Lake Michigan Fishing Charter | Morning Charter Trip
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Morning Lake Michigan fishing charter with experienced captain guidanceSmall group experience accommodating maximum five guests comfortablyProfessional catch cleaning service included with trip booking
When you're looking for a top-rated fishing charter on Lake Michigan, Lured Inn Charters delivers exactly what South Haven anglers have been raving about. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're not just here to get you on fish – they're here to make sure you have the kind of morning that gets you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock. The Lured Inn is built for comfort and fishing success, with plenty of room for up to five anglers to work the water without getting in each other's way. Kids are welcome aboard, and the crew takes extra time to get them set up right. Best part? They'll clean your entire catch so you can head home with a cooler full of fresh fillets instead of a mess to deal with.
Your morning starts early – that's when the fish are most active and the lake is at its calmest. The captain will have you on productive water within minutes of leaving South Haven's harbor, and you'll be amazed how quickly the shoreline fades into that endless blue horizon Lake Michigan is famous for. The Lured Inn is equipped with top-shelf electronics, so the crew can read the water, find the thermoclines, and put you right where the fish are holding. You're not just casting blind out here – every move is calculated based on water temperature, bait movement, and years of experience fishing these exact spots. The boat's layout gives everyone space to fish comfortably, whether you're an experienced angler or this is your first time holding a rod. Expect plenty of coaching from the crew, especially if you're new to Great Lakes fishing techniques.
Lake Michigan fishing is all about trolling, and Lured Inn Charters has the setup dialed in perfectly. You'll be running downriggers, planer boards, and lead core lines to cover different depths and water columns where salmon and trout like to cruise. The captain will explain how each setup works as you go – downriggers let you get baits down 50, 80, even 100 feet where the big kings hang out during summer months. Planer boards spread your lines out wide, covering more water and keeping baits away from boat noise. Spoons, plugs, and cut bait all have their place depending on conditions and what species you're targeting. The crew handles all the technical stuff – setting depths, choosing lures, watching the fish finder – while you focus on the fun part. When a rod goes off, they'll coach you through the fight, help with the net, and make sure you get that perfect photo before the fish goes in the cooler.
Rainbow Trout are some of the most acrobatic fighters you'll find in Lake Michigan, and they're absolutely gorgeous fish with that signature pink stripe and silver sides. These fish typically run 3-8 pounds and are most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are cooler. They love structure and temperature breaks, often found in 40-80 feet of water chasing alewives and smelt. What makes rainbows special is their aerial show – they'll jump, twist, and run like crazy once hooked. They're also excellent eating with firm, pink meat that's perfect on the grill.
Coho Salmon are the ultimate crowd-pleasers, known for their spectacular jumps and aggressive strikes. These silver bullets typically range from 5-12 pounds and are most productive from late spring through early fall. Cohos love to feed near the surface early morning and evening, making them perfect targets for morning charters. They're incredibly strong fighters that will test your drag and make multiple runs before coming to the net. The meat is rich and flavorful, with that classic salmon taste that's perfect for smoking or grilling with just a touch of lemon and herbs.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan for a reason – these bruiser fish can exceed 30 pounds and provide battles that'll have your arms burning. Peak season runs from late spring through summer when they're feeding heavily in preparation for their spawning runs. Kings prefer deeper, cooler water and are often found along temperature breaks and drop-offs. They're bulldogs that use their size and strength rather than aerial acrobatics, making long, powerful runs that can last 15-20 minutes. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for smoking, and a single large king can feed a family for weeks.
Brown Trout are the craftiest fish in the lake, often called the "fish of a thousand casts" because they can be incredibly selective and spooky. These golden-sided beauties with distinctive black spots typically range from 4-15 pounds, with some true giants lurking in Lake Michigan's depths. They're most active during low-light conditions and cooler months, often holding near bottom structure and drop-offs. Browns are known for their explosive strikes and dogged fights, often making multiple runs toward cover. They're considered by many to be the best-eating trout, with firm, flaky meat that's excellent prepared any way you like it.
Lake Trout are the deep-water specialists, often found in 100+ feet of water where few other species venture. These prehistoric-looking fish with their forked tails and spotted bodies can live for decades and reach impressive sizes – 20-30 pound lakers aren't uncommon in Lake Michigan. They're most active during cooler months when they move into shallower water, but can be caught year-round by those willing to fish deep. Lakers are powerful fighters that use the deep water to their advantage, making long runs toward bottom. The light-colored meat is mild and flaky, perfect for fish fries or baking with herbs and butter.
Lured Inn Charters has built a reputation as South Haven's go-to fishing operation because they consistently put clients on fish while making sure everyone has a great time doing it. The morning charter gives you the best fishing conditions Lake
Your fishing adventure starts aboard this solid 33' Trojan motorboat, perfectly rigged for Lake Michigan's waters. The spacious deck gives everyone room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Below deck, you'll find a real kitchen for prepping snacks, a private toilet, and an icebox to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh. The captain relies on GPS and fish finder tech to put you right where the salmon and trout are biting. With room for up to 5 anglers, this boat handles Lake Michigan's waves like a champ while keeping you comfortable during those early morning runs to the fishing grounds. After you land your limit, the crew takes care of cleaning your fish so you head home with fillets ready for the grill.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smart ones - cautious, selective, and tough to fool. They run 8-24 inches with golden-brown backs covered in black spots and can live up to 20 years. These fish love structure like drop-offs, rocks, and weed lines in cool water. Fall brings aggressive feeding before spawning, making it prime time. What anglers love is the challenge - browns are educated and require finesse. The firm, mild-flavored meat is excellent table fare. They're active at night and during low-light periods, feeding on everything from insects to small fish. Spring and fall offer the best shots when they move shallow to hunt. Here's an insider tip: don't overlook small offerings. Browns often prefer subtle presentations over flashy lures. Match your bait size to what they're naturally feeding on for better hookups.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the giants of Lake Michigan, averaging 15-20 pounds but capable of hitting 30+ pounds. These silver-sided bruisers with black-spotted backs and mouths prefer deep, cold water and are light-sensitive, staying near bottom during bright days. Early morning and evening produce the best bites. What makes kings special is their raw power - they'll peel line and test your drag like nothing else. The rich, orange-pink meat is restaurant quality. Spring through fall offers good fishing, but late summer and early fall are prime when they're feeding heavily before spawning runs. They hunt alewives and other baitfish in deep water. Pro tip: use downriggers to get your lures down 40-80 feet where the big fish cruise. Kings don't mess around - when one hits, you'll know it immediately.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, typically run 12-30 inches and 8-12 pounds in our waters. These acrobatic fighters have dark blue-green backs with silver sides and can jump up to 6 feet when hooked. They prefer cooler depths during summer but move shallower in spring and fall. The orange-red meat makes them prized at the dinner table. What guests love most is their aggressive strikes and aerial shows - coho put on quite a display once hooked. They feed on alewives, smelt, and other baitfish in open water. Best fishing happens early morning or evening when they're actively feeding. Local tip: when trolling, run your lures just above the thermocline where baitfish concentrate. Coho often suspend in that zone, and you'll get more consistent action than fishing too deep or shallow.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants, averaging 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds. These grey-green fish with cream-colored spots prefer the coldest, deepest parts of Lake Michigan, often suspended 60-120 feet down. They're slow-growing and can live decades. Spring after ice-out and fall offer the best fishing when they move up from extreme depths. What guests love is their bulldogging fight - pure strength without the jumps. The firm, flaky meat has excellent flavor. Lakers avoid bright light and feed more actively during overcast conditions or low-light periods. They hunt cisco, alewives, and other deep-water baitfish. Local tip: vertical jigging with large spoons or swimbaits works best. Lakers often follow your lure up before striking, so vary your jigging cadence and be ready for hits on the drop.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout run 8-24 inches and average 2-8 pounds in Lake Michigan. You'll spot them by that signature pink stripe along their silver sides and black-spotted body. These fish love clean, cool water around 55-64°F, so they'll move deeper in summer heat but come up during cooler months. Spring and fall offer the best action when water temps are just right. What makes rainbows special is their fight - they'll jump and run hard when hooked. The meat is excellent eating with that classic trout flavor. They feed heavily at dawn and dusk on insects and small baitfish. Here's a local tip: when the water's calm, look for subtle rises near structure. These fish are spooky, so keep your approach quiet and use lighter tackle for better success.
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