Afternoon Salmon Fishing on Lake Michigan
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Sixhour afternoon salmon fishing trip departing at 1:00 PM.Private charter accommodates up to six guests on Lake Michigan.All fishing gear and fish cleaning services included onboard.
If you're not a morning person but still want to experience world-class salmon fishing on Lake Michigan, this afternoon charter is your ticket to an amazing day on the water. Captain Chris runs this popular 6-hour trip every Friday through Sunday, departing at 1:00 PM sharp from Kenosha. You'll cruise the deep waters of Lake Michigan aboard the High Life II, a top-rated fishing vessel that's built for comfort and performance. With room for up to 6 anglers, this private charter gives your group the freedom to fish at your own pace while targeting some of the lake's most prized salmon species.
The High Life II is no ordinary fishing boat – she's powered by twin 700HP engines that'll get you to the productive waters fast, leaving more time for what you came here to do: catch fish. The vessel comes equipped with air conditioning for those warm summer afternoons, GPS navigation to pinpoint the best fishing spots, and a private bathroom so you can stay comfortable during the entire 6-hour trip. Captain Chris knows these waters like the back of his hand and has spent years mapping out the hotspots where Chinook and Coho salmon love to cruise. The afternoon departure time actually works in your favor – the lake tends to calm down as the day progresses, and the salmon often become more active as the sun starts to angle lower in the sky. You'll cover serious ground during this extended half-day trip, moving between different depth zones and structure points where the big fish like to hang out.
This is a trolling operation from start to finish, which is hands-down the most effective way to target salmon in Lake Michigan's vast open waters. Captain Chris runs a spread of downriggers, planer boards, and lead core lines to cover multiple depth zones simultaneously. The boat carries all the gear you'll need – from the heavy-duty rods and reels designed specifically for Great Lakes salmon fishing to the tackle boxes loaded with proven spoons, plugs, and flasher rigs. You don't need to bring anything except your fishing license and a cooler for your catch. The trolling setup allows the boat to cover miles of water while presenting lures at the exact depths where salmon are feeding. Captain Chris constantly monitors his fish finder and adjusts the spread based on what he's seeing below. When a rod fires off, you'll know it immediately – these salmon hit hard and fight even harder. The captain handles all the net work and gets your fish safely in the boat, then it's right back to fishing. At the end of the trip, he'll clean and bag your entire catch so it's ready for the grill.
Chinook salmon are the undisputed kings of Lake Michigan, and for good reason. These bruisers can exceed 30 pounds and will test your arms, back, and resolve during a fight that can last 15 minutes or more. Chinooks prefer the deeper, cooler waters during summer months, often holding 80-120 feet down where the temperature is just right. They're aggressive feeders that can't resist a well-presented spoon or plug, especially in silver, green, or blue patterns. What makes catching a Chinook so special isn't just the size – it's the way they fight with powerful runs and head-shaking jumps that'll get your heart pumping. The meat is rich and flavorful, perfect for grilling or smoking. Peak Chinook action typically runs from late spring through early fall, with afternoon trips often producing some of the biggest fish of the day.
Coho salmon bring a different kind of excitement to the table – they're acrobatic fighters that love to jump and run when hooked. While they typically range from 5-15 pounds, don't let the smaller size fool you. Cohos are lightning fast and will put on an aerial show that's pure entertainment. They tend to feed higher in the water column than Chinooks, often cruising 40-80 feet down where they chase schools of alewives and other baitfish. Cohos respond well to bright, flashy lures and are known for their aggressive strikes. The best part about Coho salmon is their versatility on the dinner table – the meat is milder than Chinook and works great for everything from cedar plank grilling to making salmon burgers. These fish are most active during the cooler parts of the day, which makes afternoon trips particularly productive as the sun starts to set.
At $775 for your entire group of up to 6 people, this private charter delivers exceptional value for a premium Lake Michigan fishing experience. You're getting a renowned captain, a world-class boat, all the gear you need, and professional fish cleaning service – everything required for a customer favorite afternoon on the water. The Friday through Sunday schedule makes it perfect for weekend getaways or special occasions when you want to try something different. Captain Chris offers free cancellation with 7 days' notice, so you can book with confidence knowing you're covered if the weather doesn't cooperate. Lake Michigan's salmon fishing is trending upward, and these afternoon trips are booking fast during peak season. Don't wait until the last minute – secure your spot now and get ready for some of the best salmon fishing the Great Lakes have to offer.
Meet the High Life II—your ticket to serious salmon action on Lake Michigan. This 32-foot Wellcraft sportfisher packs twin 700HP Chevy engines that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast and keep you moving between hotspots. Captain Chris knows where the Chinook and Coho are biting, and with onboard GPS, radar, and fishfinder, you'll be trolling the most productive waters around Kenosha. The boat's loaded with creature comforts too—full A/C when the sun gets hot, a private bathroom, full kitchen, fridge for your catch, and even a bed if someone needs a quick nap between runs. The icebox keeps your drinks cold while you're working the lines. This isn't just a fishing boat; it's a floating basecamp designed for a full afternoon of chasing salmon. With room for up to 6 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to fight those hard-pulling lake trout without bumping elbows. All your gear's included, plus fish cleaning at the end of your trip.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Michigan, running 12-30+ pounds with some real monsters pushing over 40. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted backs stay deep, usually 60-120 feet down where it's cool. They're strong fighters but won't jump like coho - instead they make long, powerful runs that'll test your drag. The meat is rich and orange-pink, perfect for the grill. Spring through fall fishing is solid, but late summer can be outstanding when they're feeding heavy before their spawning run. Pro tip: when trolling, let your spoon or plug run way back - at least 200 feet behind the boat. Kings are spooky and that extra distance makes all the difference between a fish in the box and watching one swim away.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are pure adrenaline on the end of your line. These acrobatic fighters average 8-15 pounds and will jump clear out of the water multiple times during the fight - it's something you've got to see to believe. They cruise shallower than kings, typically 20-80 feet deep, and their bright silver sides make them easy to spot when they're jumping. The meat is firm and flavorful with that beautiful orange-red color. Best action runs from late spring through early fall when they're actively feeding on alewives. Unlike kings, coho will hit lures running closer to the boat, so don't be afraid to run them short - 75-100 feet back works great. When you hook one, keep steady pressure but let them jump. Fighting them too hard just tears the hook out.
Milwaukee