Lake Michigan Salmon Fishing Charter - 3 Guests
Shared Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
5hour guided salmon fishing charter on Lake MichiganShared trip accommodates up to 3 anglers maximumPremier freshwater salmon fishery with professional guidance
Lake Michigan serves up some of the best salmon fishing in the Midwest, and this 5-hour charter with MKE Fishing Charters puts you right in the action. You'll join two other anglers for a focused morning or afternoon on the water, targeting everything from aggressive Chinook salmon to scrappy Coho. This shared trip format keeps costs reasonable while giving you serious fishing time with an experienced captain who knows exactly where the fish are holding. The boat launches from Milwaukee's harbor, giving you quick access to the productive waters where salmon stack up during their feeding runs.
Your captain will have the boat rigged and ready when you arrive at the dock. Most trips start early morning when the fish are most active, though afternoon slots work well during peak season. The charter boat is equipped with downriggers, planer boards, and all the rods you'll need - just bring yourself and maybe a cooler for your catch. You'll head out to depths ranging from 40 to 120 feet, depending on where the fish are running and what the electronics are showing. The shared format means you'll be fishing alongside two other anglers, which actually adds to the fun when someone hooks into a big king salmon and everyone's cheering them on. Weather permitting, you'll spend the full 5 hours working different depths and areas until you find where the salmon are feeding.
This charter runs exclusively trolling setups, which is hands-down the most effective way to cover water and find active salmon on Lake Michigan. Your captain will deploy a spread of lines at various depths using downriggers - those heavy weights that get your lures down to where the salmon are cruising. Spoons, plugs, and flies behind flashers are the go-to presentations, with colors and speeds adjusted based on conditions and what the fish are hitting. You'll learn to watch the rod tips for the telltale bounce that means a salmon just grabbed your lure 60 feet down. The downrigger releases when a fish hits, and suddenly you're connected to a salmon with nothing but fishing line between you and the fish. Planer boards spread the lines out to the sides, covering even more water and keeping lines away from the boat's wake.
Chinook salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan, and for good reason. These bruisers commonly reach 15-25 pounds, with 30+ pounders caught every season. They're most active from late spring through early fall, staging in deeper water during summer heat and moving shallow during spring and fall transitions. When a king hits your downrigger, you'll know it - they make long, powerful runs and have the stamina to fight for 10-15 minutes. The fight is what keeps anglers coming back, plus they're excellent eating when properly handled.
Coho salmon might be smaller than kings, but they make up for it with acrobatics. These silver bullets typically run 5-12 pounds and are famous for their jumping ability once hooked. Coho are often found in the same areas as Chinook but tend to be more aggressive feeders, especially during their fall spawning run. They're fantastic table fare and their spirited fights make them a favorite among charter guests who want consistent action.
Rainbow trout, often called steelhead, provide some of the most exciting fights pound-for-pound. These fish average 8-15 pounds but fight like they're twice that size. They're present year-round but fishing peaks during spring and fall when they're feeding heavily. Steelhead are notorious for their aerial displays and long runs, testing both your drag system and your patience. Their chrome-bright sides and pink stripe make them one of the most beautiful fish you'll encounter.
Brown trout are the craftiest species you'll target on this charter. These fish can grow quite large - 10-20 pound browns are caught regularly - but they're also the most line-shy and selective. They often feed during low-light conditions and can be found in slightly different areas than salmon. Browns have a reputation for being tackle-busters, using their bulk and stubbornness to test your knots and drag settings. Landing a big brown trout is always a memorable achievement.
Lake trout round out your potential catches and are the true natives of Lake Michigan. These deep-water specialists can live for decades and reach impressive sizes, with fish over 20 pounds not uncommon. Lakers are typically found in the deepest water and coldest temperatures, making them a bonus catch during salmon trips. Their fight is different from salmon - more of a bulldogging, head-shaking battle than the long runs of salmon and steelhead.
This shared charter format offers exceptional value for anglers who want a taste of Lake Michigan's world-class salmon fishing without booking an entire boat. You'll get 5 solid hours on productive water with an experienced captain, quality gear, and the chance to learn techniques that'll make you a better angler. The 3-person limit keeps the boat from feeling crowded while splitting costs among fellow fishing enthusiasts. Peak season books up fast, especially weekends, so don't wait if you're looking at prime dates during the salmon runs. Whether you're new to Great Lakes fishing or a seasoned angler wanting to try a different area, this charter delivers the goods.
Hit the waters of Lake Michigan aboard our 28-foot Luhrs sportfishing boat, built for serious salmon action. This 2008 charter boat packs twin 640HP inboards that'll cruise you to the hot spots at 30 mph, getting you on the fish fast. The boat's loaded with everything you need for a productive day - fish finder to mark schools, GPS to hit proven coordinates, and radar for those foggy morning runs. Keep your catch fresh in the icebox while you target kings and coho in one of the Great Lakes' top salmon fisheries. The toilet and spacious layout mean you can focus on fishing without worrying about comfort during your 5-hour trip. With room for up to 6 anglers total, this shared charter gives you access to prime Lake Michigan salmon grounds without booking an entire boat.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout in Lake Michigan average 8-24 inches and 1-9 pounds, sporting golden-brown backs with black spots and sometimes a small orange adipose fin. These wary fish prefer cooler water around 54-65°F and often hold near structure or in deeper water during bright conditions. Fall through early spring offers prime fishing when they feed more aggressively, especially at night. Browns are prized for their wariness and strong fights - they're the smartest trout we target. The firm, mild flesh makes excellent eating too. We usually troll deeper water with spoons or stick baits, but they'll also take flies and small lures. Originally from Europe, these fish have adapted well to the Great Lakes system. Here's the key with browns: they're extremely cautious, so use lighter line when possible and avoid spooking them. Early morning, late evening, or overcast days give you the best shot at fooling these educated fish.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan, commonly running 12-39 inches and 7-15 pounds, with some bruisers pushing 30+ pounds. These silver-sided giants have black spots on their backs, tails, and fins, plus distinctive black mouths. They prefer deeper, colder water and tend to stay near bottom during daylight hours. Early morning and evening fishing produces best results from late spring through fall. What draws anglers is the raw power - chinooks make long, bulldogging runs and test your equipment to the limit. The reddish-pink meat is outstanding table fare. We typically downrig or use lead core to get deep, trolling spoons, plugs, or cut bait. Since these fish are light-sensitive, they hug the bottom most of the day. Local trick: use heavier tackle than you think - 20-30 pound test isn't overkill. When you hook a big king, let it run and tire itself out rather than trying to muscle it up.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, typically run 12-30 inches and weigh 8-12 pounds in Lake Michigan. These acrobatic fighters have dark blue-green backs with silver sides and can jump up to 6 feet when hooked. You'll find them in open water, usually suspended at mid-depths following baitfish schools. Late spring through fall offers the best action, with early morning and evening being prime times. Anglers love cohos because they put on a real show - jumping, diving, and making blistering runs. The bright orange meat is top-notch eating too. We typically troll spoons, plugs, or flies at different depths until we locate the schools. Here's a local tip: when cohos are being finicky, try switching to smaller, more natural-colored lures and slow your trolling speed down. These fish can be picky eaters but once you dial in the pattern, they'll reward you with some of the best fights on the Great Lakes.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the heavyweights of the char family, commonly hitting 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds in Lake Michigan's deep, cold waters. These grey-green fish with cream-colored spots love the deep basin areas, often suspended 60-120 feet down where it stays cold year-round. Spring right after ice-out and fall are prime seasons, though summer deep-water fishing can be productive. Anglers target lakers for their size and the challenge of deep-water fishing - plus they're excellent eating. We primarily jig with heavy spoons, Jigging Raps, or soft plastics in deep water, though trolling works when they're higher in the column. These fish need high oxygen levels and cold water to thrive. Pro tip: use your electronics to find the thermocline and fish just above it - that's where lakers cruise looking for baitfish. Be patient with the deep jigging and vary your retrieve until you find what triggers them.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout run 8-24 inches and average 2-8 pounds in Lake Michigan, with that distinctive pink stripe along their silver sides. These fish love clean, cold water between 55-64°F and you'll find them near structure or suspended in open water. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're actively feeding. What makes rainbows special is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make strong runs that'll test your drag. Plus, they're excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. In the big lake, we usually troll spoons or stick baits at varying depths. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them in - their mouths are soft and they'll shake the hook if you're too aggressive. These fish are indicators of clean water, so when we're catching rainbows, you know we're fishing quality habitat.
Lake Michigan