8 HR Weekend Fishing Trip - Up to 6 Anglers
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fullday 8hour fishing adventure for up to 6 anglersTarget trout and salmon during weekend lake excursionsAvailable Friday through Sunday with Merganzer Fishing Charters
When you're serious about landing some real fish and want a full day to do it right, this 8-hour weekend charter with Merganzer Fishing Charters is exactly what you need. Running Friday through Sunday, this top-rated fishing experience gives you and up to 5 buddies the whole day to chase salmon and trout without feeling rushed. We're talking about a proper fishing trip here - the kind where you actually have time to work different spots, try various techniques, and really dial in what the fish are hitting. Perfect for groups who want to make a weekend of it, whether you're celebrating something special or just need to get away from the daily grind and do some serious angling.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job where you barely get your lines wet before heading back to the dock. Eight hours gives us the flexibility to really fish smart and cover water effectively. We'll start early to take advantage of those prime morning bite windows when the salmon are most active, then adapt our strategy as conditions change throughout the day. The beauty of a full-day trip is that we can move around if one spot isn't producing - hit the deeper water for lake trout in the midday heat, then work back to the shallows when the evening bite kicks in. With room for six anglers, everyone gets plenty of space to fish comfortably without bumping elbows. The weekend schedule means you can make this the centerpiece of a proper fishing getaway, not something you're squeezing in between work meetings. Come ready to fish hard and stay focused - this trip rewards anglers who are willing to put in the time and effort.
We run a serious trolling operation designed to put you on fish consistently throughout the day. Multiple downriggers let us work different depths simultaneously, which is crucial when you're targeting both salmon and trout in the same waters. We'll typically start with proven spoons and flasher-fly combinations, but the long format gives us time to experiment with different presentations if the fish are being picky. Dodgers, cut bait, and various lures all have their place depending on what we're seeing on the fish finder and how the fish are responding. The key to success on these 8-hour trips is staying mobile and adapting your approach - something you just can't do on shorter charters. We'll adjust our trolling speed, change depths, and switch up lure colors based on real-time feedback from the fish. Having eight full hours means we can afford to spend time fine-tuning our setup instead of just hoping for the best with whatever we started with.
The Chinook salmon we're targeting here are the real deal - these kings can push 20 to 30 pounds when you connect with a mature fish, and they'll give you a fight that'll leave your arms burning. Chinooks are most active during the cooler parts of the day, which is why starting early on these long trips pays off big time. They're aggressive feeders when they're on the bite, but they can also be incredibly selective, which makes the chess match between angler and fish so addictive. What makes Chinook fishing so rewarding isn't just their size - it's their intelligence and the way they use their strength and the current to try to throw your hooks.
Lake trout fishing offers a completely different challenge but equally satisfying results. These fish love the deep, cold water and can be found year-round in the right spots. Lakers are known for their steady, determined fights rather than the explosive runs of salmon, but don't let that fool you into thinking they're easy. A good lake trout will take you deep and test your drag system thoroughly. They're excellent eating and often run in the 10 to 15-pound range, with bigger fish always a possibility. The best part about targeting lakers on a long trip like this is that they're often willing to bite when the salmon action slows down, keeping your day productive from start to finish.
Coho salmon round out our target species and bring their own unique appeal to the mix. These silver rockets are absolute acrobats when hooked, known for their spectacular jumps and blistering runs. Cohos typically run smaller than Chinooks - usually in the 8 to 12-pound range - but they more than make up for it with attitude and aerial displays that'll get everyone on the boat excited. They're often the most cooperative when it comes to biting, especially during their peak seasons, making them perfect for groups that want consistent action alongside the chance at bigger fish. Coho are also phenomenal table fare, with firm, flavorful meat that's perfect for the grill.
Look, if you're tired of rushed fishing trips that end right when things are getting good, this 8-hour weekend charter is your answer. With Friday through Sunday availability, you can finally plan a proper fishing adventure that works with your schedule. Merganzer Fishing Charters has built their reputation on putting clients on fish, and this full-day format lets them do what they do best - adapt, move, and keep you in the action all day long. Whether you're after bragging rights, a freezer full of fish, or just want to spend a day doing what you love with good people, this trip delivers. Six-person capacity means you can bring the whole crew without feeling cramped, and eight hours gives everyone plenty of opportunities to get their fish. Don't let another weekend slip by wishing you were on the water - book your spot now and see why serious anglers choose the full-day experience when they really want to catch fish.
This fully equipped motorboat is your floating fishing headquarters for serious anglers who want comfort and convenience on the water. Built for 6 passengers, it features everything needed for productive 8-hour weekend fishing trips. The onboard fish finder helps locate those trophy trout and salmon, while the wireless trolling motor keeps you positioned quietly over prime spots without spooking fish. When you need a break from casting, relax in the air-conditioned cabin, grab cold drinks from the refrigerator, or prepare fresh catches in the full kitchen. GPS navigation gets you to the best fishing holes efficiently, and the multimedia system keeps everyone entertained during travel time. After long days chasing fish, crash in the comfortable bed, and the onboard toilet means no rushing back to shore. Ice box storage keeps your catch fresh for the journey home. This boat handles weekend warriors who want maximum fishing time with all the comforts.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the real trophy fish out here - these bruisers commonly run 15-30 pounds, with some pushing 40+ pounds. They've got that distinctive silver body with a blue-green back and black spots everywhere, plus that telltale black mouth. What makes them special is they're built for deep water and love to stay down where it's cooler, so we use downriggers and weighted gear to get to them. Early morning and evening are prime time when they're most active. The fight is solid and sustained - not as jumpy as other salmon, but they'll peel line for days. The meat is top-shelf too, with that rich orange color. Pro tip: when we're trolling, I like running herring or plugs just off the bottom in 60-120 feet. These fish are light-sensitive, so darker, deeper water is where we find the big ones consistently.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are pure adrenaline on a rod - these fish can jump six feet straight up and they'll use every inch of it. They average 8-12 pounds but fight like they're twice that size, with crazy aerial displays that get everyone on the boat excited. You'll find them in the top 40 feet of water, often near structure or where currents meet. They've got bright silver sides with dark backs and just a few spots on the upper tail. Late summer and fall are peak times when they're staging near river mouths. The meat is outstanding - bright orange and rich flavor that's hard to beat. What makes cohos special is their acrobatic nature; no other salmon puts on a show like these fish do. Here's my trick: when trolling, run bright spoons or plugs in chartreuse, pink, or fuchsia about 20-30 feet down. They're aggressive feeders and will often hit lures moving faster than you'd expect.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the giants of the char family and serious deep-water predators. Most fish we catch run 15-25 pounds, but 30-40 pounders show up regularly in the right spots. They're grey-green with cream colored markings and live their whole lives in cold, deep water - we're talking 80-200 feet down most of the time. Spring right after ice-out is prime because they come up shallow to feed, but summer means going deep with downriggers or heavy jigs. These fish fight differently than other trout - more of a bulldogging, head-shaking battle than jumps. The meat is excellent, firm and flaky. What guests love is the challenge of finding them in all that deep water and the size potential. My go-to technique is vertical jigging with tube jigs or swimbaits right on bottom. Key is finding the right structure - rocky points, humps, and drop-offs where baitfish school up.
Lake Michigan