Full Day Lake Michigan Salmon Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Sixhour charter targets Chinook and Coho salmon with Captain MikeAll fishing equipment and professional instruction included for all skill levelsPrivate Lake Michigan trip accommodates up to three guests maximum
Captain Mike's full-day Lake Michigan charter puts you right in the thick of some seriously productive salmon fishing. This six-hour trip targets the big guns – Chinook and Coho salmon, plus Lake Trout and Steelhead when they're running. Whether you're brand new to trolling the Great Lakes or you've been working these waters for years, Mike's got the local knowledge to put you on fish. All your rods, reels, and tackle are covered, so you just need to show up ready to fish. With space for up to three anglers, this is perfect for a small crew looking to dial in on some quality Lake Michigan action without dealing with crowded party boats.
You'll be fishing from a stable platform that handles Lake Michigan's moods like a champ. Captain Mike knows exactly where to find fish based on what's happening with water temps, bait movements, and seasonal patterns. Some days that means working the thermal breaks in deeper water, other days you might be targeting structure closer to shore. The beauty of a six-hour trip is having time to really work different areas and techniques. Mike's not just dropping lines and hoping – he's constantly reading the electronics, watching for bait schools, and adjusting based on what the fish are telling him. You'll get hands-on instruction if you need it, or Mike can step back and let experienced anglers do their thing while he handles the boat positioning and net duties.
This is classic Great Lakes trolling at its finest. You'll be running a spread of downriggers, planer boards, and leadcore setups depending on where the fish are holding. Mike's got all the proven spoons, plugs, and flasher-fly combos that consistently produce on Lake Michigan. The key is covering different depths and speeds until you crack the code for that particular day. Water temperature is everything out here – find that thermocline where the cold water meets the warmer surface layer, and that's where you'll mark bait and hopefully salmon. The electronics tell the story, but it takes years of experience to read them right and know exactly how to position the boat to keep baits in the strike zone. Mike handles all the technical stuff while you focus on fighting fish and learning the nuances of Great Lakes fishing.
Chinook Salmon are the heavyweight champions of Lake Michigan, and when you hook into a mature King, you'll know it immediately. These fish can push 20-30 pounds and will test your drag system with powerful runs and head-shaking fights. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with the biggest fish typically showing up during the pre-spawn period in late summer. What makes Chinooks so special is their sheer power – they'll strip line like nothing else in these waters, and landing a big King is something every Great Lakes angler dreams about.
Coho Salmon bring a different kind of excitement to the table. They're acrobatic fighters that love to jump and make surface runs, putting on a real show when hooked. Cohos typically run 5-12 pounds and are known for their silver sides and aggressive feeding behavior. They often travel in schools, so when you find one, there are usually more nearby. Spring and early summer tend to be prime time for Cohos, though they can be caught consistently through the warmer months when bait is abundant.
Lake Trout are the native heavyweights that call these deep, cold waters home. These fish can live for decades and reach impressive sizes – 15-20 pounders aren't uncommon, with true giants pushing 30 pounds or more. Lakers are typically found in deeper water and are most active during cooler months or early morning hours in summer. They're bulldogs when hooked, using their weight and the deep water to their advantage. Many anglers consider Lake Trout the ultimate Great Lakes trophy because of their size potential and the challenge of consistently locating them.
Steelhead Trout are probably the most exciting fish to hook in Lake Michigan. These chrome-bright fighters are essentially rainbow trout that have adapted to lake life, and they fight like fish twice their size. Steelhead are famous for their aerial displays and never-give-up attitude. They can be caught year-round but are most abundant during spring and fall migrations. Even a 5-pound Steelhead will give you a workout, and the 8-12 pounders that Lake Michigan produces are absolutely electric on the end of a line.
Captain Mike's Lake Michigan charter delivers exactly what serious salmon anglers are looking for – professional guidance, quality equipment, and access to productive fishing grounds. This isn't a cookie-cutter operation where you're just another number. With only three spots available, you get personalized attention and the flexibility to adjust tactics based on what's working. The six-hour format gives you enough time to really get into fish without feeling rushed. Whether you're looking to learn Great Lakes trolling techniques or just want to get on some quality salmon without the hassle of rigging your own boat, this charter covers all the bases. Book your date now and get ready for some of the best salmon fishing Lake Michigan has to offer.
Captain Mike's motorboat cuts through Lake Michigan's waters with the precision you need for serious salmon fishing. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working productive spots, while the GPS navigation system gets you to where the Chinook and Coho are running. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, giving you real-time intel on what's swimming below. Built for the Great Lakes, this boat handles Lake Michigan's conditions while providing a stable platform for fighting those hard-pulling salmon. With room for three anglers, you've got plenty of space to work your lines without getting tangled up. The setup is perfect for targeting those deep-water salmon runs that make Lake Michigan fishing legendary.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Michigan, and there's nothing quite like hooking into a big chinook. These bruisers average 12-39 inches but can easily hit 20-30 pounds in our waters. They're light-sensitive fish that prefer deeper water, especially during bright conditions, which is why we often target them with downriggers and weighted presentations. The silver sides and blue-green backs make them easy to identify, plus they've got black spots and that distinctive black mouth. Spring through fall offers the best action, with early morning and evening producing top results. What guests love most is the raw power - chinooks make long, determined runs that'll test your arms and equipment. The reddish-pink meat is top-shelf eating too. Pro tip: when you hook a king, let it run initially. Fighting them too hard early usually means a pulled hook.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called "silvers," are some of the most acrobatic fish you'll find in Lake Michigan. These fighters typically run 12-30 inches and weigh 8-12 pounds, though we've seen bigger ones come over the rails. They're beautiful fish with dark blue-green backs, silver sides, and that distinctive pinkish stripe. Cohos love to jump when hooked - sometimes up to 6 feet - which makes for some exciting action. We usually find them suspended in mid-depths during summer, moving shallower in spring and fall. The meat has that bright orange-red color and tastes fantastic. Early morning and evening bites tend to be best when the light's low. One thing I always tell guests - when you hook a coho, keep steady pressure but be ready for those aerial shows. They'll test your drag for sure.
Salvelinus NamaycushLakers are the deep-water natives of Lake Michigan and the largest member of the char family. These fish live in the coldest, deepest parts of the lake where oxygen levels stay high. Most run 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds, with that distinctive grey-green color and cream-colored markings. They're slow growers that can live decades, making them quite the prize. Spring after ice-out and fall are prime times when they come up from the depths, but summer means deep water jigging in 100+ feet. What makes lakers special is they're pure Michigan natives and put up a strong, steady fight once hooked. The meat is excellent - rich and flaky. Since they avoid bright light, overcast days are your friend. Here's my go-to tip: use a jigging spoon or soft plastic, drop it deep, and work it slow. Lakers aren't speed demons but they hit hard when they're ready.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that spent time in big water, making them stronger and more silvery than their stream cousins. In Lake Michigan, they average 24 inches but can push 45 inches and 20+ pounds. These fish are nomads, cruising open water most of the year but moving shallow during spring and fall runs. What makes steelhead special is their stamina - they'll make long, powerful runs that really test your equipment. The chrome-bright ones fresh from deep water are absolute rockets. We target them from mid-fall through spring when water temps drop and they become more active. They're picky eaters, so presentation matters. My advice? When you hook one, don't try to horse it in. Let them run, keep steady pressure, and be patient. The fight is worth the wait, and they're excellent eating too.
Great Lakes