/filters:format(jpeg,png)/fit-in/300x300/guide_websites/87679/images/image26.png)
/filters:format(jpeg,png)/fit-in/237x80/guide_websites/87679/images/image26.png)
/users/06c9915d-bbec-4951-95c5-c62435e1961a/ratecard/milwaukee-ml0i6tai.jpg)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F06c9915d-bbec-4951-95c5-c62435e1961a%2Fratecard%2Fmilwaukee-ml0i6tai.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F06c9915d-bbec-4951-95c5-c62435e1961a%2Fimages%2Flargemouth-bass-peoria-3068.jpeg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F06c9915d-bbec-4951-95c5-c62435e1961a%2Fimages%2Faqpxflrmrfpocy29b8l-_6tegnmoevsksebwi3n8k_k9mm1pf0ogwxr-4vwckfftwm6ibbv4hevtg7gjusttvxtrlkht2f4lfpld3dgiig1.mp4&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F06c9915d-bbec-4951-95c5-c62435e1961a%2Fimages%2Fanglers-great-fishing-adventure-az-2655.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F06c9915d-bbec-4951-95c5-c62435e1961a%2Fimages%2Ftrophy-largemouth-bass-az-2789.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F06c9915d-bbec-4951-95c5-c62435e1961a%2Fimages%2Ffishing-adventure-arizona-2753.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F06c9915d-bbec-4951-95c5-c62435e1961a%2Fimages%2Ffishing-adventure-az-2720.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F06c9915d-bbec-4951-95c5-c62435e1961a%2Fimages%2Flake-trout-fishing-arizona-2600.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F06c9915d-bbec-4951-95c5-c62435e1961a%2Fimages%2Fpink-salmon-arizona-fishing-2791.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F06c9915d-bbec-4951-95c5-c62435e1961a%2Fimages%2Fanglers-rainbow-trout-peoria-2485.jpg&w=256&q=75)
%2F300x300%2Fusers%2F06c9915d-bbec-4951-95c5-c62435e1961a%2Fimages%2Fangler-fishing-arizona-2771.jpg&w=256&q=75)
Milwaukee Lake Fishing Half Day Reddy Guide
ArizonaWhat you will be catching:
Brown Trout
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
Steelhead Trout
- Join Captain John Reddy for a 6-hour private fishing trip on Lake Michigan, targeting brown trout, Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, lake trout, and steelhead. This August-through-March adventure launches from Milwaukee Harbor, Racine, Port Washington, or Kenosha, giving you access to both offshore and nearshore fishing grounds. Captain John's 18' Alumacraft comes loaded with premium electronics including Humminbird units with MEGA 360, Garmin LiveScope, and a Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor. Whether you're casting, trolling, or jigging, you'll get hands-on instruction and local knowledge that works for beginners and experienced anglers alike. All fishing gear is provided
- just bring your Wisconsin license with Great Lakes trout stamp.
Trip Pricing and Availabilities:
Trip pricing information is temporarily unavailable.
Lake Michigan Salmon & Trout Fishing Charter
Picture this: you're out on Lake Michigan with Captain John Reddy, targeting some of the best salmon and trout fishing the Great Lakes has to offer. This isn't your typical crowded charter boat experience – it's just you and the captain on his updated 18' Alumacraft, hitting proven spots around Milwaukee Harbor, Racine, Port Washington, and Kenosha. From August through March, when the open water allows, you'll have six solid hours to chase brown trout, Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, lake trout, and steelhead. Whether you're a weekend warrior or completely new to the game, Captain John's got the local knowledge and patience to make sure you have a productive day on the water.
What to Expect on the Water
Captain John runs a tight ship with his 18' Alumacraft that's loaded with the kind of electronics that make finding fish look easy. We're talking dual Humminbird 12" Helix units with Down Imaging, Side Imaging, and MEGA 360 capabilities, plus Garmin ECHOMAP units with Panoptix LiveScope. That LiveScope technology is a game-changer – you can literally watch fish react to your presentation in real-time. The boat's also equipped with a Minn Kota Ultrex Quest trolling motor with Spot-Lock, which means we can hold position perfectly over structure or work a specific area without constantly adjusting. The live bait well keeps everything fresh, and the modern GPS system ensures we're hitting the most productive spots based on current conditions. This is a private trip, so there's no rushing or dealing with other anglers – just focused fishing time where Captain John can adjust tactics based on what's working that day.
Techniques You'll Master
Lake Michigan fishing is all about adapting to conditions and fish behavior, which changes throughout the season. We'll be casting, trolling, and jigging depending on where the fish are holding and what they're feeding on. Early season often means working shallow water near harbors and river mouths where baitfish are concentrated. As the season progresses, we might head to deeper offshore structures or work the thermocline where temperature breaks attract feeding fish. Captain John will walk you through everything – from reading the electronics to understanding why certain lures work better at different depths and times. The boat's advanced trolling systems let us run multiple lines at precise speeds and depths, maximizing our chances while teaching you the nuances of Great Lakes fishing. Don't worry about bringing gear – everything you need is provided, though you will need a Wisconsin fishing license and Great Lakes trout stamp before we head out.
Top Catches This Season
Coho salmon are absolute rockets when they hit your line, typically running 5-12 pounds and known for their acrobatic fights that'll test your drag system. These silver bullets are most active in the cooler months, often found in 40-80 feet of water chasing alewives and smelt. What makes Cohos special is their unpredictability – they might crush a spoon trolled near the surface or slam a jig worked through the water column. Steelhead trout, which are rainbow trout that spend their adult lives in the lake, are arguably the hardest fighting fish in these waters. These chrome-sided beauties average 6-15 pounds and are famous for their long runs and aerial displays. Fall through early spring is prime time for steelhead, especially around river mouths where they stage before spawning runs. Chinook salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan, with mature fish reaching 15-30+ pounds. These bruisers prefer deeper, cooler water and put up bulldogging fights that'll make your arms burn. August through October is peak season for Chinooks, when they're feeding heavily before their spawning runs. Brown trout are the craftiest of the bunch, often requiring finesse presentations and light line. These golden-sided fighters average 3-12 pounds but can grow much larger, and they're notorious for following lures without committing. Fall is prime brown trout time, when they move shallow to feed before winter.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
Captain John's approach sets this charter apart from the pack. Instead of running a cattle boat operation, he focuses on quality instruction and adapting to what you want to learn. Maybe you're interested in mastering downrigger techniques for deep-water salmon, or perhaps you want to understand how to read fish on electronics. The boat's cutting-edge LiveScope technology gives you a front-row seat to fish behavior that most anglers never get to see. You'll watch salmon suspend at specific depths, see how they react to different lure presentations, and understand why certain spots consistently hold fish. The seasonal fishing around these four ports keeps things interesting – Milwaukee Harbor offers excellent structure fishing, Racine provides deep-water access, Port Washington has consistent salmon action, and Kenosha's diverse bottom composition attracts multiple species. Each location has its own personality and productive patterns, which Captain John has dialed in through years of experience. The fact that this runs from August through March means you're fishing when most other charters have packed it in for the season, often resulting in less pressure and more cooperative fish.
Plan Your Next Adventure
This half-day Lake Michigan fishing experience delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for – quality time on productive water with an experienced captain who knows these fish and these waters inside and out. Six hours gives you enough time to try different techniques, work multiple spots, and really understand what makes Great Lakes fishing so addictive. The boat's modern electronics and equipment mean you're fishing efficiently rather than just hoping for the best. Captain John's instruction style works whether you're a complete beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced angler wanting to fine-tune your Great Lakes game. With the season running August through March, you can plan trips during some of the most productive periods when fish are actively feeding and staging near these harbors. Don't let another season slip by – book your spot with Reddy Guide Service and discover why Lake Michigan's salmon
Learn more about the species
Brown Trout
Brown trout are the smartest fish swimming in Lake Michigan, and that's what makes them so rewarding to catch. These golden-brown beauties with black spots typically run 8-24 inches and 1-9 pounds, though the lake holds some true giants that can surprise you. They're structure lovers - you'll find them around piers, breakwalls, and drop-offs, usually in 20-80 feet of water. Fall is prime time when they feed aggressively at night, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. Browns are famous for their wariness and fighting ability once hooked. They'll use every trick - diving for cover, making sudden direction changes, and testing your drag. The meat is mild and sweet, perfect for the dinner table. Here's what I've learned over the years: browns are most active in low light conditions. Fish early morning, evening, or overcast days. When trolling, slow down your presentation - browns like to inspect their food before committing, unlike the aggressive salmon.
Chinook Salmon
Chinook salmon are the kings of Lake Michigan - the biggest, strongest fish we target out here. These silver-sided powerhouses with black spots average 15-20 pounds, but 30+ pounders show up every season to bend rods and test tackle. They prefer deeper, cooler water, usually 60-150 feet down, following the thermocline and baitfish. Late summer through fall is peak season when they're bulked up and feeding hard before spawning. What makes kings special is their brute strength - they'll peel line off your reel like no other freshwater fish. No fancy jumps, just raw power and bulldogging runs that can last several minutes. The reddish-pink meat is outstanding eating, rich and flaky. Since chinooks are light-sensitive, they stay deep during bright days. Here's the key: use downriggers to get your lures down to where they're holding, and don't be afraid to fish 100+ feet deep when the sun's high. Early morning and evening, they'll come up to feed.
Coho Salmon
Coho salmon, also called "silvers," are some of the most acrobatic fish you'll hook in Lake Michigan. These chrome-sided beauties typically run 8-12 pounds and 12-30 inches, though we've seen some real bruisers push higher numbers. They love the cooler waters and can be found anywhere from 20 to 100+ feet deep, often following baitfish schools. August through October is prime time when they're staging for their spawning runs - that's when they fight the hardest and jump the most. What makes cohos special is their spectacular aerial show once hooked. They'll clear the water multiple times, making for some great photos and heart-pounding action. The meat is excellent too - bright orange and rich flavor that's perfect for the grill. Here's a local tip: when you see them jumping on the surface, they're often feeding shallow. Switch to a smaller spoon and work the top 30 feet of water column for explosive strikes.
Steelhead Trout
Steelhead are Lake Michigan's silver bullets - streamlined, powerful fish that can turn a routine day into something memorable. These lake-run rainbows average 24 inches but can stretch past 30, with chrome sides and black spots that make them easy to identify. They roam open water but often cruise structure breaks and thermal bars where currents meet. Fall through early spring gives you the best shot at them, especially when water temps drop and they're feeding aggressively. What sets steelhead apart is their stamina - they'll make long, blistering runs that test your drag and nerves. Unlike their river cousins, lake steelhead stay bright silver and fight clean. The meat is firm and flaky, great on the table. They're smart fish that can be picky about presentations. My go-to trick is running spoons just above the thermocline early morning or late afternoon - that's when they're most active and less spooky about boat noise.
About the Alumacraft 18'
%2F%2Fusers%2F06c9915d-bbec-4951-95c5-c62435e1961a%2Fvehicle_picture%2Fb2-ml0hbysc.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 5
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 28
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 90