5.0(2 Reviews)Half Day Salmon and Trout Fishing Trip
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday trolling trip targeting salmon, trout, and steelheadExpert crew guidance with all equipment provided onboardPerfect introduction to Lake Michigan's premier fishing waters
Lake Michigan's got a reputation for producing some of the best salmon and trout fishing in the Great Lakes, and this half-day trip with Maykin Baykin Charters puts you right in the middle of the action. You're looking at four solid hours on the water targeting Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Steelhead, and Lake Trout—species that'll give you a real fight and make for great eating. The crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, so whether you've never held a fishing rod or you're bringing the whole family out for a day they won't forget, you're in good hands. We keep it simple but effective, focusing on getting you hooked up with fish while enjoying everything Lake Michigan has to offer.
Your half-day adventure starts early when the fish are most active and the lake's showing its best colors. We'll head out from port and cruise to the productive zones where salmon and trout have been hitting consistently. The boat's equipped with top-rated downriggers and planer boards, so we can cover water efficiently and put your baits exactly where the fish are feeding. You'll be fishing in anywhere from 80 to 200 feet of water, depending on what the fish are telling us that day. The atmosphere's relaxed but focused—no pressure, just good fishing with people who genuinely want to see you succeed. With space for up to six anglers, there's plenty of room to spread out and everyone gets their shot at landing something memorable. The crew handles all the technical stuff like reading the fish finder and adjusting depths, so you can concentrate on what matters most: having fun and catching fish.
We're running a trolling operation here, which means we're pulling lures and bait through the strike zone at controlled speeds to trigger aggressive strikes from salmon and trout. The boat's rigged with quality Cannon downriggers that let us precisely control our bait depth, and we'll be running everything from spoons and plugs to cut bait depending on what's producing. You'll see us using copper line, lead core, and dipsy divers to cover different parts of the water column—sounds technical, but the crew walks you through everything as we go. We typically run multiple lines per side of the boat, creating a spread that covers a lot of water and gives us the best shot at consistent action. The rods are medium-heavy action setups that can handle the power of a big Chinook but still let you feel every head shake from a feisty Coho. When a fish hits, you'll know it—the rod tip loads up and the drag starts singing. That's when the real fun begins, and trust me, these Lake Michigan salmon and trout don't give up easy.
"We had such a great time! The crew was fantastic—friendly, helpful, and clearly knew their stuff. It was a real pleasure spending the day with them." - Patricia "It was our first visit to the area, so we booked a half-day trip without knowing quite what to expect—and it ended up being amazing! Kevin and Steve were incredible—super knowledgeable, helpful, and a lot of fun to be around. They handled our group, which included young kids, teens, and adults, with ease and made sure everyone had a great time. The fish were biting, and we brought home some beautiful salmon. Can't recommend them enough!" - Meredith
Coho Salmon are hands down one of the most fun fish you'll tangle with on Lake Michigan. These silver rockets typically run 3 to 8 pounds and they're absolute acrobats when hooked—expect multiple jumps and blistering runs that'll test your drag system. Cohos feed aggressively in the upper water column, especially during early morning and late afternoon, making them perfect targets for our half-day window. They're suckers for bright spoons and plugs, particularly anything with some silver or chrome flash. What makes them a customer favorite is their willingness to bite and their spectacular fights in relatively shallow water. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, flaky meat that's perfect for grilling or smoking.
Chinook Salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Michigan, with fish commonly reaching 15 to 25 pounds and occasional monsters pushing 30-plus. These kings are what serious salmon anglers dream about—powerful, stubborn fighters that'll take you into your backing and test every knot you've tied. Chinooks tend to hold deeper than Cohos, often in 15 to 25 feet down in the thermocline where the water temperature drops. They're structure-oriented and follow baitfish schools, so finding them requires reading the electronics and understanding their seasonal patterns. When you hook into a mature king salmon, you're looking at a 10 to 15-minute battle minimum. They don't jump like Cohos, but they make long, determined runs that'll leave your arms aching in the best possible way.
Steelhead Trout bring a different kind of excitement to Lake Michigan fishing—they're the wildest fighters pound-for-pound you'll encounter. These chrome-bright beauties average 5 to 12 pounds but fish much bigger than their actual weight suggests. Steelhead are notorious for their unpredictable behavior once hooked, combining the jumping ability of Cohos with the endurance of Chinooks. They're often found in the same areas as salmon but can be more finicky about presentation and speed. What sets steelhead apart is their incredible stamina and their tendency to make multiple long runs throughout the fight. They're also highly prized for their exceptional table quality, with pink to orange meat that's rich and flavorful.
Lake Trout are the true natives of these waters and they offer a completely different fishing experience from the Pacific salmon species. These deep-dwelling predators can live for decades and reach impressive sizes, with fish in the
Step aboard this reliable 32-foot Blackfin Cruiser and get ready to chase salmon and trout across Lake Michigan's productive waters. Built in 1991, this well-maintained fishing machine runs on twin 330HP Crusader engines that'll get you to the hotspots quickly, hitting speeds up to 27 knots when conditions call for it. The boat's equipped with everything serious anglers need - a fish finder to locate schools, GPS to mark productive areas, and radar for those early morning departures when visibility gets sketchy. There's plenty of room for up to 6 people to fish comfortably without crowding each other at the rails. Between trolling runs, you'll appreciate the onboard kitchen for snacks, refrigerator to keep drinks cold, and a real toilet so nobody has to cut the fishing short. If someone needs a break from the action, there's even a bed below deck. The setup works perfectly for Lake Michigan's inshore waters where salmon, lake trout, and steelhead roam, giving everyone aboard plenty of chances to hook into quality fish while staying comfortable throughout the trip.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Michigan, and landing one is always memorable. These giants typically run 15-30 pounds but can push much bigger - they're built like torpedoes with silver sides and distinctive black gums. Chinooks are light-sensitive, so they spend most of their time in deeper, darker water during the day. Early morning and evening trips give you the best shot at connecting. What guests love most is the sheer power - a big king will strip line and test every knot you've tied. The rich, orange-pink meat is prized for good reason. Since these fish hug the bottom in deeper water, we use downriggers and heavy tackle to get presentations down to them. Local tip: when you hook a king, don't fight it too hard early on - let it tire itself out with those initial runs, then gradually work it up.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called silvers, are one of the most popular targets here on Lake Michigan. These scrappy fighters typically run 8-12 pounds and 12-30 inches, with their signature silver sides and dark blue-green backs making them easy to spot. What really sets them apart is their acrobatic nature - these fish can jump up to 6 feet when hooked, putting on a real show. We find them suspended in mid-water columns, especially during spring and fall when they're most active. The meat is bright orange-red and tastes fantastic. Pro tip: when trolling for cohos, watch for temperature breaks on the fish finder - they love hanging right where the warmer surface water meets the cooler depths. That's where you'll connect with the most aggressive feeders.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water natives that call the coldest parts of Lake Michigan home. These grey-green fish with cream-colored spots are the largest of the char family, commonly reaching 15-40 pounds and stretching 24-36 inches. During summer, they're suspended in the deepest, coldest water we can find, sometimes 100+ feet down. Spring right after ice-out and fall are when they move shallower and feed most aggressively. Lakers are prized for their steady, powerful fight - no flashy jumps, just pure muscle pulling toward the depths. The light-colored meat has a unique, rich flavor that's different from salmon. Since we're fishing so deep, jigging with heavy spoons or trolling with downriggers works best. My go-to trick: when you find one laker, mark the spot - they school up, and there's usually more in the same area.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that have lived in the big water, and they fight like it. These chrome-bright fish average around 24 inches but can stretch past 3 feet, with that classic streamlined body built for speed. In Lake Michigan, we target them in deeper water during summer months when they're avoiding the warm surface temps. Spring and fall are prime time when they move shallower and feed more actively. What makes steelhead special is their endurance - they'll make long, powerful runs that test your drag system. The silvery color comes from their time in open water, and the meat is excellent eating. Here's a guide secret: steelhead often follow baitfish schools, so if your electronics show clouds of alewives, drop your lines through them. That's where the steelhead will be hunting.
5.0 out of 5.0We had such a great time! The crew was fantastic—friendly, helpful, and clearly knew their stuff. It was a real pleasure spending ...
ChatGPT said: It was our first visit to the area, so we booked a half-day trip without knowing quite what to expect—and it ended u...
Lake Michigan