roam the open waters of Lake Michigan but come shallow during spring and fall. The cooler overnight hours of our full moon trips are perfect timing since they're more active when the sun's down. What guests love most is their stamina - steelhead will make long, powerful runs that test your gear and skills. The key to landing one is using a rod with good backbone but keeping steady pressure without forcing it. Try working areas with structure like drop-offs and points where they cruise looking for baitfish.
Lake Michigan