Full Day Lake Michigan Salmon & Trout Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fullday charter targets Chinook Salmon and Lake Trout32foot Pursuit yacht accommodates six anglers comfortablyAll fishing gear and tackle included with expert guidance
When you're serious about putting fish in the boat, this 10-hour charter aboard Hot Pursuit's 32-foot Pursuit yacht gives you the time and space to do it right. Lake Michigan's deep, cold waters hold some of the Great Lakes' best salmon and trout fishing, and with a full day on the water, you'll hit multiple productive zones without feeling rushed. The boat handles six anglers comfortably, so bring your crew or join other passionate fishermen for a day that starts before sunrise and ends with coolers full of fillets.
Your day begins early – typically before dawn – when the crew fires up the diesels and heads out to where the fish are biting. The 32-foot Pursuit gives you a stable platform that cuts through Lake Michigan's swells without beating you up, plus plenty of deck space to fight fish without bumping into each other. The crew knows these waters like their backyard, reading water temps, baitfish schools, and structure to put you on active fish. You'll cover serious ground during those 10 hours, from shallow nearshore areas where cohos cruise to the deep water haunts of big king salmon. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait come included, though seasoned anglers are welcome to bring their favorite setups. The crew handles everything from rigging lines to netting fish, but they're also happy to teach you the techniques if you want to level up your game.
Lake Michigan salmon and trout fishing is all about trolling – pulling lures and bait behind the boat at specific speeds and depths. The crew runs a spread of downriggers, planer boards, and lead core lines to cover the entire water column from surface to bottom. Spoons, flasher-fly combos, and plugs make up the arsenal, with colors and presentations changing based on conditions and what the fish want that day. Downriggers let you get baits down 60, 80, even 100+ feet where the big kings hang out during summer heat. Planer boards spread lines out wide from the boat, covering more water and hitting fish that might spook from the boat's presence. The crew watches the fish finder constantly, marking bait schools and adjusting depths to stay in the strike zone. When rods start firing, everyone knows their role – clear other lines, grab the net, and let the angler fight their fish without interference.
Chinook salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan, and for good reason. These bruisers average 15-25 pounds but can push 30+ pounds when you connect with a true trophy. They hit hard, make screaming runs, and test every knot in your setup. Spring and fall offer the best chinook action, when they're feeding heavily in preparation for spawning runs. The fight is pure power – long runs, head shakes, and enough strength to snap light tackle if you're not careful. Landing a big king is what keeps anglers coming back season after season.
Coho salmon bring a different kind of excitement to the boat. Smaller than their chinook cousins at 5-12 pounds, cohos make up for size with acrobatics. They'll jump, tail-walk across the surface, and change directions faster than you can react. Cohos cruise shallower water than kings, often just 20-40 feet down, and they're aggressive feeders that'll smash a well-presented spoon. Summer months are prime time for cohos, when they're silver-bright and feeding on alewives near the surface.
Lake trout are the deep-water specialists that many anglers overlook, but they shouldn't. These native char can live 40+ years and reach impressive sizes – 20-pound lakers aren't uncommon in Lake Michigan's depths. They hug the bottom in 80-150 feet of water, requiring heavy tackle and patient fishing. Lake trout fight with steady, powerful pulls rather than flashy runs, but their size and the challenge of fishing deep water makes them a favorite among serious anglers. Spring and fall are peak times when lakers move shallower and become more active.
Rainbow trout round out the mix with their stunning colors and spirited fights. Also called steelhead when they reach larger sizes, rainbows in Lake Michigan typically run 3-8 pounds but can exceed 10 pounds for true trophy fish. They're beautiful fish with silver sides and that distinctive pink stripe, and they fight with surprising strength for their size. Rainbows often feed near the surface early morning and late evening, making them perfect targets during the extended hours of a full-day charter.
A 10-hour charter gives you the best shot at connecting with Lake Michigan's top game fish without the pressure of a short trip. You'll fish prime morning and evening hours when salmon and trout are most active, plus cover enough water to adapt when conditions change. The crew's experience shows in their boat handling, fish-finding skills, and ability to put you on biting fish consistently. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to boat a personal best or newer to the sport wanting to learn proven techniques, this charter delivers the goods. Lake Michigan fishing doesn't get much better than this – book your dates now and get ready for a day you'll be talking about all winter.
Your fishing platform for this 10-hour Lake Michigan adventure is a well-equipped 32' Pursuit motor yacht that handles the big water like a champ. Built in 2000 with twin 350HP Mercury engines, this boat cuts through choppy conditions at up to 36 knots to get you to the prime salmon and trout grounds fast. The spacious layout comfortably accommodates six anglers with plenty of room to fight those hard-pulling Chinook and Coho salmon without getting tangled up. Essential fishing electronics include GPS navigation, radar for those foggy mornings, and a fish finder to locate schools and structure where the big lake trout hang out. Climate-controlled cabin with AC keeps you comfortable during long stretches between bites, while the onboard refrigerator and icebox ensure your catch stays fresh and drinks stay cold. The head provides convenience during those extended deep-water sessions. This stable fishing machine gives you the range and comfort needed to target trophy fish in Lake Michigan's productive waters all day long.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan - massive, powerful fish that can top 30 pounds. Most run 10-20 pounds, providing the kind of fight that bends rods and tests equipment. These silver and blue-green giants prefer deeper, colder water, typically 40-120 feet down near structure and thermoclines. They're light-sensitive, so early morning and evening produce the best action. What draws anglers to Chinook is simple: they're the ultimate trophy fish with incredible strength and stamina. Their rich, red meat is also restaurant-quality. These fish can live up to 7 years, growing massive in our cold, nutrient-rich waters. My advice: use heavy tackle and be patient - when a big king hits, it's going to be a long, hard battle that's worth every minute.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silver salmon, are some of the most acrobatic fish in Lake Michigan. These chrome-bright fighters average 5-8 pounds but can reach 15+ pounds. They're known for their spectacular jumps - sometimes clearing 6 feet out of the water. Coho prefer the upper water column, usually found 10-50 feet down, and they love chasing baitfish along temperature breaks. Best fishing happens from late spring through early fall when water temps are in the 50s. What makes coho special is their aggressive strikes and non-stop fighting spirit. Their orange-red meat is also top-notch table fare. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - let them tire themselves out with those crazy jumps.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout are beautiful fish with their signature pink stripe and spotted silver bodies. In Lake Michigan, they average 2-5 pounds but we regularly see fish in the 8-12 pound range. These trout prefer cooler water temperatures around 50-60°F, so they're often found 20-80 feet down depending on the season. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're more active and closer to the surface. What guests love about rainbows is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make strong runs that test your drag. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, pink meat. The key to success is matching your lure speed to the water temperature - slower presentations work better in colder water, faster when it warms up.
Sander VitreusWalleye are golden-colored fish with distinctive glassy eyes that help them hunt in low light. They typically run 2-8 pounds in Lake Michigan, though we see some pushing 10+ pounds. These fish love structure - rock piles, drop-offs, and weed edges in 15-40 feet of water. They're most active during dawn and dusk when they move shallow to feed. What makes walleye special is their incredible table quality - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They can be tricky to locate since they move around based on baitfish, but once you find a school, the action can be steady. Pro tip: keep your bait just off the bottom and fish it slow - walleye have a soft bite, so stay alert for subtle taps on your line.
Lake Michigan