Lake Michigan

[MJR]

Hello, trying to plan a trip to Michigan this summer and wondering if anyone has used any guides or charter boats with any success. Probably be 3 or 4 guys looking for a fishing destination. Doesn't have to be real nice but want to catch fish. Also any time of the year better to go than others. Would want to catch trout & salmon.

Thanks

[CrappieJohn]

MJR....drop me an e-mail at the addy below in my signature.

[MJR]

Youve got mail

[fishwidow]

We go out of Algoma every summer in July. Always catch fish, sometimes lots but smaller, sometimes bigger but not as many. Last year lots of fish with an average of probably 10-12#.

[Tom Linderholm]

I'll second your Algoma, this will be third year out there. We stay at Kaptain K's marina and sleep on the boat. Keeps it pretty inexpensive and there is always good fishing in the 2 years we have been out there. One trip in Mid July and one beginning August. Both were good.

[ethan77]

we went out of shybogan last year... towards the end of july... we did ok in the pm.. but in the am we killed the salmon.. still eating them to this day... we went out with dumper dans.. nice boats and a real nice crew.. they are a top notch service...

[Bob Horn]

What part of Lake Michigan? What state do you want to fish from?

[MJR]

Thanks for all of the input, I am coming from Minneapolis so I probably would want to go out of Wisconsin.

[iland99]

I used to live in Sheboygan, WI for a short time. I can tell you it's about a 5 and a half hour drive from the north metro area. Last year they were just hammering the king salmon out there. I haven't fished the big lake for about 6 years now, but I'm planning a trip back out there this summer. As far as charter service goes I can't help you out much there, my uncle has his own boat so that's who I would always fish with. I have heard good things about Dumper Dan though.

[fishinphilth]

We go every year and always catch fish. Cant remember a time that we didn't. We go out of Port Washington just north of Milwaukee. We use the same guide every year. Nicky Boy Charters. Very pleased with the service. Here is a picture of last years morning catch. Biggest was 25lb and smallest was about 3lb. Left the dock at 6am and we were back at the dock by 9am [image]http://[/image]

[setterguy]

My dad's buddy captians out of Algoma. We were there last year on July 15th and killed em. Good guy, likes to swear, and smoke cigars, and can really find the fish. As hot as the bite has been, it seemed like we had bigger/more fish than most at the cleaning stations. If you are interested in some info shoot me an email.

[email protected]

[fishwidow]

Setterguy, that's the same time we go every year. Overall in 15 years of doing this, last year was the best, but it's always been good. We go out of the place right on the river.

[Tom Linderholm]

We arrived out there on the 21st last year and like you all said the fishing was hot. I saw on the first morning charter boats coming in bt 9am with 3 coolers a piece. General consensus around there was size was down last year but numbers were up. Wonder what this year will bring. Oh yeah if anyone snags into a Okuma 302 on a 8' Okuma rod with a big king on it please get in touch with me. I would like my gear back.

[federline]

I've got kinda the same question, but I'll be on "the other side" in Ludington, MI over the 4th of July weekend. What's happenin there during that time of year with the King, da Chinook? Always wanted to catch one of those beasts.

[Sgt. Rock]

Cool City Carters out of Two Rivers has package deals with motel and fishing. Google it to get to web site

[MJR]

Thanks for all of the info, looking on the web it appears to be endless amount of charters to go out with.

I have a couple more general questions.

Does your trip get canceled often due to weather or do you pretty much ride it out?

I am thinking of doing the package deal with the hotel and charter fishing as I am assuming that would be the easiest and probably cheapest.

Someone was saying that the charter boats were coming in at 9am. Does that mean that once you get your limit you are done or can you continue to fish and just release them?

Sounds like a lot of people go during July, would you say that would be the best month or just the best weather. Also do you get difft fish in difft months or is it pretty much the same all year.

Thanks again.

[Catfish John]

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Does your trip get canceled often due to weather or do you pretty much ride it out?

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Occasionally, but not often.

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I am thinking of doing the package deal with the hotel and charter fishing as I am assuming that would be the easiest and probably cheapest.

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Probably cheapest. Easiest for sure.

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Someone was saying that the charter boats were coming in at 9am. Does that mean that once you get your limit you are done or can you continue to fish and just release them?

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Given the fight salmon put-up and the speeds the boat maintains during the fight, most hook-ups are lethal. No C & R.

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Sounds like a lot of people go during July, would you say that would be the best month or just the best weather. Also do you get difft fish in difft months or is it pretty much the same all year.

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The summer months = warmer water = more active fish. The fish can be caught year round but better fishing starts after July 4th into mid-late August.

[Tripleplay]

Since your post says this is a boys trip this information may not be totally relevant, but in the past I've been in a couple of different groups that have brought their own boats over to Door County in Wisconsin. Honestly haven't been there in at least 5-6 years so can't speak to the fishing versus Algoma or Sheboygun.

Best part about Door County in my honest opinion is you can make it a family thing since the ladies can go shopping for crafts, antiques, etc.. I never felt bad about being out on the water when I knew she was staying busy and entertained. One of those kind of tradeoffs that means I got to fish!

[fishwidow]

You can catch fish anytime, but our best luck has been July. In my experience, the package deal with lodging has worked better than an independent operator. I was with one out of Two Rivers who only wanted to drive the boat, smoke, and ask for tips. The place where we go always seems to try hard to keep us on fish.

One last thing--take some heavy duty insect repellant and wear long pants. The flies out there are all teeth.

[federline]

MJR - thanks for starting this thread, you aren't the only one benefitting.

Mr. Horn - do you have a Ludington, MI area charter recommendation? I've found 14 different ones so far...

[Bob Horn]

I don`t but Ludington has an awesome fishery. I don`t think you can go wrong with anyone up there. There is a marina/tackle shop there with the name of Charlies or Franks. I would call the chamber of commerce and they can tell you the name of the place. I was up that way(not fishing ) and this place seemed to be the place that a lot of people went to. If you can`t find it let me know and I will try to help you out some more.

[Bob Horn]

I just want to add that if you want to fish Illinois or southern Wisconsin I can give you a couple of captains. There`s good fishing here to.

[setterguy]

MJR- please send another email, yours went into my junk folder and got deleted. I have the info for you..He owns Predator charters and will be at the sportshow. Once you limit out you are done fishing. There is really no catch and release with those big fish. Once in a while you will get weather that just won't allow you to fish, but in my 7-8 years of fishing the lake I think there were only 2-3 times that we didn't go out due to wind. The time of year really depends on what you want to fish for. Early season you can go and catch some big browns, then during mid summer the salmon and trout fishing heats up, then come fall the rainbow fishing can really be a blast...they are like acrobats when hooked.

[email protected]

[planenut]

A word of caution when booking your charter. The price you pay is for the boat rental & gas. Dont forget the tips. Usually 25% of the charter price to the firstmate and 10-15% for the captain, per person. That is if the charter dose a good job. Ask abought tipping when booking that trip saves alot of headaches.

I go off the breakwaters in kewanee & two rivers.

[MJR]

Thanks for all of your input, I ended up booking with Haasch for the first weekend in Aug.