Full Day Salmon and Trout Fishing in Lake Michigan
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fullday Lake Michigan fishing targeting salmon and trout species.Expert crew guidance with trolling techniques across expansive waters.Sixperson capacity charter through Maykin Baykin Charters.
If you're serious about fishing and ready to spend a full day chasing some of the Great Lakes' most prized catches, this Lake Michigan charter with Maykin Baykin Charters is exactly what you're looking for. We're talking about a real fishing adventure here - not some casual afternoon on the water. You'll be targeting the big four: Coho Salmon, Steelhead Trout, Chinook Salmon, and Lake Trout in waters that have made Michigan famous among anglers across the country. Our experienced crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish while teaching you the ins and outs of Great Lakes fishing. With space for up to six anglers, this trip works perfectly for groups of friends, family outings, or even solo adventurers looking to learn from the best.
This isn't your typical half-day trip - we're talking about a full commitment to fishing here. You'll spend the entire day covering serious water, which means more opportunities to find active fish and dial in on what's working. The boat will be rigged and ready with downriggers, planer boards, and all the tackle you need to run a proper spread. Lake Michigan can be moody, but that's part of what makes it so rewarding when everything comes together. One minute you might be marking fish deep, the next you could be running shallow near structure where the baitfish are thick. The crew will handle the technical stuff - setting lines, adjusting depths, and reading the fish finder - while you focus on the fun part: fighting fish. Expect to cover different zones throughout the day, from deeper offshore waters where the big Lakers hang out to the mid-depth zones where Salmon love to cruise. The beauty of a full-day trip is that you have time to adapt and move with the fish, rather than being stuck in one spot hoping they'll turn on.
Lake Michigan fishing is all about trolling, and there's real science behind running an effective spread out here. The crew will have multiple downriggers working different depths, typically running anywhere from 20 feet down to 120 feet or more, depending on where the thermocline is sitting and what the fish finder is showing. You'll be pulling a mix of spoons, plugs, and flies behind flashers - each designed to mimic the alewives, smelt, and other baitfish that these predators are keyed in on. The planer boards extend your spread out to the sides, letting you cover more water and avoid spooking fish directly under the boat. Don't worry if this sounds complex - the crew handles all the technical setup while explaining what they're doing and why. When a rod goes off, they'll clear the other lines so you can fight your fish without tangles. The rods are matched to the fishing - sensitive enough to feel the subtle takes but with enough backbone to handle a big King or Laker when it decides to make a run for the bottom.
Coho Salmon are absolute rockets when they hit your line. These silver bullets typically run 3-8 pounds and are famous for their acrobatic fights - expect multiple jumps and screaming runs that'll test your drag system. Cohos are most active in the upper 60 feet of water and love to chase spoons and small plugs. They're often the most cooperative species, making them perfect for anglers who want consistent action. What makes them special is their willingness to bite and their spectacular aerial displays when hooked.
Steelhead Trout are the marathon runners of Lake Michigan, known for long, powerful runs and stubborn fights that can last 15 minutes or more. These chrome-bright fish average 5-12 pounds and have an attitude that keeps you guessing. They'll often hit deep, around 80-120 feet, and prefer subtle presentations like small spoons or flies behind flashers. Steelhead are moody - some days they're aggressive, other days you need to finesse them. That's what makes landing one so satisfying.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of the lake for good reason. These bruisers can push 20+ pounds and provide some of the most memorable fights you'll ever experience. Kings prefer deeper, cooler water and will often hit hard before making powerful runs toward the bottom. They're notorious for their head-shaking fights and ability to straighten hooks if your drag isn't set properly. Landing a big King is a team effort between angler and crew, and it's the kind of fish that creates lifelong memories.
Lake Trout are the natives here, and they can live for decades while growing to impressive sizes. Lakers are bottom-huggers that prefer the deepest, coldest water you can find. They're not the flashiest fighters, but they're incredibly strong and will use their weight and the depth to their advantage. A big Lake Trout of 15+ pounds is like trying to winch up a stubborn log - they just don't want to come up from the depths. They're most active in spring and fall when the water temperatures are more uniform throughout the water column.
This full-day Lake Michigan fishing trip with Maykin Baykin Charters gives you the best shot at experiencing world-class Great Lakes fishing. You're getting a full day with experienced crew, all the gear and tackle, and access to some of the most productive salmon and trout waters in the country. The combination of multiple target species, proven techniques, and local knowledge makes this a top-rated choice for serious anglers. Whether you're looking to land your first Great Lakes salmon or add to your collection of fishing stories, this trip delivers the goods. Lake Michigan doesn't give up its fish easily, but when you connect with one of these powerful predators in deep water, you'll understand why anglers travel from across the country to fish here. Don't wait - book your spot and get ready for a day of fishing that'll remin
This 32-foot Blackfin Cruiser is your ticket to serious salmon and trout action on Lake Michigan. Built tough in 1991 with twin 330HP Crusader engines, she'll get you to the prime fishing spots at a solid 27 knots. The boat handles up to 6 anglers comfortably, giving everyone room to work their lines without getting tangled up. You'll find everything you need for a productive day on the water - fish finder to locate schools, GPS and radar for navigation, plus a galley with fridge to keep your catch fresh and snacks cold. When you need a break from fighting fish, there's a head onboard and even a cabin with a bed for anyone who wants to rest up between runs. Perfect for covering serious ground while trolling for those trophy salmon, steelhead, and lake trout that call these deep waters home.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon—the kings of Lake Michigan—are what serious anglers dream about. These bruisers average 12-39 inches but can push 20-30 pounds or more, making them the largest salmon species we target. Kings are deep-water fish, typically hugging the bottom in 80-200 feet since they're sensitive to bright light. Early morning and evening offer the best bite when they move up to feed. What makes chinooks special isn't just their size—it's their bulldogging power and that incredible reddish-pink meat that's perfect for the grill. Unlike their acrobatic coho cousins, kings fight with pure strength, making long powerful runs that'll make your reel sing. Pro tip: when trolling for kings, use heavier tackle and keep your lures near the thermocline where baitfish concentrate. That's where the big ones hunt.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, are some of the most acrobatic fighters you'll hook in Lake Michigan. These sleek fish typically run 12-30 inches and weigh 8-12 pounds, with that classic silver body and dark spotted back. They're known for their spectacular jumps—they can leap 6 feet straight up when hooked. We find them throughout the water column, but they really shine during spring and fall when they're actively feeding. What makes cohos special is their combination of aggressive strikes, aerial shows, and excellent table fare with that bright orange meat. The key to landing more silvers is watching your downrigger—when one pops, immediately check the others since cohos often travel in schools and that commotion usually fires up the whole group.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the giants of the deep—these char can live decades and grow massive, with 15-40 pounders not uncommon in Lake Michigan's cold depths. You'll find them suspended in 100-300 feet of water during summer, though they move shallower in spring and fall. Lakers prefer the deep, cold water where oxygen levels stay high, making them perfectly adapted to our Great Lakes environment. What draws anglers to lake trout is their steady, powerful fight and their impressive size potential. They're also excellent eating with firm, flaky white meat. The fishing is best on overcast days or low-light conditions when they're more active. Here's the trick that consistently works: when jigging in deep water, use a long pause between lifts. Lakers often hit on the drop, so keep your line tight and feel for that subtle tick—they don't always slam the bait like salmon do.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that decided to get serious—they're the same species but steelhead live large, growing 24+ inches and hitting the scales at impressive weights. These silver rockets are pure muscle, built for long runs and heart-stopping fights that'll test your drag system. In Lake Michigan, we target them anywhere from 40-120 feet down, especially around structure and temperature breaks. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively hunting. What guests love most is their unpredictable fight—one minute they're peeling line on a surface run, the next they're bulldogging deep. Here's a tip that works: when a steelhead jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water. It gives them slack during the jump and prevents that sickening feeling of a thrown hook.
Lake Michigan