5.0(1 Reviews)Afternoon Lake Michigan Fishing Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
5hour afternoon fishing trip targeting salmon and trout speciesAccommodates up to 4 guests with experienced Captain JarrodAvailable March through October on weekdays starting 2PM
Not everyone's cut out for those crack-of-dawn fishing trips, and that's exactly why Captain Jarrod designed this 5-hour afternoon charter. Departing at 2:00 PM from Lake Michigan, this private fishing experience gives you and up to three buddies the perfect way to spend a relaxed afternoon chasing some of the Great Lakes' most prized catches. Running seasonally from March 12 through October 15 on weekdays, this trip targets the big four: Salmon and Trout species that make Lake Michigan a world-class fishery. Whether you're a seasoned angler or bringing the kids for their first real fishing adventure, Captain Jarrod knows how to put you on fish and make sure everyone goes home with stories worth telling.
Once you're aboard, Captain Jarrod gets straight to business. He's been working these waters long enough to know exactly where the fish are staging, and he's not the type to waste time in unproductive spots. The afternoon timing actually works in your favor – while morning charters are dealing with changing light conditions, you'll be fishing during some of the most consistent bite windows of the day. Lake Michigan's afternoon patterns can be phenomenal, especially when the thermocline sets up just right and baitfish start moving. You'll be targeting Coho, Chinook, Lake Trout, and Steelhead using proven techniques that Captain Jarrod has dialed in over years of guiding. Don't forget that sunscreen though – the afternoon sun reflects hard off Lake Michigan's surface, and you'll definitely feel it after a few hours. The boat and all tackle are top-notch, so all you need to bring is your fishing license and maybe some snacks if you get hungry between fish.
This isn't your typical dock fishing – you'll be trolling the open waters of Lake Michigan using downriggers, leadcore, and copper setups that get your lures down to where the big fish cruise. Captain Jarrod runs a full spread of rods, typically 6-8 lines in the water at once, covering different depths and speeds to figure out what the fish want that day. You might be pulling spoons 80 feet down on the riggers while running copper lines at 30 feet, or maybe the fish are up shallow chasing bait near the surface. The captain reads his electronics constantly – fish finder, temperature probe, GPS – adjusting the spread based on what he's seeing. When a rod goes off, it's game on. Lake Michigan fish don't mess around, and you'll feel every head shake and run on the quality tackle. The boat's setup makes fighting fish comfortable, with plenty of room to move around and a captain who knows exactly when to chase a big fish and when to let the drag do its work.
"First time getting a charter and this was a good one! Took my father and 9 year old son and we had a blast! My son caught the biggest fish of the day! Captain Jarrod was professional and kind. Made sure my son caught a big fish and had fun. In the Box is who you want to book! Got us on the fish immediately and caught a ton! Local guy who loves to fish and wants you to catch a huge one. The boat and equipment are top notch." - Rev
Rainbow Trout in Lake Michigan are absolute rockets when they hit your line. These silvery fighters typically range from 3-8 pounds and are known for their acrobatic jumps and screaming runs. Spring through early summer is prime time, when they're feeding heavily on alewives and smelt in the upper water column. What makes them special is their unpredictability – one minute they're cruising 15 feet down, the next they're suspended at 40 feet. Anglers love them because they fight way above their weight class and taste fantastic on the dinner table.
Coho Salmon are the crowd-pleasers of Lake Michigan, averaging 8-12 pounds with some pushing 15+. These chrome-bright fish are famous for their aerial displays – when a Coho hits, you better be ready for jumps that'll get everyone on the boat scrambling for their phones. Peak season runs from late June through September, when they're packed with muscle from feeding on the abundant baitfish. They're aggressive biters that'll smash spoons, plugs, and flies with authority. Most anglers consider Coho the perfect balance of size, fight, and table fare.
Steelhead Trout are the ultimate test of an angler's skill, running anywhere from 8-20 pounds of pure muscle and attitude. These lake-run rainbows are incredibly strong, making long, determined runs that'll test your drag system and patience. They're most active during cooler water periods – early season and fall – but can be caught year-round by anglers who know what they're doing. What makes Steelhead special is their endurance; they don't give up easily and will use every trick in the book to throw your hooks. Landing a big Steelhead is something you'll remember for years.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan, literally. These monsters can exceed 30 pounds and provide battles that last 20-30 minutes. Peak Chinook action typically runs from June through August, when mature fish are roaming the depths and feeding aggressively. They're ambush predators that hit hard and dive deep, using their massive shoulders to bulldoze toward the bottom. Fighting a big King is like being connected to a submarine – they're not flashy jumpers like Coho, but their raw power is something every serious angler needs to experience. When Captain Jarrod says he's marking big fish, you better believe these are what he's talking about.
Lake Trout are the deep-water specialists, often found in 60-120 feet of water where the temperature stays consistently cool. These
Step aboard In The Box, your ticket to Lake Michigan's best afternoon fishing action! This fully renovated 1989 31' Tiara Open runs on brand-new 454 Crusader engines and comes loaded with everything you need to land salmon and trout. The boat features a comfortable cabin with bathroom, full canopy for shade, upgraded seating, and a Bluetooth speaker for your tunes. Air conditioning keeps you cool while the refrigerator holds your drinks cold. Premium electronics include GPS, radar, and fish finder to locate those schools of Coho, Chinook, Lake Trout, and Steelhead. All top-tier rods, reels, tackle, and safety gear are provided. Captain Jarrod knows these waters inside and out, putting you on fish from 2 PM through 7 PM, Monday-Thursday from March through October. Perfect for up to 4 anglers who prefer afternoon fishing over early morning starts. Just bring sunscreen and get ready to battle some serious Great Lakes gamefish!
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweight champions of Lake Michigan - these bruisers average 15-20 pounds but can easily hit 30+ pounds. They're built thick and powerful with blue-green backs, silver sides, and black spots covering their head, back, and fins. You'll typically find them in deeper water, 40-100+ feet down, since they're sensitive to bright light and prefer cooler temperatures. They're bottom-oriented fish that follow the thermocline and baitfish schools. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily before their spawning runs. What guests love is the sheer power - once you hook a big king, you're in for a serious battle that can last 15-20 minutes. The reddish-pink meat is top-shelf eating. Here's my go-to tip: since kings stay deep and hug the bottom, use heavy tackle and get your baits down there with downriggers or lead core - that's where the big fish live.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or "silvers," are some of the most acrobatic fish you'll hook on Lake Michigan. They average 8-12 pounds and can jump up to 6 feet out of the water when fighting - pure excitement on the line. You'll find them in open water, usually suspended 20-60 feet down, following baitfish schools. They've got that classic salmon look with dark blue-green backs and bright silver sides, turning more reddish as they mature. Late spring through early fall is prime time, especially when the water temp hits that sweet spot around 50-60°F. What guests love most is the fight - cohos are absolute rockets that'll test your drag and give you an arm workout. The orange-pink meat is outstanding eating too. Pro tip: when trolling, bright colors like chartreuse and pink work great, and don't be afraid to vary your speed - these fish like a lure with some action.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of Lake Michigan, often called "lakers" by locals. These char family members average 15-25 pounds but can grow much larger - we've seen fish over 40 pounds. They're gray-green with lighter bellies and cream-colored spots, built for cold, deep water living. You'll find them suspended over deep basins, typically 60-150+ feet down in summer, following their preferred 45-50°F water temps. Spring right after ice-out and late fall are prime times when they move shallower. What makes them special is they're native to the Great Lakes and can live 20+ years - you might catch a fish older than you are. They're strong, steady fighters that use the deep water to their advantage. The meat is rich and oily, great smoked. Pro tip: lakers love structure, so look for them around humps, drop-offs, and underwater ridges where baitfish congregate.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout are beautiful fish with that signature pink stripe along their silver sides and scattered black spots. In Lake Michigan, they typically run 2-8 pounds and average 12-20 inches, though we see some pushing 24 inches. They prefer cooler water temps between 55-64°F, so they'll move deeper during summer heat and come up shallower in spring and fall. What makes them special is their scrappy fight - they'll jump and run when hooked, putting on a real show. The meat is excellent eating with that delicate, slightly nutty flavor. Spring through early summer and again in fall are prime times when they're actively feeding. Here's a tip: when the water's calm in the afternoon, look for them cruising just under the surface near temperature breaks where cooler and warmer water meet.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that live like salmon - they're the same species but steelhead are lake-runners that get big, strong, and chrome bright. These fish average 24 inches but can push 35+ inches and really pack on weight in the big water. They're built like torpedoes - streamlined, silvery, and absolutely built for speed. You'll find them anywhere from 15 feet down to 100+ feet, often following temperature breaks and baitfish. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're moving and feeding heavily before and after their spawning runs. What makes them special is the fight - pound for pound, they're some of the strongest fish in the lake. They'll make long, powerful runs that'll test your equipment. The meat is firm and flavorful, similar to salmon. Here's the key: steelhead are light-sensitive, so overcast days or low-light periods often produce the best action.
5.0 out of 5.0First time getting a charter and this was a good one! Took my father and 9 year old son and we had a blast! My son caught the bigg...
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