Lake Huron Salmon & Trout Fishing with Captain Adam
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Sixhour charter targets trout and salmon on Lake HuronCaptain Adam guides mixed bag fishing from Au Sable RiverSmall group experience accommodates up to three guests
Picture yourself six miles out on Lake Huron's deep blue waters, lines set at multiple depths, waiting for that telltale screaming drag that means you've got a hot salmon or steelhead on the other end. That's exactly what you'll experience with Captain Adam aboard his charter out of Oscoda, Michigan. This isn't your typical weekend fishing trip – we're talking about a full 6-hour charter targeting some of the Great Lakes' most prized gamefish. Whether you're a seasoned angler who knows the difference between a king and a coho hit, or someone who's never felt the power of a 20-pound lake trout, Captain Adam's got the knowledge and patience to put you on fish.
Your day starts early at the mouth of the Au Sable River, where Captain Adam's boat is docked and ready to roll. The Au Sable is legendary among Great Lakes anglers – it's where the big fish come to feed, and Captain Adam knows every productive spot within a 15-mile radius. You'll be fishing a maximum of three anglers, which means plenty of elbow room and personal attention when the action heats up. The boat launches into Lake Huron proper, heading to depths anywhere from 60 to 200 feet depending on what's biting and where the bait schools are holding. Captain Adam reads the water like a book – watching his electronics, checking water temps, and adjusting tactics based on what Mother Nature's serving up that day. The pace varies from relaxing trolling runs to heart-pounding multiple hookups when you hit a school of hungry salmon.
This is classic Great Lakes trolling at its finest. Captain Adam runs a spread of downriggers, dipsy divers, and leadcore lines to cover the entire water column where these fish feed. You'll be pulling spoons, plugs, and cut bait behind flashers – the same proven setups that tournament pros use on these waters. The downriggers get your bait down to where the lake trout and king salmon cruise in the thermocline, while the dipsies work the mid-depths where cohos and steelhead often patrol. Don't worry if you've never worked a downrigger before – Captain Adam will walk you through everything from setting the clip tension to fighting fish without tangling lines. The boat's equipped with quality rods and reels spooled with fresh line, plus all the terminal tackle you'll need. All you need to bring is your Michigan fishing license and maybe some snacks since meals aren't included on this charter.
Atlantic Salmon are the crown jewel of Lake Huron fishing, and Oscoda sits right in the heart of their range. These silver rockets typically run 8 to 15 pounds and fight like fish twice their size, making blistering runs and aerial displays that'll test your drag settings. They're most active in the cooler months from April through June and again in fall, preferring water temps in the mid-50s. What makes Atlantics special is their pure aggression – they'll smash a spoon so hard it'll nearly rip the rod out of your hands.
Pink Salmon show up in odd years during late summer, creating some of the hottest fishing action Lake Huron has to offer. These smaller salmon, usually 2 to 4 pounds, make up for their size with sheer numbers and attitude. When the pinks are running, it's not uncommon to boat 20 or more fish in a single trip. They're perfect for kids or anyone who wants non-stop action, and they hit everything from tiny spoons to flies stripped behind the boat.
Coho Salmon are the acrobats of the salmon family, known for their spectacular jumps and never-give-up fighting style. Running anywhere from 5 to 12 pounds in these waters, cohos are incredibly fun to catch on lighter tackle. They're active throughout the summer months and often feed higher in the water column, making them perfect targets for shallow-running presentations. Captain Adam often finds them relating to baitfish schools in 40 to 80 feet of water.
Steelhead Trout are pound-for-pound the strongest fish swimming in Lake Huron. These chrome-bright fighters can weigh anywhere from 6 to 20 pounds and will test every knot and connection on your setup. Spring and fall offer the best steelhead fishing, when these fish are feeding heavily before their spawning runs. They're notorious for long, powerful runs that can strip 100 yards of line in seconds, followed by head-shaking jumps that'll leave you breathless.
Lake Trout are the deep-water giants that call Lake Huron's coldest depths home. These native char can live for decades and reach impressive sizes – 10 to 25 pounders are common, with the occasional monster pushing 30 pounds or more. Lakers fight differently than salmon, using their bulk and the deep water to their advantage with powerful head shakes and bulldogging runs toward bottom. They're most active in spring and late fall when the water temperatures are more uniform, but Captain Adam knows the summer spots where they stack up in the thermocline.
Lake Huron's fishing season runs strong from ice-out in April through October, with different species peaking at different times. Captain Adam's local knowledge and years of experience fishing these waters give you the best shot at a successful day, whether you're after trophy lake trout in the spring depths or fast-action salmon during the summer runs. The 6-hour format gives you plenty of time to work different areas and techniques, plus the flexibility to chase whatever's biting best. With space for just three anglers, spots fill up fast during prime season. This top-rated charter has earned its reputation by consistently putting clients on fish and creating the kind of fishing memories that last a lifetime.
Captain Adam's 22-foot Custom Starcraft center console is built for serious Lake Huron fishing. This 1986 classic packs a 250HP Evinrude that'll get you out to the salmon and trout grounds fast, hitting speeds up to 47 knots when conditions call for it. The boat comfortably handles up to 3 anglers with plenty of room to work your lines. You'll appreciate the wireless trolling motor for those quiet approaches when the fish are finicky, plus the fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools. GPS keeps you on productive spots, while the VHF radio ensures safe communication on big water. The center console design gives everyone casting room and easy access to gear. Perfect for targeting Lake Huron's mixed bag of trout and salmon from the Au Sable River mouth. This setup handles the big lake's conditions while giving you the tools to put fish in the cooler.
Salmo SalarAtlantic salmon are impressive fish running 28-30 inches and 8-12 pounds, with that classic silver body that turns bronze when spawning. They're the only salmon in the Atlantic Ocean and closely related to brown trout. These anadromous fish migrate between fresh and saltwater, which gives them serious strength and stamina. Unfortunately, they're protected in US waters due to population concerns, so we can't target them directly. But knowing how to identify them is important since they occasionally show up mixed in with our Lake Huron salmon runs. Unlike Pacific salmon, Atlantics can survive spawning multiple times. Their orange-pink meat is considered top-shelf eating. When you do spot one, you'll notice the forked tail and relatively small head compared to the streamlined body.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or silvers, are some of Lake Huron's most acrobatic fighters. These beauties average 8-12 pounds and can jump 6 feet straight up when hooked. They've got that classic silver body with dark blue-green backs and black spots on the tail. Fall is prime time when they're staging in 30-80 feet of water near the Au Sable mouth, feeding heavily before their spawning run. What makes cohos special is their aggressive nature and aerial displays - they'll jump repeatedly, testing your drag and reflexes. The bright orange meat is fantastic eating too. We typically troll bright spoons and plugs in chartreuse, pink, or fuchsia. Pro tip: when a coho jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward the water. This keeps tension while giving them slack to land safely.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the giants of the char family, often running 15-40 pounds in Lake Huron's deep, cold water. These grey-green fish with cream-colored spots live in 80-200+ feet of water most of the year, suspended over deep basins or hugging bottom structure. Spring right after ice-out and late fall are prime times when they move shallower and feed more actively. Lakers are prized for their size and the challenge of fishing deep water. The fight is different - more of a bulldog pull than jumping, but they'll take line and test your patience. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for smoking. We typically jig heavy spoons or troll deep with downriggers. Pro tip: Lakers prefer low-light conditions, so overcast days or dawn/dusk produce better. When jigging, let your lure flutter down - they often hit on the drop.
Oncorhynchus GorbuschaPink salmon, also called humpies, are the smallest Pacific salmon but pack plenty of fight for their size. They average around 5 pounds but can reach 15 pounds in the Great Lakes. You'll recognize them by the distinctive hump on their back and large black spots on the tail. They prefer cold water and have a short 2-year life cycle, making them aggressive feeders when they're around. Peak season is late summer through fall when they're staging near river mouths. Pink salmon hit bright lures hard - especially pink jigs and hoochies that mimic the crustaceans they love eating. The meat has that classic salmon pink color from their diet. Here's a tip: when you find one pink, there's usually more nearby since they school up tight. Use small, bright presentations and keep them moving.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that live like salmon, spending time in the big lake before returning to spawn. They're built for speed with that streamlined, silvery body and can reach 24 inches or more. These fish are pure muscle and endurance - they'll make long runs and test your equipment. We find them in 40-100 feet of water during summer, often suspended mid-column following baitfish. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're more aggressive and closer to shore. What sets steelhead apart is their stamina; they don't give up easy and can fight for 10-15 minutes. The meat is excellent, similar to rainbow trout but richer from their lake diet. Best approach is trolling spoons or stickbaits at varying depths. Key tip: use a light drag - steelhead have soft mouths and will throw hooks if you horse them.
Detroit