We start regularly catching Chinook "King" salmon in late June but by July 4th we are well into the King season. The best time to target Chinook salmon on Lake Michigan is from July 4th through the 3rd week of August. This is when we boat our most Chinook. The Coho salmon bite does get more numbers of fish caught but the Chinook bite gets the size. Mature Chinooks run between 12 and 20 pounds but some Kings get to 30 plus pounds. This is the best fighting fish on Lake Michigan and Milwaukee is a great port to target these salmon. We are usually fishing in 50 to 150 feet of water for Chinook. We use a variety of baits to catch them from spoons, plugs, meat rigs and our favorite the flasher & fly combo. Chinook like 42 to 59 degree water during the summer. When we get to late August and early September mature Chinook salmon begin to stage for spawning and return back to the rivers they were stocked in. At this time of the season we are fishing in and around the Milwaukee harbor and river. This is also a great time to pull a really big Chinook. The Chinooks we catch at this time have a potential to be big and really put up a great fight. The run time is almost nothing because we set lines less than 10 minutes after leaving the dock for pre spawn Chinook. The King salmon is true to its and always a great fight.
When these pre spawning fish are not set up we will head out on the lake to catch Lake trout, Steelhead and smaller salmon. Again water temperature will determine where we fish whether it is offshore or in the shallows.
So this time of season we will combat fishing big Kings near the harbor or taking on some great trout fishing in the lake. It is a great way to spend a day before a football game!
Wisconsin is known for its fun activities in early-mid summer, but the excitement doesn’t stop when the temperatures start to drop! You can still have a great time before, during and after fishing for huge salmon and trout.
September is the time to celebrate Oktoberfest at Heidelberg Parkin Milwaukee County. You’ll find yourself surrounded by authentic German culture from the food and beer to the music and dancing. Oktoberfest is a great time for kids and adults of all ages.
September marks the end of the Brewer season except when we are running at the playoffs in October! Catch a quick game before or after your fishing trip! Many local restaurants like Saz’s, Milwaukee Brat Haus, O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Milwaukee Steakhouse offer shuttling to and from Miller Park Stadium, so you don’t have to fight the crowds and worry about where to park.
If you’re more of a football fan than a baseball fan, Madison or Green Bay are only a short 1.5 hour drive from Milwaukee. Head over to Camp Randall Stadium or Lambeau Field and enjoy Wisconsin football at its best with the Wisconsin Badgers or Green Bay Packers against your favorite team!!
Are you visiting from Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, or Texas? Silver King Charters recommends the Park East Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. After a long day of salmon and trout fishing, you’ll want to kick back and relax. You can even book one of their Jacuzzi suites for ultimate relaxation.
No matter where you’re coming from – if you’re local to Milwaukee or want to make a weekend trip from Minneapolis, Dubuque, Peoria, or Lafayette, you’re sure to have a great time.
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