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You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

About Your Trip

Water Type

Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

About Your Trip

Get ready to experience the thrill of Salmon fishing on the mighty Lake Michigan with Captain Daryl—just a short drive from downtown Chicago, but a world away from the ordinary. Running weekend trips from April through October out of Waukegan Harbor, Captain Daryl offers a front-row seat to some of the best freshwater fishing in the Midwest. With decades of experience and an unbeatable location, he’ll put you on the fish—and fast.

Thanks to Waukegan Harbor’s unique position on the lake, you’ll have quick access to both nearshore and offshore structures that hold fish all season long. Whether you're an early-season angler looking to kick things off with Coho, or you're chasing a late-summer trophy King, there’s always something biting on these trips.

In the spring, it’s all about variety and fast action. April can bring in feisty Coho Salmon along with monster Brown and Lake Trout, especially in nearshore waters. By May and early June, it’s game on for Coho—expect fast-paced action with 3-6lb fish piling into the boat. You'll also have the chance to hook into Chinook (King) Salmon and Lake Trout as the species start to overlap.

Come late June and early July, the fishing really starts to heat up. This is prime time to catch all five of Lake Michigan’s top salmon and trout species in one trip—Chinook, Coho, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, and Steelhead. Whether it’s the drag-screaming runs of a big King or the aerial acrobatics of a Steelhead, this is the most diverse bite of the year.

By late July and August, mature Chinook in the 12–20lb+ class move in strong. This is your shot at a true freshwater trophy. Lake Trout remain plentiful, and some years bring in a bonus run of hard-fighting summer Steelhead. And if you’re lucky, a few late-season Brown Trout may make an appearance as well.

September and October mark a transition to cooler temps and stunning fall colors, but the bite doesn’t slow down. In fact, this is the best time to hook into monster Lake Trout on remote offshore rock reefs that Captain Daryl knows like the back of his hand. It’s also a solid window for non-spawning Kings, plus Brown Trout and Steelhead cruising the cooler waters.

Captain Daryl’s fully equipped boat offers a comfortable and efficient ride to the action, with top-tier trolling gear, GPS and sonar, and all the tackle you’ll need for a successful day on the water. Whether you're a seasoned angler or trying your hand at salmon fishing for the first time, Captain Daryl will guide you every step of the way.

Amenities

Water Type

Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Boat Restroom

This boat has a restroom.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled up to 14 days before the trip.

Fish Cleaning

No cleaning service provided.

Beer

No beer allowed.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Kid Friendly

This trip is not suited for small children.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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Pricing Matrix

	5 hours	6 hours
1 Person	$650.00	$700.00
2 People	$650.00	$700.00
3 People	$650.00	$700.00
4 People	$750.00	$850.00
5 People	$800.00	$950.00

Pay 15% of the price as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.

About Your Guide

Daryl S.

Independent Guide

Comfortable

Intense

Expert Oriented

Talkative

About Your Guide

Daryl S.

Independent Guide

Captain Daryl grew up fishing the ponds and streams around Chicago and started chasing salmon and trout on Lake Michigan by the time he was 10. What began with a small Lund and a longtime friend quickly turned into a lifelong obsession with catching anything that swims.

From the remote backcountry of Canada to the reefs of Key West and the Dry Tortugas, Captain Daryl has fished it all—but he’s most at home right here on Lake Michigan. Running charters out of Chicago, he brings serious passion and strategy to every trip, working hard to put you on salmon and trout in these productive local waters.

A licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain and former fly fishing and hunting guide, Daryl is as comfortable teaching first-timers as he is fine-tuning tactics with seasoned anglers. When he’s not on the lake, he’s either tying flies or chasing game in the off-season—because the outdoors isn’t just what he does, it’s who he is.

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Start Location & Lodging Options

Waukegan, Illinois

Areas Fished

Lake Michigan

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Down East Cruiser
Boat Manufacturer: Tiara
Year Built: 1987
Boat Length: 34'

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Down East Cruiser
Boat Manufacturer: Tiara
Year Built: 1987
Boat Length: 34'
Boat Restroom: Yes
Engine Manufacturer: Mercury Cruiser
Total Horsepower: 700
Number of Engines: 2
Additional Amenities: GPS, Ray Marine Axiom, Fishfinder, Bed, Kitchen, Refrigerator, Multimedia System, Outriggers, Ice Box, Radar

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Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Boat Restroom

This boat has a restroom.

Weather

You won't lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled up to 14 days before the trip.

Fish Cleaning

No cleaning service provided.

Beer

No beer allowed.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Kid Friendly

This trip is not suited for small children.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .

View Full Species Seasonality Chart » View Recent Waukegan Fishing Reports »

Get it while it's HOT!
This species is in play.
You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

Heavy Tackle Fishing
Light Tackle Fishing

Everything Else to Know

All rods, reels, and tackle are included, but we also recommend bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, weather-appropriate clothing, and any gear of your own you want to use on the trip.

You'll need to buy a fishing license before getting out there. Find out more about licenses here.

We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).

Cancel for free up to 14 days before the trip and receive credit back to your account. Cancelling within 14 of the trip will forfeit your deposit to the guide. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.

In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

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First Time Booking with Us?

Captain Experiences is home to thousands of quality, vetted fishing, hunting, and other outdoor sports guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.

We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.

Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!

In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.

Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.

After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.