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Top-Rated 5-Hour Lake Michigan Fishing Trip
- Published Date: July 17, 2025
- Fishing
- Lake Michigan
- $200 - $1,075 price range
- Updated Date: November 2, 2025
Summary
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Lake Michigan's Finest Catches
Great trolling session with clearing afternoon weather at Port Washington Marina!
Nice rainbow trout trolling in Port Washington! Afternoon clearing made for exciting fishing.
Nice Chinook salmon caught trolling at Port Washington Marina as the afternoon cleared up!
Huge catch while trolling on a partly cloudy day in Port Washington!
Great catch trolling today! Afternoon clearing made for perfect fishing conditions.
Great trolling session with clearing afternoon weather at Port Washington Marina!
Nice rainbow trout trolling in Port Washington! Afternoon clearing made for exciting fishing.
Nice Chinook salmon caught trolling at Port Washington Marina as the afternoon cleared up!
Huge catch while trolling on a partly cloudy day in Port Washington!
Great catch trolling today! Afternoon clearing made for perfect fishing conditions.
Great trolling session with clearing afternoon weather at Port Washington Marina!
Nice rainbow trout trolling in Port Washington! Afternoon clearing made for exciting fishing.
Nice Chinook salmon caught trolling at Port Washington Marina as the afternoon cleared up!
Huge catch while trolling on a partly cloudy day in Port Washington!
Reel in Lake Michigan's Finest: 5-Hour Fishing Trip
Ready to get your line wet in the legendary waters of Lake Michigan? Our 5-hour fishing trip out of Port Washington, WI is the perfect way to experience the thrill of the catch without dedicating your entire day. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just starting out, this trip offers the chance to hook into some of the lake's most prized fish. We'll be targeting a mix of trout and salmon species, giving you a taste of what makes Lake Michigan fishing so special.
What to Expect on the Water
As soon as we leave the harbor, you'll feel the excitement building. The captain will head to where the fish are biting, using years of local knowledge to put you on the hotspots. We'll be trolling, which means dragging lures behind the boat to entice strikes from hungry fish. It's a relaxed style of fishing that lets you enjoy the scenery while waiting for that sudden burst of action when a fish hits. The boat's equipped with top-notch gear, so all you need to bring is your enthusiasm and maybe a snack or two. With a maximum of 5 guests, you'll have plenty of elbow room and personal attention from the crew.
Trolling Tactics for Success
Trolling is the name of the game on Lake Michigan, and it's a technique that's proven effective for targeting the lake's prized gamefish. We'll set up multiple lines at different depths, using a variety of lures to attract fish. The captain will keep an eye on the fish finder, looking for schools of baitfish or temperature breaks where big fish like to hang out. When a fish strikes, it's all hands on deck! You'll take turns reeling in the catch, with the crew there to coach you through the fight. It's a team effort that makes every fish a shared victory.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
"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
Lake Michigan is home to a variety of sought-after gamefish, and on this trip, we're targeting some of the best. Let's break down what you might catch:
Coho Salmon: These feisty fighters are known for their acrobatic leaps and delicious flavor. Averaging 3-5 pounds, Cohos are most active in the spring and fall. They're a favorite among anglers for their willingness to hit lures and their tasty fillets.
Chinook Salmon: Also known as King Salmon, these are the heavyweights of Lake Michigan. Chinooks can top 30 pounds, though 15-20 pounders are more common. They're at their peak in late summer and early fall when they start their spawning run. Hooking into one of these brutes is an unforgettable experience.
Steelhead Trout: These rainbow trout spend most of their lives in the lake before returning to rivers to spawn. Known for their hard fights and silver sides, steelhead are a prized catch year-round. They average 5-10 pounds but can grow much larger.
Brown Trout: Lake Michigan's brown trout are a wary and worthy adversary. They're most active in cooler months and prefer to stay close to shore. Browns are known for their beautiful spotted patterns and can reach impressive sizes, with fish over 10 pounds not uncommon.
Lake Trout: The native species of the Great Lakes, lake trout are the deepwater specialists. They're built for cold water and can be found year-round. While they don't jump like salmon, their powerful runs will test your arms. Lake trout can live for decades and grow to massive sizes, with 20-pounders a real possibility.
Time to Book Your Spot
Whether you're looking to fill the freezer with delicious fillets or just want to experience the thrill of battling Lake Michigan's finest, this 5-hour trip has you covered. With morning and afternoon options available, it's easy to fit a fishing adventure into your schedule. The captain and crew at Fishin Da Net Charter Fishing are ready to share their local knowledge and help you create lasting memories on the water. Don't let the big one get away – book your trip now and get ready for an action-packed day on Lake Michigan!
Customer Review
Fishing Fun w Capt
Justin Marquis
August 13, 2024
Learn more about the species
Brown Trout
Brown trout are the crafty ones of Lake Michigan. These fish average 5-10 pounds but can reach 20+. You'll often find them hugging structure near shore, especially in spring and fall. Browns are known for their selective feeding and hard fights once hooked. Early mornings and evenings are prime times, as they're most active in low light. Anglers enjoy targeting browns for their challenging nature and excellent taste. When trolling the shallows, I like to run smaller stickbaits or spoons - browns often prefer a more subtle presentation. Keep an eye out for rocky points or submerged trees; browns love to ambush prey around cover. The combination of their elusiveness and hard-fighting spirit makes landing a big brown a real accomplishment on our trips.
Chinook Salmon
Chinook, or king salmon, are the heavyweights of Lake Michigan. These bruisers can top 30 pounds, with 15-20 pounders common. You'll find them deep in summer, often 50-100 feet down, and shallower in spring and fall. Kings are known for their strong, determined fights - be ready for some sore arms! Late summer and early fall are prime, as mature fish stage for their spawning runs. Anglers love targeting kings for both their fight and their rich, flavorful meat. When trolling deep, I like to run big flashers and flies - kings can't resist that combo. Watch for bait balls on your fish finder; kings are often lurking nearby. Landing a big king is a real accomplishment, making them a top trophy for many of our guests.
Coho Salmon
Coho salmon are a favorite among Lake Michigan anglers, typically running 8-12 pounds. These acrobatic fighters put on a great show when hooked. You'll find them suspended in the water column, often 30-60 feet down. Spring and fall are prime seasons, but summer can be hot too. Cohos have a milder flavor than some other salmon, making them popular for the dinner table. When trolling, I like to run smaller spoons or plugs near the downrigger ball - cohos often hang just above it. Keep an eye on your sonar, as these fish tend to school up. Once you find them, you can often catch several before moving on. The fight and taste make cohos a blast to target on our trips.
Lake Trout
Lake trout are the deep-water giants of Lake Michigan. These fish can live for decades, with some topping 20 pounds. You'll find them hugging the bottom in 80-200 feet of water, especially in summer. Lakers are known for their dogged, powerful fights - be ready for some heavy lifting! Spring and fall are good, but summer's when the big ones often bite. Anglers love lakers for their size and rich, oily meat that's perfect for smoking. When jigging deep, I like to use big rubber tubes in white or chartreuse - lakers can't resist them. Watch your sonar closely; these fish often hug tight to the bottom. The challenge of battling a big laker up from the depths makes them a favorite target for many of our guests looking for a true trophy fish.
Steelhead Trout
Steelhead are the adrenaline junkies of Lake Michigan - these sea-run rainbows put on an acrobatic show when hooked. Averaging 5-10 pounds, they're known for blistering runs and spectacular jumps. You'll find them near shore in spring and fall, then out deeper in summer. They love to hang around temperature breaks and underwater structure. Spring is prime time when they're staging to run the rivers. Steelhead fight hard and taste great, so they're popular with both catch-and-release and take-home anglers. When trolling, I like to run some lines with brightly colored spoons - steelhead seem drawn to flashy lures. Keep your drag set light, as these fish can make sudden, powerful runs. The combination of their fighting spirit and table quality makes steelhead a favorite target on our charters.
About the Fishin Da Net
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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!