5.0(3 Reviews)Extended Half Day Morning Salmon Trip In Kenosha
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Private 6hour salmon fishing charter on Lake MichiganTarget Chinook and Coho salmon with professional crew guidanceAll equipment, tackle, and fish cleaning services included
If you're serious about salmon fishing on Lake Michigan, this 6-hour morning charter with Captain Chris is exactly what you need. Starting at 5:00 AM when the fish are most active, you'll spend quality time targeting Chinook and Coho salmon in some of the most productive waters around Kenosha. This isn't your typical tourist trip – it's a dedicated fishing experience designed for anglers who want to get into serious salmon action. With room for up to 6 people, it's perfect for groups looking to escape the crowds and focus on what really matters: hooking into Lake Michigan's premier gamefish.
Captain Chris runs the High Life II, a 32-foot Wellcraft that's built for serious fishing. Twin 700HP engines get you to the fish fast, while the spacious deck gives everyone room to fight their catch without getting tangled up. The boat comes equipped with GPS fish finders, air conditioning for those warmer mornings, and a private enclosed head – all the comforts that make a long day on the water more enjoyable. You'll launch in the pre-dawn darkness, timing your arrival at the fishing grounds right when salmon start their morning feed. The early start might seem tough, but any serious angler knows that's when the magic happens on Lake Michigan. Captain Chris provides all rods, reels, tackle, and bait, plus he'll clean your catch so you go home with fillets ready for the grill.
This charter focuses on trolling, the most effective method for covering water and finding active salmon schools. Captain Chris runs a spread of downriggers and planer boards to present lures at various depths and distances from the boat. You'll use a mix of spoons, plugs, and cut bait depending on what the fish are hitting. The boat's electronics help locate baitfish schools and temperature breaks where salmon congregate. Don't worry if you're new to trolling – the crew handles all the technical stuff like line counter settings and lure selection. Your job is simple: when a rod tip starts dancing and the drag starts screaming, grab that rod and hang on. The fighting chairs and rail system on the High Life II make battling big Chinook much more manageable, even for less experienced anglers.
"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, also called King salmon, are the ultimate prize in Lake Michigan fishing. These powerful fish can reach 20-30 pounds or more, with some true giants pushing 40 pounds during peak season. Chinooks are notorious for their bulldogging runs and aerial displays when hooked. They prefer deeper, cooler water and are most active during early morning hours, making this dawn departure perfect timing. Spring through fall offers the best Chinook action in Kenosha waters, with fish moving in close to shore to feed on alewives and other baitfish. When you hook into a big King, expect a fight that'll test both your endurance and the boat's drag system.
Coho salmon bring a different kind of excitement to your fishing day. These acrobatic fighters are famous for their spectacular jumps and fast runs when hooked. Typically ranging from 5-15 pounds, Cohos make up for their smaller size with pure attitude and fighting spirit. They're often found in slightly shallower water than Chinooks and are aggressive feeders, making them more likely to hit lures throughout the morning. Cohos are excellent table fare with their firm, flaky meat that's perfect for grilling or smoking. During summer months, schools of Cohos cruise Kenosha's nearshore waters, providing consistent action for charter boats willing to put in the time to find them.
This top-rated charter runs Friday through Sunday mornings at $775 for your group, making it one of the best values for serious salmon fishing in the Kenosha area. With free cancellation if you give 7 days notice, there's no risk in securing your date early. Captain Chris's reputation speaks for itself – professional, hardworking, and dedicated to putting his clients on fish. The High Life II provides a stable, comfortable platform that's perfect for both experienced anglers and newcomers to Lake Michigan salmon fishing. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, planning a guys' trip, or just want to experience world-class salmon fishing, this extended half-day charter gives you the time and expertise needed for a memorable day on the water.
The High Life II is your ticket to serious salmon action on Lake Michigan. This 32' Wellcraft sportfishing machine packs twin 700HP 454 Chevys that'll get you to the fish fast and keep you steady when the salmon are running hot. Built specifically for these waters, she's loaded with everything you need for a productive morning on the lake - GPS and radar to find the best spots, fishfinder to locate schools, plus air conditioning to keep you comfortable during the early dawn departure. The enclosed bathroom, full kitchen, fridge, and even a bed mean you can focus on fishing without any worries. Captain Chris knows exactly where Chinook and Coho like to feed, and with space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to work the lines without getting tangled up. All your rods, reels, and tackle are provided, plus they'll clean your catch so you can head home with dinner ready to go.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Michigan, running 12-30+ pounds with some monsters pushing even bigger. These silver-sided bruisers with dark backs and black-spotted fins are what serious salmon anglers dream about. They cruise the deeper, cooler waters and stay down most of the day since they're light-sensitive. That's why we start at 5 AM - the early morning bite is when they're most active and willing to hit our downrigger spreads. What makes kings special isn't just their size, it's the sustained runs and head-shaking fights that'll test your arms. The meat is top-shelf too - that deep orange flesh grills up perfect. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them. Let the drag work and stay patient - these fish have the power to straighten hooks if you rush the fight.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are the acrobats of Lake Michigan, typically running 8-12 pounds of pure energy. These chrome-sided fighters with dark blue-green backs love to jump - some can leap 6 feet straight up when hooked. You'll find them roaming mid-depths, often suspended over deeper water chasing baitfish. Cohos are less light-sensitive than kings, so they stay active longer into the morning, making them perfect targets for our extended trips. What guests love most is the aerial show - these fish will dance on their tails and make screaming runs that'll have your reel singing. The bright orange meat tastes fantastic too. Here's a local trick: when a coho jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water. This gives slack during the jump so they can't use their weight against the hook and throw it.
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