King Salmon Fishing with Don Lockhart
Private Trip
River Fishing
Halfday and fullday King Salmon fishing options availableExpert guide provides all tackle, bait, and local river knowledgeAccommodates up to three guests from July through November
When it comes to chasing chinook salmon in Michigan waters, few guides know the rivers like Don Lockhart. From July through November, he's putting anglers on some of the most aggressive king salmon you'll find anywhere in the Great Lakes region. Whether you're looking for a quick 4-hour morning bite or want to commit to a full 8-hour day of serious fishing, Don's got you covered. His trips accommodate up to three guests, which means you're not fighting for rod space or dealing with crowded boat chaos. Every trip includes all your bait, tackle, and the kind of local knowledge that only comes from years of reading Michigan's salmon waters.
Don runs a tight ship when it comes to salmon fishing, combining old-school river smarts with modern fish-finding electronics. You'll meet at a designated spot after booking – Don keeps his honey holes close to the vest, and for good reason. These Michigan rivers hold some serious fish, and the last thing any guide wants is weekend warriors crowding productive water. The half-day trips are perfect if you're testing the waters or have limited time, while the full-day adventures give you the best shot at hitting multiple spots and different feeding windows. Don's approach is hands-on but not overbearing – he'll get beginners comfortable with the gear while letting experienced anglers do their thing. The boat setup is dialed for salmon fishing, with quality rods, reels that can handle big fish, and a tackle selection that changes based on conditions and what the fish are hitting.
Salmon fishing in Michigan rivers requires a different mindset than lake trolling or stream trout fishing. Don focuses on reading water structure, current breaks, and seasonal migration patterns that bring these Pacific transplants into catchable water. Depending on the time of year and specific river conditions, you might be drift fishing with spawn bags, pulling plugs in deeper holes, or working spinners through likely holding spots. The electronics come into play for marking fish and reading bottom structure, but Don's eyes and experience are what really put you on salmon. Early season fish in July and August are still bright and aggressive, while September and October bring the spawning push that concentrates fish in predictable areas. Don adjusts his techniques throughout the season, switching from summer patterns focused on feeding fish to fall strategies that target pre-spawn and spawning salmon. The gear is matched to the fish – these aren't 12-inch brookies, and the tackle reflects that reality.
King salmon, also called chinook salmon, are the largest Pacific salmon species and the main target on Don's trips. In Michigan waters, these fish average 15-25 pounds, with plenty of 30-pounders and occasional monsters pushing 40 pounds or more. They're built for power – broad shoulders, deep bodies, and an attitude that makes every hookup memorable. Kings hit hard and fight harder, with initial runs that can strip line off your reel before you know what happened. July and early August fish are still feeding heavily and will chase lures aggressively. As the season progresses into September and October, the fish develop their spawning colors – males get hooked jaws and darker sides, while females remain more silver but pack on weight with developing eggs. The excitement of hooking a big king never gets old, whether it's your first salmon or your hundredth. These fish jump, run, and use every trick in the book to throw the hook. When you finally get one to the net, you'll understand why salmon fishing becomes an obsession for so many anglers.
Michigan's salmon program has created world-class fishing opportunities that rival anything you'll find on the West Coast. The state's rivers provide perfect spawning habitat, and decades of stocking efforts have established self-sustaining runs in many systems. What makes fishing here special is the combination of accessible water and genuine trophy potential. You don't need to charter a big lake boat or deal with ocean conditions – these salmon come right to you as they enter the rivers. The fish are concentrated, predictable, and often more aggressive than their saltwater cousins. Don's knowledge of specific rivers, timing, and techniques gives you the best shot at success. He's not just running a fishing trip – he's sharing years of trial and error, successful patterns, and the kind of insights that turn okay fishing days into great ones. The season runs long enough that you can target early aggressive fish, peak migration periods, or late-season spawners depending on your preferences and schedule.
Don's salmon trips book up fast, especially during peak migration periods in September and October. The limited guest capacity means a better experience for everyone on the boat, but it also means fewer available dates. Whether you choose the half-day option to test the waters or commit to a full day of serious salmon fishing, you're getting access to some of Michigan's best king salmon opportunities. Don provides everything you need except your fishing license – just bring weather-appropriate clothing and prepare for some serious fish fights. These trips work for anyone who can handle a fishing rod, from complete beginners getting their first taste of salmon fishing to experienced anglers looking to dial in their techniques on new water. Book early, show up ready to fish, and prepare for the kind of salmon action that keeps anglers coming back year after year.
This 20-foot Riverman jet sled cuts through Michigan's shallow rivers like it was built for the job - because it was. The 115 HP jet motor gives you the power to reach those hard-to-access salmon holes where the big kings like to stage up during their runs. With space for up to three anglers, there's plenty of room to work your gear without bumping elbows when the action gets hot. The shallow-draft design means you can chase fish into skinny water where other boats can't follow, and the stable platform gives you solid footing whether you're fighting a chrome-bright salmon or just trying to land your lure in that perfect pocket behind a boulder. Guide Don's got this rig dialed in with electronics to read the water and find where the fish are holding.
Michigan