5.0(2 Reviews)Extended Half Day Lake Michigan Salmon & Trout
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour morning trip targets salmon and trout speciesSkilled First Mate provides assistance throughout the fishing experienceCaptain explores prime Lake Michigan areas for optimal catches
Looking for the perfect balance between serious fishing time and a manageable schedule? This 6-hour morning charter with Hold'em Sportfishing hits that sweet spot. Captain Greg and his crew know Lake Michigan's productive waters like the back of their hands, and they'll put you on fish while the morning bite is hot. With space for up to 4 anglers, this trip gives you plenty of elbow room to work the rods without feeling crowded. The extended half-day format means more time to dial in on feeding fish and explore multiple spots if needed.
You'll launch out of McKinley Marina in Milwaukee with Captain Greg, who runs this operation alongside his wife Cathy as first mate. These aren't your typical charter operators – they treat every group like family and genuinely care about putting you on fish. The 6-hour window gives the captain flexibility to move around and find active schools, whether that's working structure for lake trout or running and gunning for salmon. Morning trips take advantage of the best feeding periods when fish are most active near the surface. The crew handles all the technical stuff – reading sonar, adjusting downriggers, and managing the spread – while you focus on fighting fish. Don't forget your fishing license, and bring along sunscreen (skip the spray kind), snacks, water, and a cooler to take your catch home.
Lake Michigan fishing is all about covering water and presenting lures at the right depths where fish are holding. The boat runs a full spread of downriggers and planer boards to get maximum coverage, with lines running anywhere from 20 feet down to over 100 feet depending on where the fish are marking. Spoons, dodger-and-fly combos, and plugs make up the core arsenal, with colors and presentations adjusted based on water clarity and fish behavior. The crew monitors water temperature breaks and current edges where baitfish concentrate – that's where the predators set up to feed. During peak season, you might work thermal bars in 80-150 feet of water, while other times the action happens in shallower zones. The downriggers do the heavy lifting for depth control, but when a fish hits, you're fighting it on a free line with just rod and reel.
"Wow! exceptional charter fishing experience. Captain Greg and Cathy are a husband/wife Team. Captain Greg introduced his "first mate" as one of the best in Milwaukee and that, we quickly saw, is the truth. These two went above and beyond in every way with an attitude of EXCELLENCE in every touch. HIGHLY recommend Hold'em Sportfishing out of McKinley Marina, Milwaukee. Mom, Dad, and three sisters went out on this trip for our Father's day wish. Every thing from the safety of the boat, to navigating to determined hunting down the fish, to docking, cleaning & packaging the fish for take home and EVEN photos with several phones. This couple has a passion in what they are doing and provided an experience as though we were their own family. Besides some lake trout, king salmon, and rainbow trout, we have memories that will last a lifetime." - Billie
"We had a absolute blast the Captain (Greg) and his first mate had us hooked up all day with some monster fish definitely recommend to anyone who is interested great people kind and always making sure your having a fun time thank you again Hold'em Sportfishing🤘🫶" - Charles
Pink Salmon show up in odd-numbered years during late summer, creating some of the most exciting light-tackle action on the Great Lakes. These scrappy fighters average 2-4 pounds and attack lures with aggressive strikes that'll wake you up fast. They school heavily and when you find them, multiple hookups are common. Pinks prefer the upper water column and respond well to smaller spoons and flies in bright colors.
Coho Salmon are the acrobats of Lake Michigan, known for their spectacular jumps and blistering runs. These silver bullets typically range 3-8 pounds and provide some of the most fun fights you'll experience. They're active throughout the season but peak in late summer and fall. Cohos often suspend in 40-80 feet of water and love flashy presentations like silver spoons and cut-plug herring.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of the lake for good reason – these bruizers can push 20-30 pounds and will test your tackle to the limit. They're the primary target for many charter trips because of their size and excellent table quality. Kings prefer deeper, cooler water and often require heavy tackle and patient fighting techniques. Landing a mature chinook is a badge of honor that'll have you planning your next trip before you hit the dock.
Brown Trout are the opportunists of Lake Michigan, often following salmon schools to pick off scattered baitfish. These golden beauties are incredibly smart and can be finicky feeders, making them a prized catch. They range from 3-15 pounds and are known for their pink, flaky meat. Browns often hold closer to structure and respond to more natural presentations like stick baits and subtle spoons.
Lake Trout are the native residents that patrol the deepest, coldest parts of the lake. These prehistoric-looking fish can live for decades and reach impressive sizes. Lakers typically hold in 100+ feet of water during summer months and require heavy downrigger presentations. They're excellent eating when handled properly and provide steady action when other species are finicky. Their pale, flaky meat is perfect for smoking or grilling.
This extended half-day format gives you serious fishing time without burning a whole day, making it perfect for families or anglers who want quality over quantity. Captain Greg's reputation speaks for itself – customers keep coming back because he consistently puts people on fish while creating a fun, relax
Step aboard our well-equipped 32' Sportfish Convertible and get ready to work the productive waters of Lake Michigan. This boat was built for serious fishing, with room for up to 6 anglers and all the gear you need to target salmon and trout. We've got professional-grade trolling equipment, downriggers, and live sonar to help locate those fish holding in deeper waters. The fish finder keeps us on top of the action while GPS and radar ensure we can navigate safely in any conditions. Between hookups, you can take a break in the enclosed salon or grab a cold drink from the onboard refrigerator. There's even a proper toilet so you won't miss any fishing time. Our experienced First Mate will be there to help with nets, lines, and getting your catch ready for the cooler.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the crafty veterans of Lake Michigan - smart, cautious fish that can live up to 20 years and reach impressive sizes. These golden-brown beauties with black spots average 8-24 inches but can stretch to nearly 40 inches in our waters. They're homebodies that stick close to structure like rocky reefs, drop-offs, and piers where they ambush prey. Fall brings the most aggressive feeding as they prepare for winter. What makes browns special is their wariness - they'll test your skills and reward patience with explosive fights. The firm, mild-flavored meat is excellent eating. They prefer cooler water temps around 54-65°F and hunt most actively in low light. My favorite approach is trolling small spoons near bottom structure during overcast conditions. These fish remember lures, so switching up colors and speeds keeps them guessing.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook are the kings of Lake Michigan - massive salmon that can top 30 pounds and fight like freight trains. These silver-sided giants with black-spotted backs prefer deeper, colder water and tend to hug the bottom during bright conditions. Early morning and evening offer the best shots at them since they're light-sensitive. What draws people to chinook fishing is the sheer power - these fish will peel line and test every knot you've tied. The reddish-pink meat is top-shelf eating, rich with omega oils. Spring and fall migrations bring the biggest fish close to shore. Since they stay deep most of the day, downriggers with weighted setups are essential. Pro tip: run your lures just off the bottom in 60-100 feet of water. They're ambush feeders, so keep that bait moving naturally.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or "silvers," are pure dynamite on the line. These acrobatic fighters average 8-12 pounds and can launch 6 feet out of the water when hooked. You'll find them cruising mid-depths in Lake Michigan's open waters, often following baitfish schools. Their silver sides and dark backs make them easy to spot when they jump. Spring through fall offers the best action, with early morning being prime time. Guests love cohos for their aerial shows and that bright orange meat that tastes fantastic grilled. They're strong swimmers that'll test your drag system. My go-to technique is running bright spoons at varying depths until we locate the schools. Once you find them, stick with that depth - cohos tend to stack up in temperature breaks where the water layers meet.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water heavyweights of our trips, cruising the cold depths where few other fish venture. These char family members can reach 15-40 pounds and live in the lake's deepest, coldest zones year-round. Their grey-green bodies with cream spots are perfectly adapted for life in the abyss. You'll find them suspended over deep basins, often 80-150 feet down where the water stays consistently cold. Spring right after ice-out and overcast days offer the best chances since they avoid bright light. Guests love the challenge of deep-water fishing and the steady, powerful fight these fish provide. The flaky white meat is mild and delicious. Jigging is king for lakers - drop a Rapala jigging rap or soft plastic swimbait down to where your electronics show fish. Work it with sharp lifts and long drops to mimic wounded baitfish.
Oncorhynchus GorbuschaPink salmon are the smallest Pacific salmon, averaging around 4-5 pounds with that distinctive hump on their backs. They love Lake Michigan's cold waters and you'll find them scattered throughout the lake during summer months. What makes pinks special is their short 2-year life cycle - they're aggressive feeders that'll hit bright pink jigs and spoons. The crustaceans they eat give their meat that signature pink color, making them great table fare. They're perfect for beginners since they're scrappy fighters without being overwhelming. Here's a trick that works well out here - use a pink hoochie with a touch of herring oil. The combination mimics their natural prey and they can't resist it, especially when we're working the mid-depth waters where they cruise looking for food.
5.0 out of 5.0Wow! exceptional charter fishing experience. Captain Greg and Cathy are a husband/wife Team. Captain Greg introduced his "first ma...
We had a absolute blast the Captain (Greg) and his first mate had us hooked up all day with some monster fish definitely recommend...
Lake Michigan