Where We Fish

From March through early May, most of the fishing is done from a few yards to one mile offshore. Later in May and on into the summer months, better fishing is available offshore, perhaps in Indiana, but at times the fish will be located north of the Indiana state line in either the Illinois or Michigan waters. All trips will originate from one of Indiana's fine marinas. Indiana fishing licenses are available on the boat. Illinois and Michigan licenses are available online only and can be purchased at TakeMeFishing.org.

Since the Brother Nature is trailered when not in the water, where to fish is based on how the fish are biting and also the weather conditions. For instance, when boats can't get out at Portage because of a northwest wind, boats can fish along the industrial breakwalls in Lake County in waves less than 1 foot high. If the Skamanias are biting at Portage, that's where we'll go fishing!

I will contact you in advance of the trip to give simple directions to the meeting place.

Most of the spring trips will originate from the East Chicago Marina (formerly called Pastrick Marina) in Lake County. The East Chicago Marina is the easiest marina in Indiana to drive to because it has a multi-lane highway leading to it. There is no "city" driving or hard-to-see landmarks. In fact, there's a special exit from the expressway right to the marina.

Most summer trips and fall trips will originate from the Portage Public Marina (now called Sammie Maletta Marina), a few block north of Interstate 94 and close to the Bass Pro Shop store.

The Boat

Capt. Mike Schoonveld pioneered "small boat" charter fishing on the Great Lakes more than 20 years ago and still offers the ultimate in Great Lakes fishing excitement on one of Indiana's smallest licensed charter fishing boats. When it comes to fishing the Great Lakes, size does matter and at 21ft, Brother Nature is perfectly sized for small groups. Capt. Mike limits the passenger size to 4 or fewer anglers and sets his prices to make outings affordable even when one or two anglers are aboard.

The Fish

Here's What We Catch

Lake Michigan offers fishing for 5 species of salmon and trout. There are lake trout, brown trout, steelhead (rainbow trout), as well as coho and king salmon. You never know what is going to bite at times, although it's usually predictable depending when and where we are fishing and the lures being used.

In March, fast fishing for coho is the rule. Limit catches (5 fish per person per day) are common and many times 2 or 3 fish are being played at the same time. Brown trout and steelhead are frequently caught as well.

Cohos remain the mainstay in April and May along with browns and steelies - but king salmon get active as the water warms. Cohos can be terrific in June and that's when Indiana's Skamania steelhead start biting near shore.

Skamania fishing continues through the summer and in September and October, when the mature kings come in to spawn. Summer and fall fishing isn't the break-neck action of the spring, but the fish are trophy sized. It doesn't take many 12 to 16 pound steelhead or 20 to 25 pound kings to make a trip worthwhile!

Area Hotels

Ramada Inn & Conference Center

219-803-1547
4141 S. Calumet Ave
Hammond, IN 46320

This is the most convenient hotel for fishermen heading for Hammond Marina, but not so convenient to the marinas at East Chicago, Portage, or Michigan City.

However, this is the closest Indiana hotel to downtown Chicago if side trips are planned.
The Ramada has all the usual amenities including on-site dining, in-house bar, and an outoor pool

$85.60 per night
Ask for the CHARTERFISH DISCOUNT

Comfort Inn

219-845-4678
7813 Indianapolis Blvd.
Hammond, IN 46324

The Comfort Inn is located about 10 minutes from the Chicago (Pastrick) Marina, about 15 minutes from the Hammond Marina, and less than 20 minutes from the Portage Public Marina.

It's just across the street from the Cabela's Hammond store, Walmart, and close to several restaurants.

$119.00 per night
Ask for the CHARTER DISCOUNT

Best Western Plus

219-734-6727
6200 Melton Road
Portage, IN 46368

This hotel is located off of I-94 just across the highway from the Portage Public Marina, less than 20 minutes to the East Chicago Marina and about 30 minutes to the Michigan City Marina.

It's close to a number of fast-food, chain, and independent restaurants, gas stations, and convenience stores. The Bass Pro Shops, Portage store is at this interchange and it's close to Portage Lakefront Park with shore fishing locations and a Lake Michigan beach.
The hotel has a pool, fitness rooms, free breakfast, and other amenities.

Standard (1 bed) $99.00
King Suite (2 beds) $109.00
Queen Suite (3 beds) $119.00
Ask for the FISHERMAN'S RATE

Fishing Calendar

Lake Michigan Fishing Calendar

"When is the best time to come?" is the most frequently asked question I get. As you can see from the calendar above, there's no one answer to the question. There is excellent fishing for one species or more every month of the season. In this calendar, EXCELLENT means that's the species of fish we will likely be targeting. GOOD means catching some of this species is likely on every trip. FAIR means catching one or more fish of this species could happen, but there's no way to predict if one will bite. POOR means it's unlikely under normal circumstances to boat one of these.

BUT ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN - it's all part of the adventure!

FAQ

Q: What's the best time to come?
A: My regular customers have different "favorite" times to come with me. March and April usually offer steady action on cohos and browns around 3 pounds. The downside is chilly temperatures on the lake. Though limits are possible all season long, as the lake and weather warms, expect fewer, but larger fish. In July and August, expect to be fishing 10 to 15 miles offshore.

Q: How far in advance should reservations be made?
A: Call me the night before you want to fish and if I'm available, we'll go. However, if there's a particular date or time you are interested in going, the farther in advance you call, the better chance of it being available.

Q: What kind of fish will we catch?
A: There are five species of fish targeted - coho and king (chinook) salmon, steelhead, brown trout, and lake trout. Any can be caught any day. Some days all are caught.

Q: Do you guarantee we'll catch fish?
A: I don't make any money-back or reduced-rate guarantees. I do guarantee I'll work hard and do my experienced best to put you on as many fish as possible. There are many, many days each season when limits are caught. Some seasons we are never skunked, most seasons catching nothing is very rare.

Q: From what marina do you fish?
A: Since I trailer the Brother Nature to the lake each day, I move from marina to marina. In the spring I usually fish out of either the Hammond Marina or East Chicago Marina, a.k.a. Pastrick Marina. In the summer I usually fish out of the Portage Public Marina. It depends somewhat on the weather, mostly on the location of the best area to catch fish.


Q: What time of day do you start fishing?
A: I usually like to be leaving the marina just as the sun is rising. In September we will head out before dawn because spawning run kings are low-light biters.

Q: Do you run afternoon trips?
A: I will schedule an afternoon trip on weekdays. On weekends, during much of the season, the marinas, parking areas, and boat ramps are very congested in the afternoons and evening. Remember, mornings often start out calm with increasing wind speed and wave height as the day progresses. In the summer, most thunderstorms show up in late afternoon or evening.

Q: Do you provide everything?
A: Just about. I provide tackle, fish cooler, life-jackets, and other safety gear. All you need to bring is your favorite snacks and beverages, plus clothing appropriate for the weather predicted.

Q: Will you clean our fish?
A: I will filet all the fish for you and package them in gallon-sized ziplocks. You can repackage into meal-sized packets at home. Fish cleaning is included at no extra charge. I usually clean the fish on the boat near the end of the trip so when we get back to the dock, everyone can be on their way.

Q: What about fishing licenses?
A: As a convenience, I sell single day fishing licenses for Indiana. Illinois and Michigan sell single-day and season licenses online. Go to TakeMeFishing.org  to purchase.


Q: How about gratuities?
A: On charter boats with a mate or crew-person, tipping is expected. On operations like mine, tipping is optional, as is the amount. I don't work for tips, but I appreciate them. Usually, I give the tip to my wife for putting up with me and washing my smelly fishing clothes.

Q: What about sea-sickness?
A: It happens. in general the over-the-counter meds do a great job. My advice is to take one the night before and one an hour or so before you get on the boat. Bring another dose with you, but you probably won't need it. Scopalamine patches, available by prescription, work even better. Some get better as the day progresses, others worse. I will cut a trip short on request. That happens very infrequently.

Q: Is there a bathroom on the boat?
A: I do carry a Porta-Potty. The fishermen on board usually get by with a pee-bucket. Amazingly (to me), the fisher-ladies usually hold it all day. I don't have much privacy on the boat. I promise to keep my head turned if anyone needs the porta-potty, I can't promise what your fishing companions will do.