Your Captain
Greg Windau
Identity Verified
At Hold’em Sportfishing, we believe salmon fishing on Lake Michigan is more than just a sport — it’s an opportunity to connect with nature, make lasting memories, and enjoy the quiet focus that comes from time spent on the water.
Our Lake Michigan salmon charters operate out of Milwaukee, one of the Midwest's top ports for sportfishing. Depending on the season, anglers can reel in a variety of prized species, including Coho and Chinook Salmon, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout (Steelhead), and Brown Trout. The best time for salmon fishing on Lake Michigan often falls between late spring and early fall, when water temperatures are optimal and fish are actively feeding nearshore and offshore. No matter the season, we’ll take you to proven fishing spots where action is most likely.
Captain Greg brings over 45 years of hands-on experience navigating these waters. As a lifelong Wisconsin resident, he knows the local fishing patterns inside and out. His calm, patient approach makes him a favorite with beginners, families with young children, and those trying Lake Michigan salmon fishing for the first time. Every trip is designed to be family-friendly, with a focus on comfort, safety, and fun. From helping you set lines to offering tips on how to fight and land your catch, our crew is here to ensure you feel confident every step of the way.
You’ll fish aboard a 32’ Sportfish Convertible, fully equipped with advanced trolling gear, sonar, downriggers, and all necessary fishing tackle. The boat offers a fully enclosed cabin with a restroom, cushioned seating for up to five guests, and plenty of deck space to move around. Whether you're relaxing between bites or getting ready to reel in a big one, the vessel is designed for comfort and convenience, even on longer outings. With the capacity for up to six anglers, our Lake Michigan salmon charters are ideal for group trips or family outings.
We recommend purchasing your Wisconsin fishing license ahead of your scheduled trip and bringing sunscreen (avoid sprays), drinks, and sunglasses. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, but please leave the glass bottles and hard liquor at home. Tipping your First Mate (10–20%) is appreciated, as they work hard to make your day productive and fun. For a rewarding day on the water, look no further than Hold’em Sportfishing — your trusted source for Milwaukee salmon fishing charters.
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When you book your fishing trip, you will need to first put down a deposit to hold the reservation.
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What's Included
Your Guide has some important details about your trip with them.
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When you book your fishing trip, you will need to first put down a deposit to hold the reservation.
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Hold'em Sportfishing
Boat Type:
Boat Guest Capacity:
6
Boat Length:
32 ft
Manufacturer Name:
Carver
Model Year:
1984
Engine Manufacturer Name:
Mercruiser
# of Engines:
2
Horsepower Per Engine:
260
Maximum Cruising Speed:
20
Features: Outriggers Toilet Ice-Box Refrigerator Fish Finder GPS Radar
Step aboard our 32’ Sportfish Convertible, built for comfort and performance on Lake Michigan. With room for 6 guests, it features top-tier trolling gear, downriggers, live sonar, charting tech, a flush toilet, and a cozy enclosed salon—perfect for relaxing between bites or chatting with the captain
Hold'em Sportfishing
Boat Type:
Boat Guest Capacity:
6
Boat Length:
32 ft
Vehicle Details
The action is heating up again in Milwaukee! We've had some slower trips in June and some fantastic ones to follow, yet all these wonderful groups of anglers had a blast catching these quality fish! And there have been some monsters coming in - BIG Chinooks and HUGE Rainbows. THIS is the best time to get in on this, it's setting up to be another FiNTastic July!!! Call or Message for your reservation: 262-951-5605 Captain Greg
Milwaukee fishing is still going strong, with fair numbers of cohos still around. And now they are King* sized! Plus more Chinooks and Rainbows in every box. It's good to see young anglers through the older ones all having a great time fishing for (and catching) some of these great fish. Family groups of several generations all sharing equally in this great fishing experience. Get your group together and make your own memories! Captain Greg (262) 951-5605
The lake conditions most of the weekend were certainly not ideal - yet these anglers braved the wild ride to catch good numbers of high quality fish! Milwaukee fishing remains hot 🥵, get your trip in soon! Captain Greg (262) 951-5605
Fishing activity in Milwaukee's Lake Michigan waters is heating up this May, offering anglers exciting opportunities to target various salmon and trout species. Coho Salmon Action: Coho salmon are currently abundant along the Milwaukee shoreline, particularly between the North and South Gaps of the harbor. Anglers are finding success trolling in 10 to 15 feet of water using orange dodgers paired with peanut flies. This setup has been effective in attracting Coho salmon, which are actively feeding in these areas. Brown Trout and Chinook Salmon: While Coho salmon dominate the catch, there have been reports of Brown trout activity, especially around the South Gap of the Milwaukee harbor. Trolling with spoons has yielded some Brown trout, and occasionally, Chinook salmon in the 10 to 14-pound range are being caught, adding to the excitement for anglers seeking larger fish. Fishing Techniques: Successful anglers are employing a combination of trolling methods, utilizing lead core lines and dipsy divers to reach varying depths. Spoons like the Moonshine UV Green Flounder Pounder and Stinger Orange Crush have been productive, especially when targeting Coho salmon near the surface. Adjusting trolling speeds and depths based on water temperature and fish activity has been key to maximizing catch rates. Best Times to Fish: Early morning and late afternoon have proven to be the most productive times for fishing, aligning with the peak feeding periods of salmon and trout. Monitoring weather conditions and water temperatures can also aid in planning successful fishing trips. Licensing and Regulations: Anglers are reminded to ensure they have a valid Wisconsin fishing license before heading out. Licenses can be purchased online through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website or at authorized vendors. With favorable conditions and active fish populations, May is shaping up to be an excellent month for fishing in Milwaukee's Lake Michigan waters.
Ratings & Reviews Summary
July 11, 2025
We had an awesome experience with Hold’em Sportfishing aboard the Kings Full on Saturday of Memorial weekend 2022. We arrived on the dock at 4:45am and Captain Greg and his first mate was ready to go. After a thorough safety briefing and answering any of our initial questions, we were off. We ran out about 20 minutes out of the harbor and started setting lines so we were ready when we went over several waypoints. It didn’t take long and we had a triple of Coho on the lines. We ended up with a limit of fish which is icing on the cake. Fishing is fishing and there are no guarantees that there will be a limit or even a fish in the boat. I know that Captain Greg would be working his tail off to get us on fish if we weren’t into them, but we were that day. The Kings Full boat is large, comfortable, and we’ll equipped. A full bathroom is much appreciated (particularly by my wife and daughters). Fishing equipment on board was set and ready to go. They have a tradition that one of the clients on board gets to pick the last spoon to send out and if that bait hits then whoever picked it gets to fight that fish! Fun stuff. Of course my spoon didn’t hit, but when my daughters got to pick one of course they both hit! We had several triples and doubles when we were out. Lots of excitement, but we were never rushed or had orders barked at us. First Mate Cathy is the best. Captain Greg has extensive Lake Michigan fishing knowledge and is more than willing to entertain questions from Lake Michigan newbies. We came home with 25lbs+ of fresh salmon and lake trout. All expertly filleted and bagged for us. We’ll have salmon dinners oncea week for the next 20 weeks!! Thanks to Captain Greg and First Mate Cathy for providing my family a wonderful and safe Great Lakes fishing experience!! When do the the King Salmon start?????
July 11, 2025
What an exciting adventure we had with Hold'em fishing Charter🐟 From the skilfull maneuvering and guidance of Captain Greg who knows right where the fish are 🐠 to the 1st mate Cathy who's glistening smile lit up our voyage through the sparkling waters of lake Michigan 😊 They not only know what they're doing but they made it a cruse filled with cherished memories of laughter and smiles I will never forget. 😍 We were all submerged in the flourishing bliss of a lifetime invited to experience an enchanting stress-free journey hook line & sinker 😉 Thanks! it doesn't get better than this!🥰
July 11, 2025
Captain Greg and his first mate Cathy were perfect! What an awesome experience fishing with them and the guys. It was a great day!
July 11, 2025
Hold’em Sportfishing is an awesome charter out on Lake Michigan. My family had a fantastic time and we got to bring home lots of fish! Captain Greg was a great, experienced instructor and is very passionate about what he does. Him and his wife are a great team and work noticeably hard to keep the crew entertained! If you are looking for a great time with family or friends, I highly recommend booking with Hold’em Sportfishing!!
July 11, 2025
Phenomenal trip! Captain Greg and First Mate Cathy were awesome to fish with! They had us on fish all day and were having as much fun as all of us. They are extremely knowledgeable and their passion for fishing and great customer service really shows. We cannot wait to go back!
July 11, 2025
I cannot say enough good things about this charter. We were on fish the whole day, 5 different species of fish and some serious giants!! We were 1 fish short of a 20 fish limit. Greg knows his stuff, I promise you will not be disappointed!!