5.0(1 Reviews)Full Day Lake Michigan Salmon & Trout Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full day charter targets salmon and trout in Lake MichiganCatch guarantee offered with flexible departure times availableAccommodates up to 4 guests with professional fishing guide
When you want to get serious about fishing Lake Michigan's legendary salmon and trout runs, this full-day charter with Hold'em Sportfishing is your ticket to success. Captain Greg and his experienced crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're not messing around when it comes to putting you on fish. With a catch guarantee backing this trip, you can fish with confidence knowing the crew is as invested in your success as you are. This extended charter gives you the time and flexibility to hit multiple zones, chase the bite wherever it takes you, and truly maximize your chances of filling that cooler with premium Lake Michigan fillets.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job. With a full day on Lake Michigan, you've got the luxury of fishing during prime bite windows and the flexibility to adapt when conditions change. The crew will start by targeting the most productive zones based on recent reports, water temps, and fish movement patterns. If the action slows down inshore, no problem – you'll head to deeper offshore structure where the big kings often prowl. Mid-day departures are available if that works better for your schedule, which is perfect when morning weather looks sketchy or you want to target evening feeding periods. The boat accommodates up to four anglers comfortably, so you'll have plenty of elbow room to work your lines without feeling cramped. Just remember to grab your Michigan fishing license beforehand, pack some non-spray sunscreen, and bring a cooler for those fillets you'll be taking home.
Lake Michigan fishing is all about covering water and presenting lures at the right depths where fish are actively feeding. The crew runs a spread of downriggers, planer boards, and leadcore setups to target different zones of the water column simultaneously. You'll be pulling everything from spoons and plugs to flasher-fly combinations, depending on what the fish are showing preference for that day. The boat's electronics help locate baitfish concentrations and thermoclines where salmon and trout typically stage. When debris becomes an issue – like after heavy rains that push material into the lake – the crew's experience really shines as they know how to navigate around problem areas and keep lines in the water. The key is staying mobile and being willing to run to where the fish are biting, whether that's tight to shoreline structure or way out in the deep blue water.
"Our experience with Kings Full, captain Greg and his 1st Mate were outstanding, we did and 8 hour fishing trip which them which I would highly recommend , as fish move around the lake to feed in different locations due to weather and different water temperature's and time of the year , 8 hours gives them time to locate them better if they moved from the previous trip, There was a lot of debris in the water from a 11" rain they got a couple days , which made the trip more challenging for captain Greg and his 1st Mate, our experience was still a 10 out 10 they worked extra hard all day to keep us on fish, We will definitely be back, Thank you from Me my 2 cousins and our boys !" - Enos
"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!" - Martin
Chinook Salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan for good reason. These powerhouse fish can top 30 pounds and will test every ounce of your tackle and technique. They're most active during spring and fall runs when water temperatures hit that sweet spot between 50-60 degrees. When a king hits your downrigger, you'll know it immediately – they make blistering runs and aerial displays that get your heart pumping. The fight can last 20 minutes or more on heavy fish, and the reward is some of the finest eating salmon you'll find anywhere.
Coho Salmon bring the acrobatics that make every angler smile. These silver bullets average 8-12 pounds but fight way above their weight class with spectacular jumps and surface runs. Peak coho action typically runs from July through September when they're fattening up in preparation for their spawning runs. They're suckers for bright spoons and plugs worked in the top 40 feet of water, especially around dawn and dusk feeding periods.
Steelhead Rainbow Trout are the lake's ultimate athletes. These chrome-bright fighters can reach 15 pounds and are famous for their unpredictable fighting style – one minute they're screaming toward the surface, the next they're bulldogging toward bottom structure. Spring and fall offer the best steelhead opportunities, particularly when water temps are transitioning and these fish are actively cruising for food.
Brown Trout are the lake's smartest residents and often the most challenging to consistently catch. These bronze-shouldered beauties prefer deeper, cooler water during summer months and can exceed 20 pounds when conditions are right. They're notorious for their subtle takes and powerful fights close to the boat. Late fall provides some of the year's best brown trout action as they move shallow for spawning activities.
Pink Salmon show up in odd-numbered years and provide fast action when they're around. These smaller salmon average 3-5 pounds but make up for size with sheer numbers during peak runs. They're perfect for getting kids excited about fishing and provide excellent table fare when properly prepared. Pinks typically favor small spoons and flies worked in shallow water near river mouths.
This full-day charter represents the best value for serious anglers who want to maximize their time on Lake Michigan's productive waters. With the catch guarantee backing your trip and a crew that
Get ready to chase salmon and trout aboard our 32' Sportfish Convertible! This fishing machine is built to handle Lake Michigan's waters with room for your crew of 4. She's loaded with serious trolling gear, downriggers, and live sonar to put you on the fish. When you need a break from working the rods, duck into the enclosed salon to grab a cold drink from the fridge or use the onboard head. Our captain uses GPS and radar to navigate to the hottest fishing spots, while the fish finder helps locate schools holding at different depths. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and there's plenty of space for your snacks and beverages. Whether we're running shallow near shore or heading to deeper offshore structure, this boat handles it all. Perfect for anglers who want to spend a full day targeting Lake Michigan's best gamefish with top-notch equipment and comfort.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smart guys of Lake Michigan - they're cautious but worth the effort. These golden-brown beauties with black spots typically run 8-24 inches and can live over a decade, making the big ones real trophies. They prefer cooler, deeper water during summer but move shallow in spring and fall. Night fishing can be deadly, especially near structure like piers or drop-offs. They're excellent table fare with firm, mild flesh. Fall is prime time when they feed aggressively before winter. These fish are spookier than rainbows, so stealth matters. My best advice is to fish them like they're educated - use lighter lines, natural colors, and slower presentations. When trolling, try running your baits farther back from the boat. Browns will often follow for a long time before committing to bite.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Michigan, averaging 15-20 pounds but capable of much more. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted backs and tails are what serious anglers dream about. They prefer staying deep in cooler water, so we're often fishing 60+ feet down with downriggers and heavy tackle. Early morning and evening produce the best action, especially during their spring and fall runs. The fight is legendary - long, powerful runs that'll test your drag and patience. That reddish-pink meat is restaurant quality. Since kings are light-sensitive and stay deep, we focus on getting our baits down to them with proper weight. One key tip: use a slow, steady trolling speed around 2.5 mph. These big fish don't chase fast-moving baits like the smaller salmon do.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon are pure silver rockets that'll give you some of the best fights on Lake Michigan. These "silvers" typically run 8-12 pounds with their dark blue-green backs and bright sides. They're acrobatic jumpers that can leap 6 feet out of the water - always keeps things interesting. We find them at varying depths depending on the thermocline, often staging near structure or following bait schools. Late spring through early fall is prime time, with dawn and dusk being the hottest bite windows. Guests love them for both the fight and the table - that bright orange meat is hard to beat. My go-to trick is running bright spoons or plugs with some erratic action. When they're finicky, try dropping your speed and adding some rod tip action to make your lure dart and flutter like an injured baitfish.
Oncorhynchus GorbuschaPink salmon are the smallest of the Pacific salmon, but don't let that fool you - they're feisty little fighters. In Lake Michigan, they typically run 4-6 pounds and show up in good numbers during their odd-year cycles. You'll find them in cooler water, often following baitfish schools at various depths. They're great for beginners since they're aggressive feeders and not too particular about presentations. The meat has a mild flavor that's perfect on the grill. Late summer into early fall is when they really turn on here. Pink and bright-colored lures work best - I tell my guests to think "cotton candy" when picking jigs or spoons. Here's a local trick: add a small piece of spawn or even a bit of herring oil to your lure. These fish key in on scent more than people realize.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout in Lake Michigan typically run 8-24 inches and average 2-8 pounds, though we've seen some real beauties pushing bigger numbers. These fish love the cooler water temps between 55-64°F, so we find them in deeper zones during summer months and closer to shore in spring and fall. They're scrappy fighters that'll jump and make runs, which keeps things fun for anglers of all skill levels. The pink flesh makes for excellent eating too. Spring through early summer and again in fall are prime times when they're actively feeding. One tip I always share - when trolling spoons or plugs, vary your speed every few minutes. These fish can be picky, and that speed change often triggers strikes when they're just following your lure.
5.0 out of 5.0Our experience with Kings Full, captain Greg and his 1st Mate were outstanding, we did and 8 hour fishing trip which them which I...
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 ...
Lake Michigan