Full Day Kid-Friendly Salmon And Trout Fishing
Private Trip
River Fishing
Fullday Michigan river fishing targeting Steelhead, Salmon, and PikeKidfocused trip with provided gear, tackle, and complimentary lunchExpert guidance from Captain Rodney for safe, educational experience
Getting kids hooked on fishing starts with the right guide, and Captain Rodney knows exactly how to make that happen. This full-day Michigan fishing adventure gives young anglers 8 solid hours to learn the ropes while targeting some of the Great Lakes' most prized catches. We're talking Steelhead Trout, Coho and Chinook Salmon, plus those scrappy Northern Pike that'll put a bend in any rod. With gear, tackle, and bait all covered, plus a complimentary lunch to keep energy levels up, this trip is designed from the ground up for kids who want to experience real fishing without the usual frustrations. Just bring that Michigan fishing license and watch as your young angler discovers what all the fuss is about when it comes to Great Lakes fishing.
Captain Rodney runs a tight but relaxed operation, perfect for kids who need structure without feeling rushed. The boat launches early to hit prime feeding times, but don't worry about complicated techniques right off the bat. This is hands-on learning at its best - your young angler will get personal instruction on everything from proper casting form to reading the water for fish signs. The 2-guest capacity means plenty of individual attention, so no one's sitting on the sidelines waiting for their turn. Michigan's rivers offer some of the most consistent salmon and trout action in the Midwest, and Captain Rodney knows exactly where to position the boat based on current conditions, water temperature, and seasonal fish movement patterns. Expect to move between several productive spots throughout the day, giving kids exposure to different fishing scenarios and techniques.
All the fishing gear is provided and properly sized for younger hands, which makes a huge difference when you're trying to teach proper technique. We're using medium-action rods that have enough backbone to handle big salmon but won't wear out small arms during long fights. The tackle box is stocked with proven Great Lakes producers - spoons, plugs, and live bait setups that Captain Rodney has refined over years of guiding these waters. Kids learn real casting techniques, not just the basic overhead cast but also how to work lures through different water columns where salmon and trout like to cruise. Bottom bouncing for steelhead, trolling for salmon, and live bait presentations for brown trout - each technique gets explained in kid-friendly terms with plenty of practice time. The boat is equipped with quality fish finders and GPS, so Captain Rodney can show young anglers how technology helps locate fish while still teaching them to read water visually.
Rainbow Trout are the perfect starter fish for kids learning the ropes. These beauties typically run 2-4 pounds in Michigan waters and fight with surprising strength for their size. They're most active during cooler parts of the day and love structure like fallen trees and rocky drop-offs. What makes rainbows special is their willingness to hit a variety of baits and lures, giving young anglers multiple chances to connect. The colors on these fish are absolutely stunning - bright silver sides with that distinctive pink stripe that gives them their name. Kids love the acrobatic fights these trout put up, often jumping clear out of the water multiple times.
Coho Salmon are the silver bullets of the Great Lakes, and they're absolute dynamite on the end of a line. Running anywhere from 5-12 pounds, these fish provide the kind of arm-burning fights that create lifelong fishing memories. Cohos are most active from late summer through fall, and they have this amazing habit of making long, powerful runs that'll test any young angler's patience and technique. They're aggressive feeders, often hitting lures with such force that there's no question when you've got one on. The metallic silver sides and forked tail make them easy to identify, and Captain Rodney always has the camera ready for those trophy shots.
Steelhead Trout are legendary among Great Lakes anglers, and for good reason. These chrome-bright fish are essentially rainbow trout that have spent time in the big lakes, growing large and strong on a diet of alewives and other baitfish. They can push 10-15 pounds and fight like fish twice their size, making multiple runs and aerial displays that'll have kids whooping with excitement. Steelhead are incredibly line-shy and require finesse presentations, which makes them perfect for teaching young anglers about proper technique and patience. Spring and fall offer the best steelhead action in Michigan, when these fish move into river systems to spawn.
Chinook Salmon, also called King Salmon, are the heavyweight champions of the Great Lakes. These bruisers can exceed 20 pounds and provide battles that can last 20 minutes or more. What makes Chinooks special for kids is that despite their size, they're often cooperative about hitting well-presented baits and lures. They prefer deeper, cooler water during summer months but move shallow during their fall spawning runs. The sheer power of a big Chinook is something young anglers never forget - these fish can strip line off reels and make drag systems sing. Captain Rodney always emphasizes proper fighting techniques when targeting Kings, teaching kids how to use the rod's leverage rather than muscle to tire these giants.
Brown Trout are the thinking angler's fish, and they offer kids a chance to learn more sophisticated presentations. These fish are notoriously cautious and often require stealth and finesse to fool consistently. Michigan's brown trout typically range from 3-8 pounds, with occasional monsters that push double digits. They're most active during low-light periods - early morning and evening - which perfectly matches this full-day trip schedule. Browns have a reputation for being difficult, but that challenge is exactly what makes them so rewarding to catch. Their golden-brown coloration with distinctive black and red spots makes them one of the most beautiful freshwater fish in North America.
This kid-friendly fishing adventure represents
Captain Rodney's 18-foot aluminum fishing boat is perfect for getting you and one young angler out on Michigan's productive waters. This sturdy vessel comfortably handles two passengers while you target steelhead, salmon, and northern pike during your full-day adventure. The boat comes equipped with a reliable fishfinder to help locate those schooling fish, plus GPS navigation to hit the best fishing spots along the river. An onboard icebox keeps your complimentary lunch fresh and any caught fish properly chilled. The aluminum hull cuts through the water smoothly, giving kids a stable platform to practice their casting and learn proper reeling techniques. With all the essential electronics and storage you need, this boat lets you focus on teaching young anglers the ropes while Captain Rodney guides you to where the fish are biting.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smartest fish in the water - wary, selective, and absolutely beautiful with their golden-brown sides and black spots. They typically run 8-24 inches and prefer cool, clear water around 54-65°F. You'll find them hiding in deeper pools, under overhanging banks, or near woody structure during the day. Fall and early winter are magic times when they feed aggressively, especially at night. What anglers love is the challenge they present and their excellent table quality with firm, mild meat. These European imports have thrived in Michigan for over a century and can live up to 20 years, growing quite large. My best advice is to fish them at dawn or dusk near cover - try crawfish patterns or small streamers worked slowly along the bottom. Browns are spooky, so stay low and keep noise to a minimum.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the kings of freshwater fishing - these monsters can hit 39 inches and pack on 20-30 pounds of pure muscle. They're light-sensitive, so they hug the bottom in deep water during bright days, making early morning and evening your best shots. Spring through fall brings the best action as they stage in deeper holes and current breaks. Kids get a real thrill from the sheer size and power of these fish, plus that reddish-pink meat makes for some of the finest eating you'll find. They're also great indicators of clean water since they'll leave if conditions get poor. My secret weapon in Michigan waters is trolling weighted spoons or plugs in the thermocline during summer, but when they're shallow, nothing beats a fresh herring bounced along the bottom in deeper pools.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or "silvers" as we call them, are pure dynamite on a fishing line. These 12-30 inch fish average 8-12 pounds and are famous for their aerial acrobatics - they can jump straight up 6 feet when hooked. We find them in the deeper, calmer areas near structure like fallen trees or rocky drop-offs. Fall through early spring is prime time when they're staging for their spawning runs. What kids love most is their fighting spirit and that bright orange meat that tastes amazing on the dinner table. Here in Michigan, I've learned to look for them holding in the current breaks below dams and river mouths. Pro tip: bright lures like pink or chartreuse spoons work best, and don't be afraid to let them run - their initial burst is fierce but they'll tire quickly.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout are the perfect starter fish for kids - they're aggressive feeders and put up a solid fight without being overwhelming. You'll typically find them in 8-24 inch range, weighing 2-8 pounds. They love clean, cool water around 55-65°F, so we target them in deeper holes during summer and shallower runs in spring and fall. What makes them special is that beautiful pink stripe and those acrobatic jumps when hooked. They're also fantastic eating with mild, flaky meat. In Michigan waters, I always tell families to watch for rising fish early morning or late evening - that's when they're actively feeding on insects near the surface. A simple worm under a bobber works great, but don't be surprised if they hit small spinners too.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are the ultimate challenge fish - same species as rainbow trout but these ocean-run bruisers are built like silver rockets. They average 24 inches but can stretch to 45 inches and fight like fish twice their size. We target them in deeper pools with good current flow, especially around boulders and woody cover. Best fishing runs from mid-fall through spring when they're moving up tributaries. What makes steelhead special is their raw power and stamina - they'll make long runs and leap repeatedly. The meat is firm and excellent eating too. In Michigan's tributaries, I always tell anglers to focus on the seams where fast water meets slow. My go-to trick is drifting spawn bags or small jigs just off the bottom - steelhead are suckers for a natural presentation that tumbles along like real food.
Michigan