Trophy Specialists Fishing Charters Homepage
Michigan Sportfishing:
Lake Erie
Walleye Charters
(Monroe,
Toledo and
Port Clinton)
March/April/May
Lake Huron
Brown Trout, Lake Trout, King Salmon, Pink Salmon, Steelhead, Atlantic Salmon
Mixed-bag Charters
(Rogers City
Presque Isle)
May/June/July
Saginaw Bay Walleye Charters
(Au Gres)
June/July
Lake Michigan
Salmon Charters
(Manistee)
August
Lake Huron
King Salmon Charters
(Rogers City)
July/August/September
Charter Fishing
Information
If you like a mixed bag fishery where you can catch a half dozen different species of sportfish, then Rogers City during spring and early summer is for you. Here is what we target at different times of that period:
May - Mainly browns, Atlantic salmon and lake trout
June - Mainly steelhead and lake trout
Early July - Mainly steelhead with some king salmon, coho salmon, pink salmon,
Atlantic salmon and lake trout
Late July - Mainly king salmon with some steelhead, pink salmon, Atlantic
salmon and lake trout
August and Sept. - Mainly adult king salmon, typically the biggest kings
in Michigan during late summer
For the past five years, Rogers City has ranked as one of the top spring brown trout ports in Michigan, according to DNR creel censuses and charter boat surveys. The northern Lake Huron waters from Presque Isle to Rogers City are also home to some of the best lake trout fishing in the region. To top it off, Huron's king, steelhead and Atlantic salmon are also abundant during late spring and early summer. Last year large Atlantic salmon were caught on every May trip. Trophy Specialists will be mainly running charters based from Rogers City during this period, however the virtually unfished waters of nearby Hammond Bay and scenic Presque Isle will also be targeted on some trips as well. Northeastern Michigan, known as "the Sunrise Side," is a laid back region of the state, a perfect destination for a fishing vacation. Lodging rates are a real bargain making the trip very affordable and the lack of crowds are certainly a welcome change. To help you land the big ones, Trophy Specialists has over 30 years of hard core experience catching Michigan's Great Lakes salmon and trout. In fact, browns are one of our specialties. The northern Lake Huron brown fishery has come on strong in recent years. With a mixture of Seeforellen and Rose Lake strain browns stocked actually in the area by the hundreds of thousands, and the states only cormorant free harbor (they are scared away by the Hammond Bay Area Anglers Association), Rogers City's browns are very abundant with lots of big ones to test your mettle. During May and June, the area also serves up possibly Michigan's best, near-shore lake trout fishing allowing anglers to continue fishing even after limits of browns have been taken, which is typical during good conditions. The DNR and the Feds have been stocking a Seneca strain of lakers for the past nine years and the northern Lake Huron region has received millions of fingerlings, the lions share of the Great Lake's laker stocking effort. These Senecas are lamprey resistant and are also some of the best eating fish swimming in the Great Lakes; in fact they are much better than any salmon. May brown trout fishing typically takes place in very shallow water along the scenic shoreline. If you've never viewed the northern Lake Huron shoreline before, it can only be described as breathtaking with eagles, loons, deer and even bears being seen regularly. We typically troll using spoons and stickbaits behind planer boards close to shore. Kings, steelhead, pink salmon and Atlantic salmon also show up in decent numbers during June and July adding further excitement to these spring and early summer trips. In fact, the off-shore fishing for scum line steelhead is rated even better than what is found on Lake Michigan. During 2005, we limited out on every offshore trip where we targeted steelhead during June and July. We typically take a mixed bag of steelhead, king salmon, coho salmon, atlantic salmon, pink salmon and laker trout. In fact last year we did manage to take all six different species on one trip. During mid to late July, king salmon stack up along the shelf about one mile from shore creating a world class chinook fishery. These fish are taken using downrigger presentations along with Dipsy Divers, high-lines and other rigs. These May, June and July trips are awesome and rank as the captain's favorite Michigan fishery.
Meeting Place - The meeting place is at the the Rogers City Boat Launch. To get there proceed to the intersection of U.S. 23 and M68 and turn north/east on M68 (Erie Street). Take Erie Street to N. Lake Street and turn left heading north/west 1 1/2 blocks to and turn right heading north/east into the entrance to the marina and boat launch. We will meet customers near the fish cleaning station, which is at the entrance on the opposite end of the parking lot from the boat launch. The Trophy Specialist boat is a big, red, Lund Barron with a white top pulled by a black, regular cab Chevy Silverado 4X4.
Rogers City Information and Lodging - Presque Isle County has more than 300 miles of streams, nearly 100 inland lakes, and 72 miles of beautiful Lake Huron shoreline. There are over 100,000 acres of public land in the county with three lighthouses to view. Rogers City has a rich nautical heritage complete with a nautical festival during early August. Rogers City has a population of about 4,000 and is located about 240-miles north of Detroit or Grand Rapids. If you're planning on flying in, it is suggested that you fly into Alpena located about 30-miles south of Rogers City. It may be possible to obtain a better airfare by flying into Saginaw, Grand Rapids, or Detroit and then driving north. From all of the above airports, a vehicle can be rented and driven to Rogers City. Trophy Specialist Fishing Charters recommends the Driftwood Motel, 540 West Third St. (Bus Rt. 23), Rogers City, MI 49779, 989- 734-4777, 800-438-0493. The Driftwood Motel offers a charter special. You must mention that you are fishing with Trophy Specialists Fishing Charters to receive the discount rate. The Driftwood is conveniently located right on Lake Huron very close to the boat launch. Amenities include A/C, balconies overlooking the lake, swimming beach, restaurant/lounge, indoor pool and spa, cable TV and in-room coffee. They also have a free breakfast bar. As part of the charter special, they have free delivery of a continental breakfast to your room the night before your fishing trip. There are many restaurants, bars and shops in Rogers City to satisfy all budgets and tastes.
Licensing - Customers will be responsible for obtaining the proper Michigan fishing license prior to the prescribed meeting time. Michigan offers a one-day license for a nominal fee. You will either need a one-day license or an all-species license. Youths under 17 do not need a fishing license. MI licenses are available at a two bait shops located on U.S. 23 in Rogers City; both are not open late in the evening or early in the morning. You can also purchase license on the Internet at: Buy Fishing Licenses On-line.
Bring Along - your fishing license, proper attire (warm boots and cloths), rain gear, brimmed hat, sunscreen, camera, sun-glasses, food and beverages. Drinking alcoholic beverages is allowed on board the boat, but only in moderation. Only small coolers that can fit under the seats are allowed on the boat. Basically, if your cooler is too large to be allowed on an airliner as carry-on baggage, then it shouldn't go on the boat either. A larger cooler should also be available off the boat for transporting your catch home. If you're flying into Michigan, be sure to check with your airline for any rules pertaining to transporting fish. To prevent spills and stains, coffee can only be consumed on the boat in a spill resistant container. Michigan law states that all youths under 16 year old must where a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times on the water. In addition, Trophy Specialist's encourages everyone to wear a PFD when the boat is underway and above trolling speeds. Trophy Specialists will make available comfortable life vests in various standard adult sizes (small to X-large) along with the required type III - PFDs. It is required that parties with children or adults smaller or larger than standard adult sizes (30" to 50" chest) bring their own Coast Guard approved PFDs.
Seasickness Precautions - If you're prone to motion sickness, standard over-the-counter medications such as Dramamine might be a good idea. When taken as directed at least one hour prior to the scheduled departure time, those nasty symptoms can usually be controlled. If you've suffered from sea-sickness in the past or have never been exposed to big water fishing, it's recommended that acidic or alcoholic beverages be avoided and eating in moderation both before and during the trip is also a good idea.
Business Policies, Terms and Conditions of Service
For driving directions to the Rogers City municipal boat launch next to the city marina, click ===> HERE
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