Lake Michigan Salmon Fishing: Then and Now

Time is a funny thing. Years go by, our bodies change, the world around us changes, but we’re still the same person on the inside… or so it seems. 

Sometimes it takes an experience of returning to a familiar place to realize just how much our mind has evolved over time. I felt this recently while salmon fishing with my husband on Lake Michigan. 

This trip to Sheboygan – a popular Lake Michigan fishing destination and coined “Malibu of the Midwest” – was monumental beyond it being our first multi-night voyage aboard our 1980 Carver Santa Cruz. According to a Facebook memory, it was also 10 years since the first salmon fishing excursion we went on together in 2013. 

Then…

My husband, Brett, has been fishing from Sheboygan for many years. He and his brother, Mike, used their winnings from a Walleye Weekend tournament to buy a 25-foot 1987 Rinker complete with sleeping quarters.

By the time I came around, they had their salmon fishing routine down to a science. When rumor had it the bite was hot – typically in July – they’d pack up the Rinker, recruit some friends, and drive an hour to the Sheboygan harbor. 

Having tagged along on multiple occasions, I can vouch that it would go something like this: 

• Arrive at harbor in early evening
• Fish until dark 
• Return to boat landing to clean fish
• Walk downtown and stay out until bar close
• Sleep in the boat for 2ish hours… or none at all 
• Start fishing again at the morning’s first light

Needless to say, it was as much about the party as it was about catching fish. And that was fine with me. I was happy being along for the ride.  

Now…

Much has changed in a decade – largely in sneaky, gradual ways as we’ve gotten older and as Mike’s family has grown. 

We have our own boat

The most obvious change is the fishing boat itself. The Rinker has since moved on to another family member and in 2020 we bought a trailerable Carver yacht that serves as the new salmon fishing boat. 

Whereas I was a guest on the previous vessel, this one feels more like a home away from home. It will become more and more comfortable as we make cosmetic improvements to the cabin. 

I have more responsibilities

Previously I’d always lend a hand when asked, but with other people aboard it didn’t go much beyond occasionally holding the boat next to a dock or steering while the guys were busy tending to the lines. More often than not, I was sitting back with a beverage taking in the beautiful views.

Now, as First Mate, I’m learning how to help in much more meaningful ways. It was just the two of us on this trip and that means I was at the ready to help Captain Brett with every task or challenge that needed additional eyes or hands. I’m learning to take “mental photos” as picture-perfect scenes slip by before I can get to a camera.

Our standards have changed

Somewhere between our mid-20s and mid-30s, drinking instead of sleeping lost its appeal. And instead of the old days of spending the night on the boat tied up to a random pier or on the trailer, we rented a transient slip at the Sheboygan’s Harbor Centre Marina. We could charge batteries, get fresh drinking water, use bathrooms, shower, and even lounge at the private pool. 

We didn’t take advantage of all the amenities, but it sure felt luxurious to wash my face in a sink at night and to make coffee before heading back fishing at 4 a.m. – minus a hangover. We’ve come a long way!

What hasn’t changed

The experience looks different, but what hasn’t changed over the years? The thrill and fulfillment of grilling, baking, and stocking our freezer with fresh salmon (and some rainbow trout) we reeled in and cleaned ourselves. 

Fishing on Lake Michigan is a lot of work and there are costs involved for gas, equipment, and inevitable repairs. For those who enjoy the process and value knowing where your food comes from, it’s extremely rewarding and worthwhile.

The next 10 years

Reflecting on this has been bittersweet. On one hand, I’m proud of the people we are now and the life we’ve created together over the past decade. We’ve traded demanding jobs for a more flexible lifestyle that allows for even more time on the water.

Of course, there’s also a certain nostalgia to those seemingly carefree 20-somethings with smooth skin and endless energy… even with no sleep!

Deep down I know that’s not an accurate representation. There were ups and downs then and there are ups and downs now. 

We don’t know what the next 10 years will bring, but we do know time will keep moving. I hope we can look back in another decade and be just as proud of how far we’ve come, and how we enjoyed the ride along the way. 

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Sheboygan salmon fishing video highlights