Private 12-Hour Full Moon Night Fishing
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
12-hour overnight fishing adventure during full moon periodsTarget Lake Trout, Steelhead, and multiple salmon speciesPrivate charter accommodates up to 5 guests maximum
There's something magical about fishing Lake Michigan under a full moon, and this 12-hour adventure lets you experience it firsthand. We're talking about a serious fishing trip here – one that starts just before sunset and runs straight through to sunrise. This isn't your typical half-day charter; it's designed for anglers who want to tap into the night bite when the big fish are prowling. You'll have the lake mostly to yourself, targeting prime species like Lake Trout, Steelhead, Browns, and both Chinook and Coho Salmon while they're actively feeding in the cooler overnight hours.
This trip runs on Mother Nature's schedule, so start times shift with the seasons and current conditions. We typically push off a couple hours before sunset to get lines in the water during that golden evening bite, then settle in for the long haul as darkness falls. The full moon provides natural light that keeps fish active throughout the night – it's like having a giant spotlight that doesn't spook the fish. You'll be fishing in depths ranging from 60 to 200 feet, depending on where the fish are holding. The overnight hours bring cooler water temps near the surface, which draws salmon and trout up from the depths. Pack layers because it gets chilly out there, even in summer. We've got a heated cabin, but you'll want to stay comfortable during those peak feeding windows when the action heats up.
We run a serious trolling spread using downriggers, lead core, and copper lines to cover the entire water column. Our boat is rigged with top-shelf electronics – fishfinders, GPS, and temperature probes that help us locate schools and track the thermocline. You'll be using medium to heavy action rods matched with quality reels spooled with 20-30 pound test. We switch up lure presentations throughout the night based on what's working – spoons, plugs, flasher-and-fly combos, and cut bait rigs all have their moments. The key is staying mobile and adjusting depths as fish move up and down in the water column. During the midnight hours, we often slow our trolling speed and focus on areas with structure or temperature breaks where predators ambush baitfish. Dawn brings another hot bite as fish feed heavily before the sun pushes them back to deeper water.
Coho Salmon are absolute rockets when they hit, known for their aerial acrobatics and blistering runs. These silver bullets typically weigh 5-12 pounds and are most active during the cooler overnight hours. They love spoons and plugs worked at moderate speeds, often hitting in the top 40 feet of water. What makes Cohos special is their fighting spirit – they'll jump repeatedly and make long runs that test your drag system. Peak season runs from July through September.
Steelhead Trout are the marathon fighters of Lake Michigan, combining size with stamina for battles that can last 15 minutes or more. These chrome-bright fish range from 8-20 pounds and are notorious for their powerful runs and head-shaking jumps. They prefer slightly deeper water than Cohos and respond well to flasher-and-fly combos or small spoons. Steelhead are year-round residents, but the best night fishing happens from late spring through fall when they're actively feeding on alewives.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of the lake for good reason – these bruisers can top 30 pounds and provide arm-burning fights in deep water. Kings typically hold deeper than other species, often 60-150 feet down, making them perfect targets for our overnight trolling program. They're structure-oriented fish that follow baitfish schools, and the full moon activity keeps them feeding aggressively through the night. Prime time runs from June through September.
Brown Trout are the cautious predators that often feed most actively during low-light conditions, making night fishing ideal for targeting these wary fish. Lakers range from 3-15 pounds with some trophy fish pushing 20+. They're incredibly line-shy during daylight but become aggressive hunters after dark. Browns prefer cut bait or realistic baitfish imitations worked near structure or temperature breaks.
Lake Trout are the deep-water specialists that thrive in Lake Michigan's cold depths. These native fish can live for decades and reach impressive sizes, with fish over 20 pounds caught regularly. Lakers stay deep year-round, typically 80-200+ feet down, where they feed on cisco, smelt, and sculpins. They're known for their steady, powerful fights and excellent table fare. The overnight bite is productive because Lakers move up in the water column to feed when surface temperatures drop.
This 12-hour night fishing adventure offers something you won't find on regular daytime charters – the chance to fish when Lake Michigan's predators are most active. With only 5 spots available, you'll have plenty of room to fish comfortably and individual attention when the action picks up. The full moon timing means we're only running these trips once a month during prime season, so they fill up fast. Whether you're after a trophy King, a jumping Coho, or just want to experience the unique atmosphere of night fishing on one of the Great Lakes, this trip delivers. Bring your camera for sunrise shots with your catch, pack some snacks since meals aren't included, and get ready for a fishing experience that most anglers never get to try. Book now to secure your spot for the next full moon window.
Captain Dave's 28-foot Sea Ray is built for serious night fishing on Lake Michigan. This clean, spacious boat comfortably seats up to 5 anglers with plenty of room to move around when you're fighting those lake trout and salmon. The vessel comes equipped with GPS navigation and radar for safe nighttime running, plus a reliable fish finder to locate schools in the dark waters. You'll appreciate the onboard toilet during those long 12-hour sessions from sunset to sunrise. The boat's stable platform gives you solid footing whether you're casting for steelhead or battling a hefty chinook under the full moon. With room for gear and fish boxes, this Sea Ray handles everything from trolling the deep waters to working the shoreline structure where brown trout feed after dark.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smart ones - they're cautious, picky, and will test your skills more than any other species out here. They run 15-25 inches on average in Lake Michigan, with some real monsters pushing 30+ and weighing over 10 pounds. These fish have beautiful golden-brown coloring with black spots and are known for being selective feeders. They love structure - drop-offs, rocky areas, and anywhere baitfish gather. Fall is prime time when they feed aggressively before winter, and they're much more active at night. What makes browns special is their wariness - landing one feels like you've outsmarted a worthy opponent. The meat has a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. They can tolerate slightly warmer water than other trout, but still prefer the cooler depths. Here's the key: browns are spooky in daylight, but our night trips give you a huge advantage since they drop their guard and feed more openly after dark.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook are the kings of Lake Michigan for good reason - these are the biggest salmon you'll encounter out here. Most run 15-25 pounds, but 30+ pounders show up regularly, and the lake record is over 40. They're deep-water fish that stay near the bottom during the day, making our overnight trips perfect since they move up in the water column after dark. Kings have that distinctive black mouth and spots on their back and tail. The fight is more about power than acrobatics - they'll make long, sustained runs that'll test your drag system. The reddish-pink meat is top-shelf eating. These fish are light-sensitive, so they're much more cooperative at night or in low light conditions. Best technique I've found is running weighted lines deeper than you think - they often suspend 60-80 feet down even when feeding. When the full moon lights up the water, they get really active.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon are the acrobats of Lake Michigan - known for their silver sides and spectacular jumps when hooked. These fighters typically run 12-30 inches and weigh 8-12 pounds, though we've seen some real bruisers push past 20. They love cooler water and feed actively during our moonlit trips, especially around structure and drop-offs. Spring through fall offers the best action, with night fishing being particularly productive since they're naturally more active in low light. What makes coho special is their aggressive strikes and aerial shows - they'll jump clean out of the water multiple times during the fight. The bright orange meat is excellent eating too. Pro tip: when trolling at night, run your spoons a bit faster than you would during the day - coho are aggressive feeders and the extra speed triggers strikes.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water specialists of Lake Michigan - true natives that love the cold, deep basins where most other fish won't venture. These are big fish, commonly 24-36 inches and 15-25 pounds, with some real giants over 40 pounds lurking in the depths. They have grey-green coloring with cream-colored spots and prefer water temperatures around 50°F or colder. You'll find them suspended over deep water, often 80-150 feet down during summer. Lakers are more active during low-light periods, making our full moon trips ideal. They're strong fighters with surprising stamina for their size, and the meat is excellent when prepared right. What guests love is the challenge of the deep-water fishing and the trophy potential - these fish live a long time and grow big. Night fishing tip: use jigging spoons or swimbaits and drop them deep - lakers often sit just off the bottom and will move up to hit a lure worked vertically above them.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are Lake Michigan's ultimate challenge fish - they're basically rainbow trout that have developed ocean-like habits in the big water. These silver torpedoes average 24 inches but can stretch past 35, with the larger ones putting up fights that'll test your tackle and patience. They roam the open lake most of the year, coming closer to shore during spring and fall runs. What sets them apart is their raw power and endurance - a good steelhead will make multiple runs and jump repeatedly. The meat is firm and flavorful, similar to salmon. They prefer cooler water temperatures, making our full moon trips ideal since they're more active during low-light periods. Night fishing gives you a real advantage because they're less spooky. My go-to tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but let them run - trying to muscle them in early usually ends with a straightened hook.
Lake Michigan