6 HR Salmon & Trout Fishing with Long Gone 3 Charters
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Target King Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Trout in Lake Michigan watersSixhour charter accommodates up to four guests with professional guidanceFishing depths reach 50 feet using specialized tackle and techniques
Looking for a world-class fishing experience on Lake Michigan? Long Gone 3 Charters has perfected the art of salmon and trout fishing in Waukegan waters, offering both early morning and afternoon trips that consistently deliver trophy catches. Whether you're chasing the legendary morning bite at 5 AM or prefer the afternoon session starting at noon, you'll be targeting some of the most sought-after species in the Great Lakes. With trips running seasonally from April through November, you're guaranteed to hit prime fishing windows when these fish are most active and aggressive.
Your adventure begins at Waukegan Harbor, where Captain and crew will have everything prepped and ready to roll. The morning trip kicks off bright and early at 5 AM - trust me, those sunrise bites are absolutely worth the early alarm. You'll spend 5 solid hours working the productive waters around Waukegan, with pricing at $740 for up to 4 anglers. The afternoon option starts at noon and extends your fishing time to a full 6 hours for $840, giving you even more opportunities to fill the cooler. Both trips accommodate up to 4 guests, making it perfect for family outings or small groups of serious anglers. The boat is equipped to fish depths up to 50 feet, putting you right in the strike zone where salmon and trout cruise for baitfish. Spring through fall fishing here is phenomenal, with different species peaking at various times throughout the season.
Long Gone 3 Charters runs a proven trolling operation that's dialed in for Lake Michigan conditions. The crew will set up multiple downriggers and planer boards to cover maximum water and present lures at the exact depths where fish are holding. You'll be running a spread of spoons, plugs, and flasher-fly combinations that have been tested and refined over years of guiding on these waters. The boat's electronics help locate bait schools and temperature breaks where predator fish congregate. Downriggers allow precise depth control, critical when salmon are suspended 20-40 feet down in the water column. The captain reads the conditions daily - water temperature, wind direction, and bait movements all factor into where and how deep to fish. All tackle and bait are provided, though you're welcome to bring your own rods if you have favorites. The crew handles all the technical setup, so you can focus on fighting fish and enjoying the day.
Chinook Salmon are the undisputed kings of Lake Michigan, and Waukegan waters produce some absolute monsters. These powerful fish average 15-25 pounds but regularly push into the 30+ pound range during peak season. King salmon hit hardest in spring and fall when they're actively feeding on alewives and smelt. Their runs are legendary - expect screaming drag and multiple jumps when you hook into a big chinook. The fight can last 10-15 minutes, making every hookup a memorable battle that'll have your arms burning.
Coho Salmon bring a different kind of excitement with their acrobatic fighting style and consistent action. These silver bullets typically range 8-15 pounds and are known for their spectacular aerial displays once hooked. Cohos school up in good numbers, so when you find them, the action can be non-stop. They're particularly active during summer months and provide excellent table fare with their firm, flaky meat. Many anglers actually prefer coho fights over kings because of their jumping ability and speed.
Rainbow Trout offer steady action throughout the season and are perfect for anglers wanting consistent hookups. These colorful fighters typically run 3-8 pounds and are known for their beautiful pink stripes and spirited battles. Rainbows stay relatively shallow compared to salmon, often hitting lures in the top 20 feet of water. They're excellent eating and provide great action when salmon fishing is slower. Spring and fall see the best rainbow action in Waukegan waters.
Brown Trout are the craftiest fish in the lake, known for their wariness and hard-hitting strikes. These bronze-colored beauties can grow quite large, with fish over 10 pounds caught regularly. Browns are most active during low-light periods and cooler water temperatures. They're notorious for making long, powerful runs and testing your drag system. Many consider brown trout the best eating fish in Lake Michigan, with delicate, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Lake Trout round out the target species list and are true deep-water dwellers. These native fish prefer cooler temperatures and are typically found in the deeper portions of your fishing area. Lakers can live for decades and grow to impressive sizes, with fish over 20 pounds possible. They're known for their steady, bulldogging fights rather than flashy jumps. Lake trout are most active during spring and fall when water temperatures are optimal.
Long Gone 3 Charters has built a reputation as one of Waukegan's top-rated fishing operations, and their salmon and trout trips consistently deliver results. The seasonal window from April through November covers all the best fishing periods, from the spring staging through the fall feeding frenzy. Whether you choose the 5 AM departure to catch the morning bite or the noon trip for extended fishing time, you're in for a day of quality angling. The boat accommodates up to 4 guests comfortably, and the crew's local knowledge puts you on fish day after day. Don't wait - prime dates fill up quickly, especially during peak salmon runs. Book your 6-hour adventure today and experience why anglers keep coming back to fish with Long Gone 3 Charters season after season.
This beautifully restored 36-foot Trojan cruiser is your ticket to prime salmon and trout waters off Waukegan. Twin 385HP Crusader engines power you quickly to the best fishing spots, reaching depths up to 50 feet where the big kings and cohos are waiting. The spacious deck gives all 4 anglers plenty of room to work the lines and fight fish without getting tangled up. Recently updated in 2020, she's equipped with everything you need for a successful day chasing salmon and trout on Lake Michigan. Whether you're targeting the early morning bite at sunrise or settling in for the longer afternoon session, this proven fishing platform delivers you to productive waters in comfort and style.
Tylosurus AcusBrowns are the smart ones - wary, hard-fighting fish that can live over 12 years and grow big doing it. Most of ours run 15-24 inches, but we see some real tanks pushing 8+ pounds. They love structure and cooler water, often holding in 20-35 feet near drop-offs and rocky areas. Fall is prime time when they feed aggressively before spawn, though they bite year-round if you know where to look. What makes browns special is their wariness - they're tough to fool but worth it when you do. They fight smart, using their weight and the current, plus they're excellent table fare. We find them around dawn and dusk, often near the thermocline. My go-to tip: browns love crawfish patterns and darker lures. Work them slow and methodical - these fish think before they bite.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKings are the giants we're after - these bruisers can hit 15-30 pounds and provide the fight of a lifetime. They're bottom huggers, staying in our deepest water from 30-50+ feet where it's cold and dark. Early morning and evening are your best shots since they're light-sensitive. What draws people to kings is simple: they're the biggest, strongest fish in the lake with incredible stamina for long battles. That rich, reddish-pink meat is worth the effort too. We fish them year-round, but late spring through summer is peak season when they're feeding heavily before their fall spawn. These fish are smart and spooky, so we run downriggers with heavy tackle and proven lures like large spoons. Here's the key: patience and heavy drag - kings make powerful runs that can last several minutes.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCohos, or silvers as we call them, are pure adrenaline on the water. These acrobatic fighters average 8-12 pounds and love to jump - sometimes clearing 6 feet when hooked. We target them in 20-40 feet of water where they cruise looking for baitfish. Spring through early fall is prime time, especially during those dawn and dusk feeding windows. What makes cohos special is their aggressive strikes and the way they fight - lots of runs and jumps that'll test your drag. Plus, that bright orange meat is restaurant-quality. Here in Lake Michigan, they're following the bait schools, so we often troll with bright spoons and plugs. Pro tip: when a coho jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - keeps that hook from pulling out during their aerial acrobatics.
Salvelinus NamaycushLakers are the deep-water monsters, often running 15-25 pounds with some real giants over 40. These coldwater natives live in our deepest spots - 50+ feet in summer, sometimes over 100. Spring right after turnover is magic when they come shallow, but most of the year we're fishing deep with downriggers and heavy jigs. What gets people excited about lake trout is their size and the challenge of deep-water fishing. They're bulldogs that use their weight to fight, making long, powerful runs. The meat is rich and flaky - great smoked or grilled. Overcast days are best since they avoid bright light. We vertical jig with large spoons and swimbaits, watching the sonar for suspended fish. Key tip: be patient and work slowly - lakers will follow a lure for a long time before committing to bite.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbows typically run 12-20 inches and 2-5 pounds in our waters, with their signature pink stripe making them easy to spot. These scrappy fighters love clean, cold water and we usually find them in 15-40 feet during spring and fall when temps hit that sweet spot around 55-65°F. They're active feeders that'll hit everything from small spoons to flies, and they put up a solid fight with some nice aerial shows. What really gets people hooked is how good they taste - that pink meat is perfect on the grill. One trick I always share: when you're working deeper water, keep your presentation just off the bottom. These fish often suspend at thermoclines, so having a good fish finder helps locate schools before you start fishing.
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