5.0(3 Reviews)Afternoon Salmon & Trout Charter on Lake Michigan
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour afternoon trip targets salmon and trout speciesFishing covers two prime areas for maximum catch opportunitiesProfessional first mate provides assistance throughout the charter
When you're looking for a serious fishing adventure on Lake Michigan, this 6-hour afternoon charter with Hold'em Sportfishing delivers everything you want in a single trip. Captain Greg and his crew know exactly where the fish are holding, and they'll put you on multiple species throughout the afternoon and evening hours. You'll cover two prime fishing zones during your time on the water – starting deep when the sun's high and the big fish are still active, then moving closer to shore as the light fades and the bite really turns on. With room for up to 4 anglers, this trip gives everyone plenty of space to fish comfortably while targeting Lake Trout, Steelhead, Brown Trout, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Pink Salmon.
This charter runs during prime afternoon and evening hours when Lake Michigan fishing really shines. You'll start the trip in deeper waters where fish stay active even during the bright midday period, then transition to shallower areas as the sun drops lower on the horizon. The crew knows how fish behavior changes throughout the day, and they'll adjust techniques and locations accordingly. Your skilled First Mate will be working the lines, switching tackle, and helping you land fish from start to finish. The boat is set up specifically for Great Lakes trolling, with all the electronics and gear needed to locate fish and keep you in the action. Remember to bring your Michigan fishing license, non-spray sunscreen, plenty of water and snacks for the 6-hour trip, and a cooler to take your catch home. The crew appreciates a 10-20% tip for their hard work keeping you on fish all day.
Lake Michigan trolling is all about covering water efficiently while presenting lures at the right depths and speeds. The boat runs a spread of downriggers, planer boards, and lead core lines to target different zones in the water column simultaneously. Depending on conditions and what the fish are doing, you might be pulling spoons, plugs, or cut bait behind dodgers and flashers. The crew handles all the technical stuff – setting lines, watching the electronics, and calling the shots on lure changes. When a rod goes off, they'll coach you through the fight and make sure you land your fish properly. The key to success here is reading the water temperature breaks, following bait schools, and adjusting your presentation as conditions change throughout the trip. Lake Michigan's thermal layers create distinct fishing zones, and experienced captains like Greg know exactly how to work these areas for consistent action.
"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 some of the most athletic fish you'll encounter on Lake Michigan. These silver rockets can jump multiple times during a fight and make blistering runs that'll test your drag system. Most Steelhead range from 5-12 pounds, though bigger fish over 15 pounds show up regularly. They're active throughout the year but really turn on during spring and fall periods when they're staging near river mouths. What makes Steelhead so popular is their aggressive nature – they'll hit lures hard and fight clean, making them perfect for anglers who want action and great table fare.
Pink Salmon run in odd-numbered years and create some of the fastest fishing Lake Michigan has to offer. These smaller salmon, typically 2-4 pounds, make up for their size with sheer numbers and willingness to bite. When the Pinks are in, you can catch dozens of fish in a single trip. They're most active from late July through September, and they'll hit small spoons and flies aggressively. Pink Salmon are perfect for kids and new anglers since they bite readily and don't require heavy tackle to land.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan – literally. These powerful fish can exceed 30 pounds and provide battles that'll leave you exhausted. Most Chinooks run 8-20 pounds, but the potential for a true trophy keeps anglers coming back. They're most active from spring through fall, with peak action during summer months when
Our 32' Sportfish Convertible is built to handle Lake Michigan's waters while keeping you comfortable during those 6-hour afternoon fishing sessions. With space for 4 anglers, this boat comes loaded with serious trolling gear, downriggers, and live sonar to help you track down salmon and trout in both deep water and nearshore zones. The enclosed salon gives you a break from the sun when needed, plus there's a flush toilet onboard so you don't have to cut your fishing short. We've got an icebox and refrigerator to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh, while GPS, radar, and fish finder technology help us locate the best spots for Chinook, Coho, Steelhead, Browns, Lakers, and Pinks. The boat's design handles Lake Michigan's conditions well, letting you focus on fighting fish instead of fighting seasickness.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are known for being smart and spooky, which makes them a favorite challenge for serious anglers. They typically range 8-24 inches and 1-9 pounds, with golden-brown backs covered in black spots. These fish love structure - think rocky areas, drop-offs, and anywhere they can ambush prey. They're most active during low-light periods, especially fall nights when they feed aggressively before winter. What guests appreciate about browns is their wariness makes them a real trophy - plus the mild, sweet flesh is fantastic eating. Spring and fall are prime seasons when water temps hit that 54-65°F sweet spot. Since browns are easily spooked in clear water, try fishing deeper during bright days or switch to more natural presentations. A good tip: look for areas with current breaks or cover where they can hold without working too hard.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon, also known as Kings, are the heavyweights of Lake Michigan - averaging 15-20 pounds but capable of hitting 30+ pounds. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted backs prefer deeper, colder water and are light-sensitive, so they typically hold near the bottom during bright days. Early morning, evening, and overcast conditions are your best bets. Spring through early fall produces the most consistent action as they follow baitfish. What makes Kings special is that legendary fight - they'll make long, powerful runs that test your drag and your patience. The rich, orange-pink meat is considered premium table fare. Since they're bottom-oriented, use downriggers or weighted lines to get your lures down where they're cruising. Bright spoons and plugs work well, but don't overlook natural bait presentations.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of the char family, commonly running 15-40 pounds and reaching lengths of 24-36 inches in Lake Michigan. These grey-green fish with yellow markings are true cold-water specialists, spending most of their time suspended in the deepest, coldest parts of the lake. They're most accessible right after ice-out in spring when they move shallower, and again in fall when surface temps drop. What makes lakers special is their size and the challenge of fishing deep water - some days we're marking fish 100+ feet down. They're excellent eating with firm, flaky meat. Since they avoid bright light, overcast days and low-light periods produce best. Jigging is king for lake trout - use heavy jigs, spoons, or swimbaits that can get down fast and stay in the strike zone.
Oncorhynchus GorbuschaPink salmon are the smallest of the salmon family, typically weighing 4-5 pounds, but they make up for size with sheer numbers during their runs. Also called humpbacks for the distinctive hump males develop, they prefer cold water around 50°F and tend to school in mid-depths. Their 2-year life cycle means they show up in odd-numbered years in big waves, making those seasons really exciting. What guests love about pinks is their aggressive nature - they'll hit bright lures hard and put up a scrappy fight. The pink flesh is delicious and high in omega-3s, perfect for smoking or grilling. These fish respond well to bright colored jigs, especially pink and chartreuse. Here's a tip: when you find one pink, there's usually a whole school nearby, so work the area thoroughly with fast, erratic retrieves.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout typically run 8-24 inches and average 2-8 pounds in Lake Michigan. You'll find them in cooler waters, usually 55-64°F, which means they move deeper during hot summer days and come up when conditions cool down. These fish love clean, well-oxygenated water and will often cruise near structure or drop-offs. Spring and fall are prime times when water temps are perfect, but overcast days can be productive year-round. Guests love rainbows for their acrobatic fights - they'll jump and run hard once hooked. The pink flesh makes excellent eating too, with a mild, slightly nutty flavor that's perfect grilled or baked. Pro tip: when the water's clear, downsize your tackle and use more natural presentations. These fish can be spooky in bright conditions.
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