5.0(3 Reviews)Extended Half Day Morning Guided Salmon Fishing
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Private 6-hour salmon fishing trip on Lake MichiganTarget Chinook and Coho salmon with professional crew guidanceAll equipment, tackle, and fish cleaning services included
Picture this: it's 5 AM, the lake is glass-calm, and you're stepping aboard the High Life II with Captain Chris and his crew. This isn't your average fishing trip – it's a 6-hour private charter designed to put you on some of the best salmon action Lake Michigan has to offer. With room for up to 6 anglers and a boat that's built for serious fishing, you're about to experience why Kenosha waters have earned their reputation among Great Lakes salmon fishermen.
Captain Chris runs the High Life II, a 32-foot Wellcraft sportfishing boat that's perfectly rigged for Lake Michigan salmon fishing. Those twin 700HP engines aren't just for show – they'll get you to the fish fast and keep you comfortable when conditions pick up. The boat comes equipped with GPS fish finders, air conditioning for those warm summer mornings, and a private enclosed head so you can focus on fishing without worrying about the basics. Available Friday through Sunday at $775 for your private group, this charter targets the early morning bite when salmon are most active. You'll launch in the pre-dawn darkness and work the prime feeding areas as the sun comes up – that's when the magic happens. All your rods, reels, tackle, and fish cleaning are included, so you just need to show up ready to fish. The crew handles everything from rigging lines to netting fish, letting you concentrate on the fight.
Lake Michigan salmon fishing is all about trolling, and Captain Chris has the technique dialed in. The High Life II runs multiple downriggers and planer boards to cover different depths and spread your lines wide. You'll be working everything from shallow water structure to deep thermoclines where salmon stack up to feed. The crew uses a mix of spoons, dodgers with flies, and body baits depending on conditions and what the fish are hitting. Don't worry if you've never run downriggers before – the crew will walk you through everything. When a rod fires, they'll clear the other lines so you can fight your fish without tangles. The boat's stable platform and fighting chairs make it easy to handle even the biggest kings. Water temperatures, wind direction, and baitfish location all factor into where you'll fish, and Captain Chris reads these conditions like a book.
"Had a great time with captain Chris, very helpful very professional, got us in at the last minute great weather, would recommend captain Chris to anyone he is a great guy and a great captain" - Julian
"Best Charter! We had a group of 3 go out for a birthday celebration charter, and Captain Chris and Mike were absolutely amazing! I could not have asked for a better day out on the lake. We got 7 keeps and they were filleted or gutted as you wanted before you got to shore. With catching fish like these, you have to go to the best source. Not only were they knowledgeable and helpful during the trip, but they were also extremely friendly and personable. Giving us pointers, and keeping up with the, "trash-talk" was just what the Doctor ordered! I can't wait to book our next charter with Chris and Mike...you can't go wrong with this pair!" - Eric
"Great charter captain, Chris rugg, he works hard and is very good at what he does. The boat is Avery nice. Craft, stable and a wonderful fishing platform" - Jeff
Chinook salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan, and for good reason. These bruiser fish commonly run 15-25 pounds, with trophy specimens pushing 30 pounds or more. Chinooks are aggressive feeders that put up spectacular fights, often making long runs and jumping clear of the water. They're most active during the cooler morning hours, which is exactly when this charter targets them. Spring through early fall offers the best action, with fish staging near river mouths and following baitfish schools. When you hook into a big king, you'll understand why salmon fishing is addictive – the screaming drag and bent rod never get old.
Coho salmon might be smaller than their Chinook cousins, but they make up for it with pure athleticism. These silver rockets typically range from 5-12 pounds and are absolute acrobats when hooked. Cohos love to jump, often clearing the water multiple times during a fight. They're also more likely to stay in the upper water column, making them perfect targets for this morning charter. Coho fishing peaks during late summer and early fall, but you can find them throughout the season. Their firm, pink meat is considered by many to be the best eating of all the salmon species, making them a favorite with anglers who like to keep a few fish for the table.
This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to experience world-class salmon fishing with a captain who knows these waters inside and out. The High Life II gives you the platform and equipment to succeed, while Captain Chris and his crew provide the local knowledge that makes the difference between a good day and a great day. With free cancellation if you give 7 days notice, there's no risk in booking your spot. Morning bites don't wait, and neither should you. Weekend slots fill up fast during peak season, so grab your crew and get ready to tangle with some Lake Michigan salmon that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
Meet the High Life II—your ticket to serious salmon action on Lake Michigan. This 32' Wellcraft sportfisher packs twin 700HP Chevy engines that'll get you to the hot spots fast, while the onboard GPS and fishfinder help Captain Chris locate where the Chinook and Coho are biting. When you need a break from fighting fish, cool off with the A/C, grab a cold drink from the fridge, or use the private enclosed head. The full galley keeps snacks handy during those early morning runs, and if someone needs to rest between strikes, there's even a bed below deck. Built specifically for Lake Michigan's conditions, this boat handles everything from calm dawn waters to afternoon chop, keeping your crew of up to 6 anglers comfortable and ready for the next screaming drag.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the biggest fish we target out of Kenosha, and they'll give you a workout. These silver-sided bruisers typically run 12-20 pounds in Lake Michigan, though we've pulled some real giants over 30. They cruise deeper water during daylight hours, usually 60-120 feet down where it's cooler. Chinooks are light-sensitive, so they feed most actively during our early morning trips when the sun's low. What makes them special is that bone-jarring first run when they realize they're hooked – pure power. The meat is rich and orange-red, perfect for grilling. Here's a tip: when you feel that subtle tick on your rod, don't set the hook hard. Just lift steady and let the downrigger do the work. These fish have soft mouths, and a gentle approach lands more kings than yanking.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are the acrobats of Lake Michigan – when you hook one, get ready for a show. These athletic fish jump clean out of the water and run hard, making them a blast to fight on lighter tackle. Cohos average 8-12 pounds and love cruising mid-depths, usually 40-80 feet down. They're more active than kings during daylight, so we catch them consistently throughout our morning trips. The bright orange meat is fantastic eating, and their aggressive nature means steady action when we find schools. What sets them apart is their willingness to chase lures – they'll often follow baits right to the boat before striking. Pro tip: when a coho jumps, bow your rod toward the fish to keep tension without breaking them off. They can jump six feet high, so give them slack during those aerial displays and you'll land more fish.
5.0 out of 5.0Had a great time with captain Chris, very helpful very professional, got us in at the last minute great weather, would recommend c...
Best Charter! We had a group of 3 go out for a birthday celebration charter, and Captain Chris and Mike were absolutely amazing! I...
Great charter captain, Chris rugg, he works hard and is very good at what he does. The boat is Avery nice. Craft, stable and a w...
Milwaukee