Lake Michigan Weekend Charter Fishing
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Target Steelhead, Lake Trout, Coho, and Chinook Salmon on Lake MichiganSeasonal weekend charters available May through September on select daysProfessional captain provides gear, guidance, and fish cleaning services
Lake Michigan's deep, cold waters hold some of the finest fishing you'll find anywhere in the Great Lakes. Our weekend charter trips put you right where the action is, targeting four of the lake's most prized species. With decades of experience reading these waters, I'll get you on the fish while you focus on what matters most – landing that trophy catch. We run a tight ship with room for just four anglers, so you'll get the personal attention and prime fishing spots that make all the difference.
Your afternoon starts at the dock where we'll get you set up with everything you need. No need to bring your own gear – we've got premium rods, reels, and tackle that's perfectly matched to Lake Michigan conditions. Once we clear the harbor, it's a short run to where the thermocline sets up and the big fish cruise. The lake changes personality throughout our season from May through early September, and I adjust our approach based on what the fish are telling us. Some days we're working structure in 60 feet, other times we're out in 120 feet following the bait schools. The beauty of these waters is there's always something biting if you know where to look.
We run a spread of downriggers and planer boards to cover maximum water and find active fish. Depending on conditions, we'll pull everything from spoons and plugs to cut bait rigs. The key is matching your presentation to what the fish want that day – sometimes they're aggressive and hitting flashy hardware, other times they want something subtle. I've got the electronics to show us exactly where we are in the water column and mark fish as we pass over them. When we find a school, we'll work it hard until they stop biting or move off. The cleaning station back at the dock means you'll go home with fillets ready for the pan, not a cooler full of work.
Rainbow Trout, better known as steelhead when they're in the lake, are absolute rockets when hooked. These chrome-bright fighters average 8-12 pounds but can push 15 or better. Early season finds them shallow, often in 40-80 feet of water, feeding heavily on alewives and smelt. They'll take spoons, body baits, and meat rigs with equal enthusiasm. What makes steelhead special is their unpredictability – one minute they're sulking on bottom, the next they're tailwalking across the surface. The spring run brings the biggest fish, but we see good numbers right through summer.
Coho Salmon are the acrobats of Lake Michigan, known for their spectacular jumps and blistering runs. These silver bullets typically range from 3-8 pounds, with occasional fish pushing double digits. Cohos love the upper water column, especially when baitfish are thick near the surface. They're suckers for small spoons in bright colors and will absolutely destroy a well-presented fly. Peak action happens in late spring and early summer when schools of juvenile salmon stage near shore before heading to deeper water. If you want non-stop action and don't mind smaller average size, coho fishing is hard to beat.
Chinook Salmon are the kings of these waters, and for good reason. These bruisers regularly hit 15-20 pounds, with true giants pushing 30 pounds or more. Kings prefer deeper water and bigger baits, often holding near bottom in 80-150 feet. They're less acrobatic than cohos but make up for it with raw power and stamina. A big chinook will test your drag system and your endurance. Mid to late summer produces the best king action as mature fish start their spawning runs. Landing a Lake Michigan chinook is a rite of passage for serious Great Lakes anglers.
Lake Trout are the natives here, perfectly adapted to Lake Michigan's deep, cold environment. These spotted beauties grow slowly but live long, with fish over 20 pounds not uncommon. Lakers prefer the deepest, coldest water we fish, often down where the temperature barely hits 40 degrees even in summer. They're structure-oriented fish that love rocky reefs, dropoffs, and underwater humps. Lake trout have a subtle bite compared to salmon, but once hooked they use their weight and the deep water to their advantage. The biggest fish come from the deepest spots, making them a true trophy species.
Lake Michigan fishing doesn't get much better than what we offer on these weekend charters. Small group sizes mean more fish per angler and the kind of personalized instruction that makes average fishermen into consistent catchers. Don't forget to grab your Michigan fishing license before you show up – it's required and we can't leave the dock without it. Our Thursday through Saturday schedule gives you flexibility to work around your week while hitting prime fishing times. These spots fill up fast once word gets out about hot fishing, so don't wait until the last minute to secure your date.
Step aboard the 31-foot "Fish Story" and get ready to chase Steelhead, Lake Trout, Coho, and Chinook Salmon across Lake Michigan's productive waters. This well-equipped charter boat runs on twin 454 HP Crusader engines that'll get you to the hot spots quickly, while the advanced Raymarine electronics package including chirp sonar, downscan imaging, and Fishhawk down temp probe helps locate fish holding in the depths. Your captain knows these waters and will put you on the fish with quality gear and expert guidance. The boat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers with air conditioning to beat the summer heat, plus a refrigerator, kitchen, and head for longer days on the water. Modern navigation and radar systems keep you safe in any weather conditions. Available May through early September on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday trips - just bring your fishing license and we'll take care of cleaning your catch. Lake Michigan's salmon and trout are waiting.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Michigan, averaging 7-15 pounds but regularly hitting 20-30 pounds during peak season. These bruisers stay deep, often 60-120 feet down in the cooler water where they're most comfortable. They're light-sensitive, so dawn and dusk fishing produces the best results, though we catch them all day when conditions are right. What makes kings special is their raw power - no flashy jumps like cohos, just pure bulldogging strength that'll test your equipment and endurance. The reddish-pink meat is premium table fare, rich and flavorful. They've got distinctive black mouths and gums, plus spots on their entire tail fin. During our May to September window, they're feeding heavily on alewives and other baitfish. Key tip: when fighting a big king, let the fish run and use the boat's drag instead of trying to muscle it up - patience wins the day with these monsters.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon are absolute acrobats that'll give you a show when hooked. These silver bullets typically run 12-30 inches and weigh 8-12 pounds in our waters, with some reaching into the teens. They cruise mid-water during our season, usually 20-60 feet down, following baitfish schools. Early summer through August is prime time when they're feeding aggressively before their spawning run. What guests love most is their fighting spirit - cohos will jump clear out of the water multiple times, making spectacular runs that test your drag. The bright orange meat is top-shelf eating, rich in flavor and perfect for the table. They're known as "silver salmon" for good reason - that chrome finish makes them beautiful fish to photograph. Here's a local trick: when a coho jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water to prevent the line from snapping on re-entry.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of our fishery, averaging 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds - real tackle-busters that live in the coldest depths. During summer, they're hanging 80-200 feet down where the water stays frigid year-round. These grey-green fish with cream-colored spots are slow growers that can live decades, making each one special. Overcast days and low-light conditions bring the best action since they avoid bright sunlight. What anglers love is the steady, powerful fight - no acrobatics, just relentless pulling that'll wear you out. The firm, white meat is excellent eating with a delicate flavor. Spring right after ice-out finds them shallower, but during our season they're deep dwellers. Jigging is the go-to method with heavy spoons and jigs that can reach bottom quickly. Local secret: when you find one laker, work that area thoroughly - they school up and where there's one, there's usually more.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout in Lake Michigan typically run 8-24 inches and average 2-8 pounds, though we see some beauties pushing double digits. These silvery fish with that signature pink stripe love the cooler waters and clean conditions the lake provides. Early morning and evening are prime times when they're actively feeding near the surface or mid-water column. During our May through September season, they'll move to deeper, cooler water as temperatures rise. What makes them special is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump and run when hooked, giving you a real battle. The meat is excellent eating with a mild, slightly nutty flavor that's perfect on the grill. Pro tip: when you feel that first hit, keep steady pressure but don't horse them in - their mouths are softer than salmon and the hook can pull free if you're too aggressive.
Lake Michigan