5.0(4 Reviews)Extended Half Day Salmon and Trout Fishing
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour afternoon trip targets salmon and trout speciesFishing covers deep waters and nearshore areas for varietyProfessional first mate assistance included with four-guest capacity
This 6-hour afternoon charter on Lake Michigan is designed for anglers who want to maximize their time on the water and their chances of filling the cooler. Captain Greg and his skilled crew know exactly how to work these waters, starting deep when the sun's high and the fish are active, then moving closer to shore as the light fades for prime feeding time. You'll be targeting some of the Great Lakes' most prized species - Lake Trout, Steelhead, Brown Trout, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Pink Salmon. With a maximum of 4 anglers, you'll get plenty of rod time and personalized attention from the crew.
Your afternoon starts with a strategic approach that sets this trip apart from shorter charters. While other boats are heading in, you're just getting started with the prime afternoon bite. The crew begins by working the deeper, offshore structure where fish hold during the bright midday hours. As the sun angle changes and evening approaches, you'll transition to nearshore waters where salmon and trout move shallow to feed. This two-location strategy gives you the best of both worlds - deep water stability and the action-packed shallow water bite. The first mate stays busy keeping lines in the water, swapping tackle, and getting fish in the net. Don't forget to bring your Michigan fishing license, some non-spray sunscreen, water, snacks, and a cooler with ice for your catch.
Lake Michigan fishing is all about trolling, and Captain Greg runs a tight operation with top-notch equipment. You'll be pulling a spread of downriggers, planer boards, and lead core setups to cover different depths and water columns simultaneously. The boat carries an arsenal of proven lures - spoons, plugs, and flasher-fly combinations in colors that produce in these waters. The crew handles all the technical stuff like setting depths, adjusting speeds, and reading the electronics, but they're happy to explain what's happening so you learn along the way. When a rod fires, they'll coach you through the fight and make sure you land your fish. The key to success here is constantly adjusting to what the fish want - different depths, speeds, and presentations until you crack the code.
"Hold'em was the best charter experience I have ever had. This is a must do again. Some of our crew has never been on Lake Michigan fishing. Captain Greg and first hand Shane made our trip one to never forget. Everyday is a great day to be fishing our trip was beyond that. Thank you" - Jay
"Fished a PM trip followed by one the next morning. The bite was tough due to extreme weather conditions days before but Captain Greg got us on fish and worked endlessly to keep us on them. His first mate Cathy handled lines and swapped out tackle with speed and great effort, timing and skill. Her instincts paid off leaving us with a full box of quality fish each trip. I have been on fifty or more Lake Michigan charters over the years and have never seen a crew like Captain Greg and First Mate Cathy work so smoothly together to fill our expectations and provide so much fun. Highly recommend them to everyone." - Patrick
"Our group of five friends booked a 6-hour trip targeting a variety of salmon and trout. Captain Greg did a great job of locating fish and putting us in the best position to get bites. The first mate, Cathy, was awesome in helping set various methods of trolling lines and helping us get fish in the boat. The Captain and Cathy were very knowledgeable about fishing on Lake Michigan, and it was great talking with them—we learned a lot throughout the trip. Between catching fish, we had great conversation and a lot of laughs. They were both incredibly friendly, which made the whole experience even better. The boat was also very comfortable and accommodating, which made the trip even more enjoyable. We ended the day with 10 fish, with one being over 10 lbs and the other over 15 lbs! This was a great experience, and we can't thank Captain Greg and Cathy enough!" - Andrew
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) are pure dynamite when hooked. These chrome-bright fighters average 6-12 pounds but can push well over 15. They're most active during the cooler parts of the day, making your afternoon timing perfect as they start feeding heavily toward evening. Steelhead are famous for their aerial displays and long runs that'll test your drag system. They prefer water temperatures in the 50s and are often found suspended over deeper water or relating to temperature breaks.
Pink Salmon show up in odd-numbered years and turn Lake Michigan into a fishing frenzy. These smaller salmon, typically 2-4 pounds, make up for their size with sheer numbers and aggressive strikes. They're perfect for anglers who want non-stop action, especially kids or beginners. Pinks prefer shallower water and smaller presentations, often hitting close to shore during their spawning runs in late summer.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of the Great Lakes, and for good reason. These powerhouse fish regularly hit 15-25 pounds, with trophy specimens pushing 30 pounds or more. They're built for deep water and long fights, often taking 200+ yards of line on their initial run. King salmon are most active in cooler water and low-light conditions, making your late afternoon timing ideal for connecting with a true trophy.
Brown Trout are the craftiest fish in the lake, known for their wariness and spectacular fights once hooked. These golden-flanked beauties average 8-15 pounds but can exceed 20. They're most active during dawn and dusk periods, preferring structure and temperature breaks. Browns are notorious for their last-second runs just when you think you've got them beaten, making every fight a nail-biter until
Jump on our 32' Sportfish Convertible and get ready to work Lake Michigan's salmon and trout waters like a pro. This boat's built for the big lake – equipped with downriggers and live sonar to put you right on the fish, plus radar when the weather gets moody. The enclosed salon gives you a break from wind and spray between hookups, while the flush toilet means no cutting trips short. With an icebox and fridge onboard, your drinks stay cold and your catch stays fresh. Our fish finder will locate schools holding in deeper water during the afternoon heat, then we'll move shallow as evening approaches for prime feeding time. Room for up to 6 anglers means plenty of space to fight those hard-running steelhead and kings without getting tangled up. GPS keeps us on productive spots, and all the trolling gear is tournament-grade. Perfect setup for targeting everything from lake trout to coho salmon in Michigan's productive waters.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smart ones - wary fish that average 8-20 inches but can surprise you with specimens over 24 inches and 10+ pounds. They're golden-brown with black spots and prefer cooler water around structure like drop-offs, weed lines, and rocky areas. These fish are most active during low-light periods, making our evening fishing perfect as the sun drops. They're known for their intelligence and fighting ability - expect head shakes and runs toward cover. The meat is excellent with a mild, sweet flavor. Fall fishing is peak when they're feeding aggressively before winter. Browns love crayfish patterns and earth-tone lures. Local secret: when we move closer to shore in the evening, focus on areas with rocky bottoms - that's where they hunt. Work your lure slow and steady; browns study their prey before committing.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook are the kings of Lake Michigan - massive salmon that average 15-20 pounds but can push 30+ pounds. These silver-sided bruisers have blue-green backs with black spots everywhere and distinctive black gums. They prefer deeper, cooler water and are light-sensitive, so they'll be down 40-100+ feet during bright afternoons, making our deep-water start perfect. The fight is legendary - long, powerful runs that'll test your gear and stamina. The reddish-pink meat is premium table fare, rich and flaky. Late spring through fall offers the best fishing, with overcast days being money. Here's the key: these fish are spooky, so we run long leads and keep boat noise down. When one hits, don't horse it - let the fish tire itself out on those deep runs before bringing it up.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of Lake Michigan, averaging 24-36 inches and 15-25 pounds, with some monsters pushing 40+ pounds. These gray-green fish with cream-colored spots live in the coldest, deepest water - often 80-200+ feet down in summer. They're slow-growing, long-lived fish that put up a steady, powerful fight rather than flashy jumps. The firm, pink meat is outstanding eating with a rich flavor. Spring after ice-out and fall are prime, but summer deep trolling produces well. Since they avoid bright light, overcast days are best. Here's what works: lake trout are curious but cautious. When jigging deep structure, drop your spoon to bottom, then work it 10-20 feet up. The key is varying your jigging rhythm - sometimes aggressive, then subtle. They'll often follow before striking.
Oncorhynchus GorbuschaPink salmon are the smallest Pacific salmon we target, averaging 4-5 pounds but occasionally hitting 8-10 pounds in Lake Michigan's rich waters. They're silver-bright with large black spots on their backs and tails, and males develop that characteristic hump during spawning runs. These fish love cold water and stay active even in bright conditions, making them perfect for our afternoon trips. They're scrappy fighters with surprising strength for their size, and the pink meat is delicious - mild and flaky with great omega-3 content. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily. Here's a local trick: bright pink jigs or spoons work best, and adding a small strip of cut bait or scent makes them irresistible. They're curious fish, so don't be afraid to work that lure.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout typically run 8-24 inches and 2-8 pounds in Lake Michigan, with that distinctive pink stripe making them easy to spot. They're actually steelhead here - same species, but these guys migrate between the lake and tributaries. You'll find them in cooler waters, usually 55-65°F, which means deeper during summer heat but closer to shore in spring and fall. They're scrappy fighters with acrobatic jumps that'll test your drag. The meat is excellent - mild, flaky, and perfect for the grill. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially early morning and evening. Pro tip: when trolling, vary your depth and speed - rainbows are curious and will often follow a lure before striking, so that speed change triggers the bite.
5.0 out of 5.0Hold'em was the best charter experience I have ever had. This is a must do again. Some of our crew has never been on Lake Michigan...
Fished a PM trip followed by one the next morning. The bite was tough due to extreme weather conditions days before but Captain Gr...
Our group of five friends booked a 6-hour trip targeting a variety of salmon and trout. Captain Greg did a great job of locating f...
Lake Michigan