Charter Fishing Lake Michigan | Private 6 Hour Trip
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Private 6-hour Lake Michigan fishing charter for two guestsProfessional crew targets lake trout and salmon species2023 Raider boat features 300 Suzuki engine and advanced equipment
When you're looking for a serious day of fishing on Lake Michigan, Lentner Rip Charters in Manistee delivers exactly what seasoned anglers want – no crowds, no rush, and a captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand. This isn't your typical party boat experience. We're talking about a private 6-hour charter built for two anglers who want to fish hard and fish smart. The boat is a 2023 Raider 240 Pro Fisherman, designed with Pacific Northwest influence and powered by a reliable 300 Suzuki that'll get you to the fish fast and keep you there all day. Whether you've been chasing salmon and trout for years or you're ready to step up from shore fishing, this charter gives you access to some of the most productive waters in the Great Lakes.
Your day starts early at the Manistee harbor, where you'll meet your captain and get a quick rundown of the plan. The beauty of a private charter is flexibility – if the fish are hitting better in one direction, that's where you're headed. The Raider 240 is set up specifically for Lake Michigan fishing, with downriggers, planer boards, and all the electronics you need to find fish in deep water. You'll be running anywhere from 60 to 200 feet of water depending on the season and what's biting. The captain handles all the technical stuff – setting lines, adjusting depths, and reading the fish finder – while you focus on fighting fish. Manistee sits right in the heart of some of Lake Michigan's best fishing grounds, with structure and temperature breaks that hold fish consistently through the season. The boat's design handles the big lake swells well, so even when it's a bit choppy, you'll stay comfortable and keep your lines in the water.
Lake Michigan fishing is all about trolling, and this boat is rigged to run a serious spread. You'll typically have 6-8 lines out using a combination of downriggers and planer boards to cover different depths and zones. The captain provides all tackle, including premium spoons, plugs, and flasher-fly combinations that have proven themselves on these waters. Popular setups include Michigan Stinger spoons, Spin-N-Glos behind dodgers, and cut-plug herring when the kings are aggressive. The downriggers let you get baits down to where the thermocline holds fish, usually between 40-120 feet depending on the time of year. Planer boards spread your lines wide, covering more water and keeping baits away from boat noise. When a rod goes off, it's game on – the captain will clear other lines while you fight your fish. The boat's layout gives you plenty of room to work a big salmon or steelhead without getting tangled up. All rods are quality setups spooled with fresh line, and there's a good net onboard for landing fish cleanly.
Rainbow Trout in Lake Michigan are absolute rockets. These fish average 3-8 pounds and fight way above their weight class, making sizzling runs and jumping like they're on fire. They're most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are cooler, often found in 40-80 feet of water chasing baitfish. Rainbows hit small spoons and flies hard, and their bright silver sides make them beautiful fish to catch. What makes them special here is their condition – Lake Michigan rainbows are fat, healthy, and incredibly strong from feeding on alewives and smelt.
Coho Salmon are the acrobats of the Great Lakes, known for their spectacular jumps and never-give-up attitude. Running 3-12 pounds, these silver bullets are most abundant from late spring through early fall. They school up in huge numbers and when you find them, you can have multiple hookups at once. Cohos love flashy presentations and will hammer spoons worked behind downriggers in 50-120 feet of water. Their aerial displays when hooked make them a favorite among photographers and anyone who loves watching a fish put on a show.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan, and for good reason. These bruisers can push 30+ pounds and will test every piece of tackle on the boat. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with the biggest fish often caught in deeper water during summer months. Kings are notorious for their powerful, bulldogging runs and their ability to strip line off your reel in seconds. They prefer larger baits like cut herring or big spoons, and landing a trophy king is something you'll remember forever. The fight can last 20-30 minutes on a big fish, and the sense of accomplishment when you finally get one to the boat is unmatched.
Brown Trout are the opportunistic predators that can show up anywhere, anytime. These bronze-colored fighters range from 2-15 pounds and are known for their wariness and explosive strikes. Browns are active year-round but really shine in spring and fall when they move shallow to feed aggressively. They'll eat everything from small spoons to large plugs, and their golden-brown coloration with distinctive spots makes them one of the most beautiful fish in the lake. What sets browns apart is their unpredictability – they might hit a bait trolled at 30 feet or slam something running deep, keeping every trip interesting.
Lake Trout are the deep-water specialists, living in the coldest, deepest parts of Lake Michigan year-round. These native fish can live for decades and grow to impressive sizes, with fish over 20 pounds caught regularly. Lakers are typically found in 80-200+ feet of water and require heavy tackle and deep presentations to reach them consistently. They're steady, powerful fighters that use their weight and the depth to their advantage. While they don't jump like salmon, a big lake trout will give you a memorable battle and represents one of the
The 2023 Raider 240 Pro Fisherman is built for serious Lake Michigan fishing adventures. This 24-foot charter boat combines Pacific Northwest design with modern fishing technology to help you land those prized lake trout and salmon. Powered by a reliable 300hp Suzuki engine, she cuts through Lake Michigan's waters with confidence while keeping you comfortable during your 6-hour charter. The GPS navigation and fish finder take the guesswork out of locating productive fishing spots, while the onboard toilet means you can stay focused on your lines instead of heading back to shore. With wheelchair accessibility and room for 2 guests, this vessel ensures everyone can enjoy the excitement of deep water fishing off Manistee's coast. The Pro Fisherman's layout gives you plenty of space to fight big fish and store your catch.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smartest fish we target, averaging 8-24 inches but capable of surprising you with a real trophy. These golden-brown beauties with dark spots prefer deeper, cooler water during summer, often hugging bottom structure around 40-80 feet. Fall nights are prime time when they feed aggressively before winter. What makes browns special is their wariness - they'll test every skill you have. The firm, mild meat is excellent eating. They live longer than other trout, sometimes over 10 years, so they get educated fast. My go-to trick: browns love crayfish patterns, especially in brown and orange. Work them slow near rocky bottom where they hunt for real craws.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights here, averaging 15-25 pounds with some pushing 30-plus in our waters. These bruisers stay deep, usually 60-120 feet down in summer, since they're sensitive to light and prefer cooler temps. Early morning and evening produce the best bites when they move up to feed. What makes kings special is their bulldogging fight - no fancy jumps, just pure power that'll test your drag. The rich, firm meat is restaurant-quality. Spring and fall offer the hottest action when they're closer to shore. Here's the key: kings are structure-oriented, so we target them near drop-offs and temperature breaks where baitfish concentrate.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon, as locals call them, run 12-30 inches and typically weigh 8-12 pounds in our waters. These acrobatic fighters are famous for their aerial shows - they can jump up to 6 feet when hooked. Cohos cruise the upper water column during summer, often 20-60 feet down, following baitfish schools. Peak action happens late summer through fall when they stage near river mouths. The bright orange meat is top-shelf eating, and their aggressive strikes make them a favorite for all skill levels. They're less spooky than kings, so you get more consistent action. Pro tip: bright spoons in chartreuse or pink work magic on overcast days when they're feeding actively.
Salvelinus NamaycushLakers are our deep-water giants, commonly running 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds in Lake Michigan's cold depths. These char prefer water over 100 feet deep during summer, suspended in the thermocline where temps stay around 45-55°F. Spring right after ice-out and fall offer the best shallow-water opportunities. What guests love is the steady, powerful fight - no jumps, just relentless runs that'll wear you out. The light, flaky meat is excellent smoked or grilled. They're long-lived fish, sometimes over 20 years old. Key tip: jig vertically with large spoons or paddle-tail swimbaits. Work them in a lift-drop motion to mimic wounded baitfish - that erratic action triggers strikes.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout average 8-24 inches and 2-8 pounds, with that distinctive pink stripe running along their silvery sides. These fish love clean, cold water around 55-65°F, which makes Lake Michigan perfect habitat. You'll find them suspended in mid-depths during summer, moving shallower in spring and fall. They're scrappy fighters that'll jump and run when hooked, plus they taste fantastic on the table. What guests really love is how they can be caught by beginners but still challenge experienced anglers. Local tip: when the water's calm in early morning or evening, look for subtle rises near structure - that's when they're feeding on insects at the surface.
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