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Top-Rated 5-Hour Lake Michigan Fishing Trip
Lake MichiganWhat you will be catching:
Brown Trout
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
Lake Trout
Steelhead Trout
Trip Pricing and Availabilities :
No trip pricing information available at this time.
Private 5-Hour Lake Michigan Fishing Trip
Looking for the perfect balance between quality fishing time and a manageable schedule? This 5-hour half-day charter on Lake Michigan hits that sweet spot every time. Whether you're new to the game or you've been working these waters for years, Captain Dave's got you covered with morning and afternoon options that work around your life. Port Washington sits in one of the most productive zones on Lake Michigan, and these shorter trips let you sample what makes this fishery legendary without burning your whole day. You'll be trolling for some seriously beautiful fish – Lake Trout, Steelhead, Browns, Chinook, and Coho – all while learning why locals consider this stretch of water pure gold for salmon and trout fishing.
What to Expect on the Water
Captain Dave runs a tight but relaxed operation, handling up to 5 anglers per trip so everyone gets plenty of action without feeling crowded. The beauty of booking either morning or afternoon slots means you can work around family plans, work schedules, or just sleep in if that's your style. Morning trips often catch fish feeding aggressively after the night, while afternoon outings can be money when fish move into shallower water as the day warms up. Your captain knows these seasonal patterns like the back of his hand and will suggest the best departure time based on what's been producing lately. Don't worry about bringing anything except your fishing license – rods, reels, tackle, and all the technical stuff is provided. Just show up ready to learn and have some fun pulling fish over the gunwale.
Trolling the Lake Michigan Way
This isn't pond fishing – Lake Michigan trolling is an art form that combines speed, depth, and lure selection to trigger strikes from fish cruising the open water. You'll be running downriggers and planer boards to get your baits down into the strike zone where salmon and trout patrol for baitfish. The boat covers serious water, following temperature breaks and baitfish schools that show up on the electronics. Spoons, flashers with flies, and plugs all have their place depending on conditions and what the fish want that particular day. Captain Dave reads the water like a book, adjusting speed and depth until you start connecting with fish. The trolling setup means multiple lines in the water at once, so when schools move through, things can get busy fast with rods going off left and right.
Customer Stories
"Went on a family fishing trip with Capt' Dave and had a great time! He took care of everything for us and was very professional and friendly to work with. Would highly recommend him to anyone looking to get out on the water!" - Justin
Species You'll Want to Hook
Coho Salmon bring the most excitement per pound of any fish swimming in Lake Michigan. These silver rockets average 3-8 pounds but fight like fish twice their size, jumping clear out of the water and making screaming runs that test your drag system. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with July and August being absolutely prime time. Coho school up tight, so when you find them, expect fast action with multiple hookups. They're also fantastic table fare, making them a customer favorite for good reason.
Steelhead Trout are the ultimate prize for many Lake Michigan anglers, and for good reason. These chrome-bright beauties range from 5-15 pounds and fight with raw power that'll surprise first-time steelhead anglers. They run hard, jump high, and never give up until they're in the net. Spring and fall see the biggest fish as they prepare for or recover from spawning runs, but quality steelhead bite all season long. The bigger fish often cruise deeper water where trolling excels at reaching them.
Chinook Salmon earn their nickname "King" through sheer size and strength. These bruisers commonly hit 15-25 pounds, with bigger fish always possible. Chinooks prefer cooler, deeper water and fight with bulldogging power that tests equipment and angler endurance alike. Early season and late fall typically produce the largest fish, though quality kings patrol Lake Michigan's depths year-round. Landing a big chinook on trolling gear creates memories that last a lifetime.
Brown Trout represent the craftiest species you'll target, known for being selective about lures and fighting conditions. These golden-sided beauties range from 3-12 pounds, with the bigger fish being extremely wary. Browns often feed most actively during low-light periods, making dawn and dusk prime time. When you hook a quality brown, expect a smart fighter that uses every trick in the book – jumping, running toward structure, and making sudden direction changes that can catch anglers off guard.
Lake Trout provide steady action when other species get finicky, though don't mistake them for easy targets. These native char range from 3-20+ pounds and inhabit the deeper, colder portions of Lake Michigan. Lakers fight with steady, powerful runs rather than flashy jumps, but their stamina tests your patience and technique. They're excellent eating and often save the day when salmon and steelhead aren't cooperating. Bigger lake trout become more common as water temperatures drop in fall and early spring.
Time to Book Your Spot
Five hours on Lake Michigan with an experienced captain who knows where fish live and how to catch them – that's what separates a great fishing trip from just another boat ride. Port Washington's location puts you right in the heart of some of the lake's most consistent fishing, and Captain Dave's track record speaks for itself. Whether you're planning a family outing, introducing someone new to Great Lakes fishing, or just want to get your line wet without committing to a full day, this trip delivers the goods. Morning or afternoon, spring through fall, there's never a bad time to experience what makes Lake Michigan fishing legendary. Give Captain Dave a call and get your spot locked in – the fish are waiting, and these half-day trips book up fast during peak season.
Customer Review
Captain Dave Rocks
Justin Marquis
August 13, 2024
Learn more about the species
Brown Trout
Brown trout are the smartest fish in Lake Michigan and arguably the best eating. These golden-brown beauties with black spots average 8-24 inches but the lake-run fish can reach impressive sizes. Unlike other trout, browns are night feeders and stick close to structure - rocky points, drop-offs, and pier heads in 15-60 feet of water. Fall is prime time when they feed aggressively before spawning. What anglers love about browns is their wariness and fight - they're educated fish that make you work. The firm, mild flesh is restaurant quality. Here's what most people don't know: browns often follow your lure for a long time before striking, so vary your trolling speed and don't be afraid to make sharp turns.
Chinook Salmon
King salmon are the heavyweights of Lake Michigan, averaging 15-20 pounds with some pushing over 30. These blue-green backed fish with black-spotted fins are light-sensitive, so they hang deep during bright days - usually 60-120 feet down near the thermocline. We target them from late spring through early fall, with dawn and dusk being prime time. What makes kings special is their power and the quality of their pink meat. They don't jump much but they'll peel line and make you work for every inch. The fight is more like battling a submarine than a fish. My advice: when you hook one, pump and wind - don't just crank. Let the fish tire itself against steady pressure and your drag system.
Coho Salmon
Coho salmon, also called "silvers," are some of the most acrobatic fish you'll hook in Lake Michigan. These 8-12 pound fighters have bright silver sides with black spots and can jump up to 6 feet when hooked. We typically find them suspended in 40-80 feet of water, especially near temperature breaks. Spring through early fall offers the best action, with morning and evening producing top results. What makes cohos special is their aggressive strikes and aerial shows - they'll test your drag and put on a real display. The orange-red meat is fantastic eating too. Pro tip: when trolling, watch your rods carefully because cohos hit hard and fast, often before you hear the downrigger release.
Lake Trout
Lake trout are the deep-water giants of our fishery, living in the coldest, most oxygenated water we can find. These grey-green fish with cream spots typically run 24-36 inches and 15-40 pounds. They spend most of their time suspended over 100-foot depths, though they'll move shallow right after ice-out in spring. We target them year-round, but overcast days and low-light conditions produce the best action. What makes lakers unique is their prehistoric look and the challenge of fishing deep water. They're steady fighters rather than acrobatic, and the meat is excellent when handled properly. The trick is jigging - let your spoon or jig fall on slack line, then work it with sharp lifts. Lakers often hit on the drop, so stay alert.
Steelhead Trout
Steelhead are basically rainbow trout that decided to live like salmon, spending time in the big lake before returning to spawn. These chrome-bright fish average 24 inches but can push 45 inches and 55 pounds in Lake Michigan. They're incredibly strong fighters with serious stamina. We find them anywhere from 20 to 200 feet down, often following baitfish schools along drop-offs and thermal bars. Mid-fall through spring gives us the best steelhead fishing, especially during overcast conditions. What guests love is their bulldogging fight - they don't jump much but they'll strip drag and make long powerful runs. Here's the key: keep steady pressure but let your drag work. These fish will find every snag if you horse them.
About the Fishin Da Net
%2F%2Fusers%2Fc2bbb3d6-abc4-4e65-8e7d-ec5948418f56%2Fvehicle_picture%2F2f3c34b9c7140003f791cec25c23d269.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 5
Manufacturer Name: Mercruiser
Maximum Cruising Speed: 25
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower per Engine: 205
Went on a family fishing trip with Capt' Dave and had a great time! He took care of everything for us and was very professional and friendly to work with. Would highly recommend him to anyone looking to get out on the water!