Half-Day Fishing on Lake Michigan's Best Ports
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Target brown trout, salmon, and steelhead on Lake MichiganFish from fully equipped 18' Alumacraft with premium electronicsSix-hour private trip with Captain John Reddy's guidance
Captain John Reddy knows Lake Michigan like the back of his hand, and when you step aboard his 18' Alumacraft, you're getting access to decades of local fishing wisdom. This 6-hour guided adventure takes you to the proven waters around Milwaukee Harbor, Racine, Port Washington, and Kenosha – some of the most productive salmon and trout fishing grounds on the Great Lakes. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, Captain John tailors each trip to your skill level while targeting brown trout, Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, lake trout, and steelhead. With premium electronics, top-shelf gear, and a captain who lives and breathes these waters, you'll have everything you need for a memorable day chasing Lake Michigan's finest game fish.
Your fishing adventure runs from August through March, depending on open water conditions – prime time for when these fish are most active and aggressive. Captain John's boat is loaded with serious fishing tech that gives you a huge advantage on the water. We're talking dual Humminbird 12" Helix units with Down Imaging and Side Imaging, plus Garmin ECHOMAP systems with Panoptix LiveScope that literally shows you fish swimming in real-time. The bow-mounted and port-side LiveScope transducers mean we can see what's happening below and around the boat from multiple angles. Add in the Minn Kota Ultrex Quest trolling motor with Spot-Lock technology, and we can hold position over productive structure or follow schools of baitfish with surgical precision. The live bait well keeps your offerings fresh and lively, which makes all the difference when these fish get finicky. Remember to grab your Wisconsin fishing license and Great Lakes trout stamp before we head out – you'll need both to legally fish these waters.
Lake Michigan fishing is all about adapting to conditions and fish behavior, and Captain John switches between casting, trolling, and jigging based on what the fish are telling us. Early season often means trolling spoons and plugs through the thermal layers where salmon and trout cruise, using downriggers and planer boards to cover water and find active fish. When we mark schools on the LiveScope, we'll switch to vertical jigging with spoons or soft plastics, dropping right into the strike zone. Casting becomes deadly effective when fish are shallow or working baitfish near structure – nothing beats the excitement of seeing a big Chinook crash a surface lure. The beauty of fishing multiple ports is that if one area isn't producing, we can quickly relocate to Milwaukee Harbor's deeper water, Racine's productive reefs, Port Washington's consistent structure, or Kenosha's nearshore zones. Each location has its own personality and holds fish differently throughout the season, giving us multiple shots at success on every trip.
Coho salmon are the acrobats of Lake Michigan, and when you hook into one, you'll know it immediately. These silver rockets typically run 5-12 pounds and fight like fish twice their size, jumping clear out of the water multiple times during the battle. Cohos are most active from late summer through fall, feeding heavily on alewives and smelt in the top 40 feet of water. What makes them so exciting is their unpredictability – one minute they're deep, the next they're crashing bait on the surface. Steelhead trout bring a different kind of excitement to the boat. These chrome-bright fighters can stretch the tape to 30+ inches and are famous for their blistering runs and aerial displays. Spring and fall are peak times, when they're staging near river mouths or following temperature breaks offshore. Chinook salmon are the kings of these waters for good reason – mature fish can top 30 pounds and provide some of the most intense fishing battles you'll ever experience. These apex predators patrol deeper water during summer heat but move shallow in fall, gorging on baitfish before their spawning run. Brown trout are the craftiest fish in the lake, often feeding at dawn and dusk when other species are less active. They're notorious for following lures without committing, but when they do strike, their bulldogging fight and beautiful spotted flanks make them a prized catch for any angler.
Lake Michigan's salmon and trout fishing is world-class, and Captain John's local knowledge combined with cutting-edge electronics gives you the best shot at connecting with these incredible fish. Whether you're looking to learn new techniques, introduce someone to Great Lakes fishing, or just want to get away from the crowds with a knowledgeable guide, this half-day adventure delivers real fishing action on some of the most productive waters in the region. The 2-person capacity means you get personalized attention and plenty of room to fight fish without feeling crowded. Don't wait too long to book – the best fishing windows fill up fast, especially when word gets out about hot bites. Captain John's reputation for putting clients on fish speaks for itself, and once you experience the quality of this operation, you'll understand why anglers keep coming back season after season.
Captain John's updated 18' Alumacraft puts you right in the action on Lake Michigan's productive waters around Milwaukee Harbor, Racine, Port Washington, and Kenosha. This fishing machine comes loaded with serious electronics – dual Humminbird Helix units with MEGA 360 imaging, Garmin ECHOMAP with LiveScope technology, and LakeMaster mapping to pinpoint structure and fish. The Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor with Spot-Lock keeps you positioned perfectly over schools of brown trout, Chinook salmon, Coho, lake trout, and steelhead. Whether you're casting to nearshore structure or trolling the deeper offshore zones, this boat's advanced sonar and GPS systems give you a real edge. The live bait well keeps your presentations fresh, while the bow-mounted LiveScope transducer lets you watch fish reactions in real-time. Perfect setup for two anglers looking to target Lake Michigan's premier game fish during the prime August through March season when these waters produce consistent action.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the smartest fish we chase, and that's what makes them so rewarding to catch. They typically run 8-24 inches in our area and have this beautiful golden-brown color with black spots scattered across their sides and back. Browns are notorious for being cautious and structure-oriented - you'll find them around rocky areas, drop-offs, and anywhere they can ambush prey. They feed most aggressively in low-light conditions, making early morning and evening prime time. Fall into spring is when they really turn on, feeding heavily before and after their spawn. What keeps anglers coming back is the challenge - browns have a reputation for being difficult, but when you connect, they fight hard and taste fantastic. The meat is firm and mild, perfect on the grill. My go-to trick for browns is to fish near piers and breakwalls where they hunt for injured baitfish. Work your lures slowly and be ready for subtle strikes.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaChinook salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan - literally. These bruisers average 12-15 pounds but can easily hit 20-30 pounds in our waters. They're built like torpedoes with silver sides, dark blue-green backs, and black spots covering their head, back, and all fins. Kings prefer deeper, cooler water and tend to stay near the bottom, especially during bright conditions. That's why we often fish them with downriggers or weighted lines. Our August through March season is ideal because they're actively feeding and bulking up. What draws people to Chinooks is simple: they're the biggest, strongest fish we target, and their pink-orange meat is top-shelf eating. They don't jump much, but they'll make long, bulldogging runs that can take several minutes to win. Here's the key - use heavy enough tackle and don't rush the fight. These fish have the power to straighten hooks if you get aggressive too early.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, also called "silvers," are some of the most acrobatic fish you'll hook in these waters. They average 8-12 pounds and put up a serious fight, often jumping clean out of the water when hooked. These fish have that classic silver body with black spots on their back and tail. Out here on Lake Michigan, we find them in both shallow nearshore areas and deeper offshore waters, usually following baitfish schools. Fall through early spring is prime time when they're actively feeding and building energy. What makes cohos special is their incredible fight-to-size ratio and excellent eating quality with bright orange meat. Here's a local trick: when you see them jumping around baitfish on the surface, downsize your lure and work the edges of the school rather than casting right into the middle of the action.
Oncorhynchus mykissSteelhead are basically rainbow trout that have spent time in the big lake, and they fight like they've been hitting the gym. These silver rockets typically run 24 inches but can stretch past 30, and they're known for long, powerful runs that'll test your drag. Unlike their freshwater cousins, steelhead develop a more streamlined, chrome-colored body with black spots scattered across their back. We target them in deeper water during our season, often near structure or temperature breaks where they cruise hunting for food. The colder months are perfect since they're actively feeding and less spooky than in summer. Anglers love steelhead because they combine the beauty of a trout with the power of a salmon, plus they make outstanding table fare. Pro tip: when fighting one, keep steady pressure but let them run - trying to horse them in early will usually result in a pulled hook.
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