I am looking for some advice and help planning a fishing trip with my two sons age 10, and 13, and my father to lake Michigan. Wondering what time of year would be the best also who would be a good charter to go out with. We are looking for both size and numbers of fish....a guy can hope anyway right. Thanks all!

Go to Michigansportsman.com they have lots of info on there

My family went with the outfit below about 4 years ago now. The fishing conditions were not ideal that day, there had been a gigantic storm a couple of days earlier that roiled the waters, but we did manage to bring home around 7-9 nice salmon and had a great time. I would definitely go with them again and would recommend them to others too. Although we did not get a large quantity of fish that day, we still were able to take home quite a bit of very tasty salmon steaks! Based on radio traffic, etc, no one was killing it that day, we probably had the most success of any boat that we encountered.

Having only done this one time, I am not an expert...but I believe it goes something like this...

May-June - larger numbers, usually Coho's, so smaller size.
July - August - bigger fish, not as many though, usually King's.

I would think even with the smaller sizes, one could get plenty of salmon for the freezer by going earlier in the season, but your best opportunity for larger fish is later in the summer. Good luck!

Kristy Lynn Charters

I got a guy out of the Port of Milwaukee. Easy drive from MN and plenty of hotels and other things to do when not on the water. If you want I can PM you his info.

Kinns Sport Fishing out of Algoma.
They are good. Have a good sized fleet.
Somewhere around the 4th of July is good. He books up fairly early though.

Tweed........That would be great thanks!

my dad is at Port of Racine , he is not a charter , I prefer earlier in the year , more fish , but not as big of fish however , the weather in august and September tend to be windier he gets a lot fewer days on the water in late august and September.

the coho will run up the west side to about Manitawoc then head east it starts early in the spring

you can also fish the rivers in the spring , no boat needed

We went this summer and fished right near mackinaw city. Diabolical fishing was our guide. Guides name was mark! He put us on to a good amount of fish.. Great trip.

where on lake r you going

We were thinking of either going to the Algoma area or Milwaukee area. I am still trying to decide to go either in late may or late august.

I recommend Algoma or Kewaunee, which are due east of Green Bay - on Lake Michigan. July and August are usually the best for salmon and steelhead/lake trout. Of course, this can vary a bit - some weeks very hot, then slows down, etc.

My son keeps his 25' Bayliner in Kewaunee and we fish out of there. My daughter's boyfriend fishes out of Algoma and does very well around there.

In Kewaunee, you may want to call Salmon Harbor, a local Marina. A number of charter boat captains have their boats there during the season.

Thanks for your help guys!

I live right on Lake Michigan. The best time for catching fish is in Aug. Look up Pentwater or Ludington Michigan Charters. Book early or they will be filled.

Sorry I forgot you will be fishing the WI. side of Lake Michigan not the Michigan side.

I own and operate a charter boat out of Holland, Michigan. April/May most boats through out the lake will be fishing for a mix of coho, kings and lake trout. April/May are typically where we see our most numbers and limits of fish. August on the Michigan side is when we catch our largest kings. I'll provide a link to my website below if you would like to check it out. I do highly recommend not going the cheap route because just like anything, you get what you pay for. I'd be happy to answer anymore questions.
Capt. Nick
Reel Talk Sportfishing