Chicago Charter Fishing for Salmon and Trout on Lake Michigan from
Waukegan Illinois for the Chicago, Waukegan and Winthrop Harbor areas
Welcome and thanks for visiting Windycitysalmon.com,serving the Chicago and southern Wisconsin area with world class Salmon and Trout charter fishing.The surrounding waters off Waukegan Harbor offer the best Salmon and Trout fishing available on Lake Michigan for you to enjoy an unsurpassed charter fishing experience all season long, right in Chicago's own back yard. Because of Waukegan Harbor's close proximity to many near-shore and off-shore structures as well as its geographic latitude - it's not too far north and not too far south - superb and consistent salmon and trout fishing is available from Spring thru Fall.
The vessel ? Independence ? is a 34-foot Tiara. A custom equipped and fully outfitted charter fishing boat designed exclusively for Great Lakes Salmon and Trout fishing. Windycitysalmon is a f ull-time, US Coast Guard Licensed and insured professional charter fishing operation. At the helm and on the fishing deck of the Independence, Captain Rick Bentley is on the water nearly every single day during the fishing season, ensuring an intense effort at putting his customers on the fish. The Independence is maintained to shipshape cleanliness and complies with all state and federal safety regulations.
The boat is outfitted with the best rods and reels you will find on any charter fishing operation on Lake Michigan. There is no experience required and Captain Rick will employ and manage the full spread of rods in an expert manner for your crew. All YOU have to do is haul in the fish and enjoy being out on the lake! For many of our customers – beginners or seasoned anglers – these are the largest fish they will ever catch! Windycitysalmon offers 5, 6, and 8 hour morning or afternoon fishing charters for your private group of up to 6 people. Smaller groups of 2 & 3 people can be accommodated at discounted prices. Additional vessels can also be arranged for groups larger than 6 people. In addition, multiple fishing charter packages with overnight stays are available for people who are not from the Chicago area and are seeking a more comprehensive fishing vacation.Please visit the Types of Charters and Rates page to learn which charters Capt Rick recommends depending on the season.
** 2017 WEEKDAY RATE SPECIALS **
*$190/person for a 2-person group, 5-hour charter Monday thru Thursday*
*$155/person for a 3-person group, 5-hour charter Monday thru Thursday*
Each season Captain Rick is happy to welcome back a large volume of repeat customers from Chicago, nationwide and abroad that became hooked after their first time charter fishing with him. He is confident you will thoroughly enjoy your experience and invites you to call or email any time with further questions or to reserve an upcoming date
*Go charter fishing with Capt Rick for a far more unique and memorable, charter fishing experience*
Featuring top-of-the-line gear – Penn International 975, Shimano Tekota, & Daiwa Saltist reels/Shakespeare Ugly Stik & Shimano Talora rods – these are the best, highest quality reels & rods you will find on any charter boat on Lake Michigan
Depending on the time of season, Capt Rick will take you fishing for Chinook (King) and Coho Salmon as well as Steelhead (Rainbow), Brown, and Lake Trout. Catches of a dozen fish, all the way up to limit hauls of 20-30 fish a charter are common.
Depending on the species, we will generally catch salmon and trout in the 3-20lb+ range. It is not uncommon to catch even larger, monster trophy fish as well. On most days the value of your wild salmon and trout fillets will often exceed the actual cost of your charter. After complimentary cleaning of the catch at dockside, Captain Rick will also furnish you with delicious, personally tested, take-home recipes to easily prepare your catch for the table, further extending your enjoyment of this world class fishery. And remember that these are wild fish that swim in the icy and crystal clear waters of Lake Michigan and not the farm-raised versions you find in most stores that have far higher fat and PCB content.
Please navigate through the website to find out more about Captain Rick , the vessel & equipment , seasons , rates & types of charters, and what to bring & expect on our Lake Michigan salmon & trout fishing charters. Also click on the ‘Salmon and Trout Charter Fishing’ banner, at the top of each page, to learn more about the types of fish we catch, when to catch them, their respective state record weights and Windycitysalmon’s heaviest of each species. Also check back often to read updated news in the fishing reports section.
Please feel free to call, text or email Captain Rick for further questions about available dates or to just check in to see how fishing is. Captain Rick will be happy to discuss how conditions are at any time of the day, even when he’s on the water.