Lake Michigan Fishing Charters & Guides

Lake Michigan Fishing Charters

You may think you know all about Lake Michigan. Sure, it’s the second largest Great Lake, and surrounded by Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. But did you know the word “Michigan” translates to “great water” in Ojibwe? Or that anglers flock here to get a taste of the best fishing in the world? To say that trout and salmon are the top fish in these waters is an understatement. There are several varieties of trout and salmon swimming Lake Michigan, and that’s not including the other species like walleye, perch, pike, and more. But we’ll get into fishing Lake Michigan in just a bit. First, a few stats for you: Lake Michigan is almost the size of West Virginia with a surface area over 22,000 square miles (West Virginia is just over 24,000 square miles). It’s 321 miles long, 118 miles at its widest point, and maximum depth of 923 feet. Several water systems connect with the lake along the shoreline, including Manistee and Muskegon in Michigan, and Green Bay in Wisconsin.

Fishing Lake Michigan

Now let’s talk fishing. Once again, trout and salmon are the shining stars when it comes to Lake Michigan fishing charters. The sheer variety of what’s available makes anglers take notice. Chinook and Coho salmon show up in good numbers in Lake Michigan; Pink and Atlantic salmon are found here as well, but not as much. For trout we’re talking brown trout, brook trout, lake trout, and rainbow trout. Rainbow trout is actually referred to as steelhead here in Lake Michigan, and is one of the best gamefish in these waters. To bring home your limit of trout and or salmon, ask your Lake Michigan guide about trolling. This technique is used by several captains in the area and takes a practiced hand at getting it just right. Basically, the captain drives the boat across a large area with several lines in the water. If you drive too fast the fish will miss seeing the bait entirely, too slow and they won’t be interested. Trolling spoons or crankbaits is sure to get a bite on the line. Fishing for walleye is another favorite among Lake Michigan anglers. Walleye are a thin and long fish with gold and green coloring. During the cooler months they are typically found near the shoreline, especially around those tributaries running into the lake. Summertime has them moving farther out to deeper waters. The best time to fish for walleye in Lake Michigan is early spring using small jigs, plastics, crankbaits or spoons. Most Lake Michigan charters offer a variety of trip types, but last six hours. This is plenty of time for your group to get to the fishing grounds and reach your bag limits. Trip types will either be for a specific species, technique, or day of the week. If you’re looking for a good deal on your Lake Michigan excursion, consider booking during non-peak season (late summer or fall). Many captains will dry dock their boat during the winter, so you’ll want to get in before the season is over. Or else you’ll be waiting until spring before you’re out on the water. Unless you’re ice fishing, but that’s a different type of fishing altogether.

Visiting Lake Michigan

There’s about 1,400 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan; plenty of opportunities for visitors to access this bountiful Great Lake. If you’re on the east side of the lake, in Michigan, popular ports include Holland, Muskegon, and Manistee. If you’re in the UP (Upper Peninsula) at the northern end of the lake, Escanaba is where you want to be. The Windy City (Chicago, Illinois) has a front row seat to Lake Michigan. Located at the southern tip of the lake, the waterfront is a spectacular place to experience the lake. If you don’t have access to a boat, check out the Navy Pier. While it’s mostly known for its shops, restaurants, and attractions, there is a portion of the pier dedicated to fishing. It’s a great place to land yourself a perch. Kenosha, Sheboygan, and Green Bay in Wisconsin are great places to launch your Lake Michigan adventure. Ice fishing in northern Wisconsin is very popular, and available once the water ices over (usually mid-December or early January). No matter where you choose to launch your Lake Michigan fishing trip, you’re sure to have a day filled with bending rods and screaming lines.

Book A Lake Michigan Fishing Charter

Whether you’re after fan favorites trout, salmon, and walleye - or some bass, perch, or pike, a Lake Michigan fishing charter will get you on the fish. Get the family excited for a great day on the water and reserve your excursion with as little as 10% deposit. You’ll get to spend the day fishing and making memories, what could be better than that?