2024 Chicagoland Charter Season - It’s a Wrap

2024 Recap

2024 was one of the best fishing seasons we’ve seen in decades. Big coho, King Salmon, and Lake trout were in abundance depending upon the time of year. If you fished with us during the 2024 season we thank you from the bottom of our coolers. If it weren't for you, our valued clients, we would not have experienced what we did this season and we would not have returned to dock with full coolers.

The season started strong in April with big coho in the mix of our regularly sized spring coho. As the coho season endured long into the year we saw coho well over 10 lbs. and caught on weighing in at 18 lbs. As we progressed into July we started catching King Salmon regularly with a few in most every catch. This pattern of large coho and a mix of steelhead and Kings lasted into late August. Once the silver fish (kings, coho, and steelhead become sparse, we switch some of the gear to target  the real King of the lake; the Lake Trout.

Lake trout fishing in our area of Lake Michigan is nothing short of world class. We appreciate those of you who appreciate the lake trout as much as we do. We always try to target some Kings and other silver fish while we trout fish, but the fishery is so strong and ever changing, we often just land Lakers late in the season.

What to expect in 2025

2025 we expect to see a similar pattern of larger fish from the start. The reason for this is the forage base of alewives is tremendous at the current time. We are soon to see some new state records in all species as the fish we are catching are pushing the limits of record quality now. We certainly hope that one of our customers has the opportunity to land the next state record. Until next year, stay safe and healthy. We’d love for you to come fill our coolers again next year. In case you’re wondering, our rates will remain the same for 2025. 

If you’re thinking ahead, a charter fishing trip makes an excellent Christmas gift for the fishing folks in your family. Well, 2024 is a wrap and we look forward to next season. See you next year - The Spendthrift Family!