Fishing Reports by Captain Ron Westrate
About The Author: Captain
Company: CoHooker Charter Fishing Service
Area Reporting: Lake Michigan, Port of Saugatuck
Bio: CoHooker Charter Fishing Service is operated by a father and son team and has been in business for 33 years out of the Port of Saugatuck. We operate a 29 foot Luhrs Tournamenet that is insured licensed and fully equipped with the latest in electronics and fishing gear. We serve as prostaff for Scotty downriggers, Pro Troll Falshers, G flies and Raider lures.
888.253.8372
Click Here For Past Fishing Reports by Captain
Salmon on plugs in Saugatuck (7/27/2008)
[Saugatuck,MI] Salmon in the shallower water are hitting silver horde plugs.
[Saugatuck,MI] Salmon in the shallower water are hitting silver horde plugs.
Dive Bomb the Salmon (7/20/2008)
[Saugatuck,MI] Get down to 70 foot by adding a dive bomb to your copper line and allow 3oo foot of copper to reach the depths of 450 foot of copper.
[Saugatuck,MI] Get down to 70 foot by adding a dive bomb to your copper line and allow 3oo foot of copper to reach the depths of 450 foot of copper.
Perch show up at Saugatuck (7/13/2008)
[Saugatuck,MI] Chinook salmon and lake trout are being caught in 100 to 180 foot of water and perch are showing up in 30 to 40 foot of water.
[Saugatuck,MI] Chinook salmon and lake trout are being caught in 100 to 180 foot of water and perch are showing up in 30 to 40 foot of water.
Fun?? With The Spiney Water Flea (7/07/2008)
[Saugatuck,MI] Fishing was made a little more difficult with the need to clean the fleas off the lines.
[Saugatuck,MI] Fishing was made a little more difficult with the need to clean the fleas off the lines.
Inconsistent catches (6/30/2008)
[Saugatuck,MI] The fish are set up in 100 foot of water, however the fishing is inconsistent.
[Saugatuck,MI] The fish are set up in 100 foot of water, however the fishing is inconsistent.
100 FOW Fish At Last (6/22/2008)
[Saugatuck,MI] Fish are beginning to show up in the 100 to 140 foot range.
[Saugatuck,MI] Fish are beginning to show up in the 100 to 140 foot range.
June doldrums (6/16/2008)
[Saugatuck,MI] The fishing has slowed as the water temperature is the same from top to bottom.
[Saugatuck,MI] The fishing has slowed as the water temperature is the same from top to bottom.
Fish high one day-deep the next. (6/09/2008)
[Saugatuck,MI] The fishing pattern changed from one day to the next with fish hitting deep one day and then shallow the next.
[Saugatuck,MI] The fishing pattern changed from one day to the next with fish hitting deep one day and then shallow the next.
Fishing worth the long run (6/01/2008)
[Saugatuck,MI] The fishing is very good with 12 to 20 fish per boat after a run to 200 foot.
[Saugatuck,MI] The fishing is very good with 12 to 20 fish per boat after a run to 200 foot.
Spoons high and flashers and flies deep (5/25/2008)
[Saugatuck,MI] Fishing produced very nice catches by fishing spoons in the top 40 foot and flashers and lies down to the bottom.
[Saugatuck,MI] Fishing produced very nice catches by fishing spoons in the top 40 foot and flashers and lies down to the bottom.
Deep water fishing in Saugatuck (5/13/2008)
[Saugatuck,MI] The water is the same temp from top to bottom and the fish are deep in the column.
[Saugatuck,MI] The water is the same temp from top to bottom and the fish are deep in the column.
Best Lake Trout Catch in Years (5/05/2008)
[Saugatuck,MI] Lake trout caught deep and salmon and steelhead caught shallow.
[Saugatuck,MI] Lake trout caught deep and salmon and steelhead caught shallow.
Lake Trout Throw Back (4/28/2008)
[Saugatuck,MI] Fishing is mainly lake trout which must be returned to the water.
[Saugatuck,MI] Fishing is mainly lake trout which must be returned to the water.
Fish Shallow for Brown Trout (4/21/2008)
[Saugatuck,MI] 5 to 25 foot of water is producing well for Browns and Coho.
[Saugatuck,MI] 5 to 25 foot of water is producing well for Browns and Coho.
Fish inside the bar (4/14/2008)
[Saugatuck,MI] Fish the shallow water for the brown trout and around the piers for lake trout.
[Saugatuck,MI] Fish the shallow water for the brown trout and around the piers for lake trout.
Fishing warms up in Saugatuck (4/08/2008)
[Saugatuck,MI] As the water warms, the fishing improves on the Kalamazoo and in Lake Michigan.
[Saugatuck,MI] As the water warms, the fishing improves on the Kalamazoo and in Lake Michigan.
End of River Charter for the Year (10/26/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Few fish are being caught in deeper water and in the river.
[Saugatuck,MI] Few fish are being caught in deeper water and in the river.
Run slows in Saugatuck (9/27/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] The chinook run has slowed with warm water and south winds.
[Saugatuck,MI] The chinook run has slowed with warm water and south winds.
Cold water produces salmon at Saugatuck piers (9/18/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Cold water produces schools of salmon at the piers
[Saugatuck,MI] Cold water produces schools of salmon at the piers
Warm water still produces Salmon in Saugatuck (9/09/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Water warms up and fish move out to deeper water.
[Saugatuck,MI] Water warms up and fish move out to deeper water.
Water temp changes daily in Saugtuck (9/03/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Water changes in temperature just about every day.
[Saugatuck,MI] Water changes in temperature just about every day.
They're Baaack!! (8/26/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Chinook Salmon stagging off of Saugatuck.
[Saugatuck,MI] Chinook Salmon stagging off of Saugatuck.
Inconsistent conditions produce consistent fish (8/19/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Varied conditions are still producing some very nice fish.
[Saugatuck,MI] Varied conditions are still producing some very nice fish.
Fish humble fishermen in Saugatuck (8/13/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Fishing goes for fast and furious to slow and difficult.
[Saugatuck,MI] Fishing goes for fast and furious to slow and difficult.
Another week of adult salmon (8/05/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] The chinook salmon continues to stage offshore Saugatuck.
[Saugatuck,MI] The chinook salmon continues to stage offshore Saugatuck.
20 Fish in Two Hours in Saugatuck (7/29/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Salmon are on the feed off of Saugatuck.
[Saugatuck,MI] Salmon are on the feed off of Saugatuck.
Limit Catches of Salmon in Saugatuck (7/23/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Salmon move into shallow water as the lake cools down.
[Saugatuck,MI] Salmon move into shallow water as the lake cools down.
Flashers and Flies in Saugatuck (7/16/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Salmon and trout are hitting flashers and flies pulled on downriggers and dipsy divers.
[Saugatuck,MI] Salmon and trout are hitting flashers and flies pulled on downriggers and dipsy divers.
Saugatuck fishing producing 20 lb salmon (7/08/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Fishing is fantastic in Saugatuck with large salmon and trout.
[Saugatuck,MI] Fishing is fantastic in Saugatuck with large salmon and trout.
12 Pound Average Catches (7/01/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] 10 fish per boat and 12 pound average for the Chinook and Steelhead.
[Saugatuck,MI] 10 fish per boat and 12 pound average for the Chinook and Steelhead.
Big Salmon and Steelhead in Saugatuck (6/24/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Salmon in the high teens and steelhead as big as 13 pounds caught in Saugatuck.
[Saugatuck,MI] Salmon in the high teens and steelhead as big as 13 pounds caught in Saugatuck.
Limit Catches to Limited Fish in Saugatuck (6/10/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] High winds and rough seas changed the fishing conditions.
[Saugatuck,MI] High winds and rough seas changed the fishing conditions.
Fish in deeper water in Saugatuck (6/03/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Salmon and Lake Trout are caught as deep as 175 foot down.
[Saugatuck,MI] Salmon and Lake Trout are caught as deep as 175 foot down.
Limit Catches in Saugatuck (5/28/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Salmon and Steelhead predominate the catches during this week with many limit catches.
[Saugatuck,MI] Salmon and Steelhead predominate the catches during this week with many limit catches.
Silver Fish in Saugatuck (5/21/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Chinook and Coho Salmon along with some steelhead are being caught in Saugatuck.
[Saugatuck,MI] Chinook and Coho Salmon along with some steelhead are being caught in Saugatuck.
Fishing improving in Saugatuck (5/13/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Chinook, coho, stealhead, brown and lake trout being caught in Saugatuck.
[Saugatuck,MI] Chinook, coho, stealhead, brown and lake trout being caught in Saugatuck.
Wind and Cold Water Slow Fishing in Saugatuck (5/07/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Cold water slows the fishing in Saugatuck
[Saugatuck,MI] Cold water slows the fishing in Saugatuck
A few fish being caught in Saugatuck (4/30/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] The fish are scattered in the Lake Water.
[Saugatuck,MI] The fish are scattered in the Lake Water.
Brown Trout being caught in warmer water (4/25/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Some Brown Trout and Lake Trout are beng caught in the shallow water and along the river water discharge.
[Saugatuck,MI] Some Brown Trout and Lake Trout are beng caught in the shallow water and along the river water discharge.
End of River Charters for the Year (4/16/2007)
[Saugatuck,MI] Fishing switches from the river to the lake. The lake is still very cold with 36 degree water along the shore and 37 degree water off the Douglas point.
[Saugatuck,MI] Fishing switches from the river to the lake. The lake is still very cold with 36 degree water along the shore and 37 degree water off the Douglas point.
Kalamazoo River Steelhead (12/30/2006)
[Saugatuck,MI] Steelhead fishing is picking up on the river. The Kalamazoo River level has subsided and the fishing is picking up with some very nice steelhead being caught above the New Richmond Bridge. I have not recieved any information about activity on the lower river, however I would think the fish are moving in. Hot n Tots that are back trolled into the holes and spawn that is bounced back over the bottom are the methods of choice.
[Saugatuck,MI] Steelhead fishing is picking up on the river. The Kalamazoo River level has subsided and the fishing is picking up with some very nice steelhead being caught above the New Richmond Bridge. I have not recieved any information about activity on the lower river, however I would think the fish are moving in. Hot n Tots that are back trolled into the holes and spawn that is bounced back over the bottom are the methods of choice.
Warm and Rough Water In Saugatuck (9/27/2006)
[Saugatuck,MI] Warm water and rough water was the theme for last week. We only got to fish on Saturday and even then we could not get out to the cooler water off shore because of the lake and weather conditions. The water was 67 degrees on top from the shore line to 180 foot of water and it was 65 degrees 150 foot down in 180 foot of water.
[Saugatuck,MI] Warm water and rough water was the theme for last week. We only got to fish on Saturday and even then we could not get out to the cooler water off shore because of the lake and weather conditions. The water was 67 degrees on top from the shore line to 180 foot of water and it was 65 degrees 150 foot down in 180 foot of water.
Water Warms Up In Saugatuck (9/18/2006)
[Saugatuck,MI] What a strange fall. The fall run has not yet started since the water temperature is warming up every day. This past week we started fishing in 110 foot of water (40 to 70 feet down) with the temperature 49 degrees 60 foot down, and by Sunday we had to go 130 foot down to get 58 degrees with 68 degrees from the surface down to 125 foot.
[Saugatuck,MI] What a strange fall. The fall run has not yet started since the water temperature is warming up every day. This past week we started fishing in 110 foot of water (40 to 70 feet down) with the temperature 49 degrees 60 foot down, and by Sunday we had to go 130 foot down to get 58 degrees with 68 degrees from the surface down to 125 foot.
Salmon Fishing Remains Good Off Pier (9/11/2006)
[Saugatuck,MI] No change in the fishing!! The water is still warm in front the piers and the salmon are still staged out in 100 foot of water. We fished for a couple of hours in front the piers Sunday and managed to catch a couple of fish and then moved back off shore and caught 11 more salmon.
[Saugatuck,MI] No change in the fishing!! The water is still warm in front the piers and the salmon are still staged out in 100 foot of water. We fished for a couple of hours in front the piers Sunday and managed to catch a couple of fish and then moved back off shore and caught 11 more salmon.
Salmon Are Here in Saugatuck (9/04/2006)
[Saugatuck,MI] The salmon are here. Salmon are being taken from 20 foot of water in front of the piers out to 140 foot of water. All week we have been fishing from 60 to 110 foot of water and have been taking 12 to 23 fish per trip.
[Saugatuck,MI] The salmon are here. Salmon are being taken from 20 foot of water in front of the piers out to 140 foot of water. All week we have been fishing from 60 to 110 foot of water and have been taking 12 to 23 fish per trip.
Salmon Biting In Saugtuck Lake Michigan (8/21/2006)
[Saugatuck,MI] The salmon are "putting on the feedbag" and beginning to stage off shore for the fall run. This past week we fish where caught from 50 to 180 foot of water.
[Saugatuck,MI] The salmon are "putting on the feedbag" and beginning to stage off shore for the fall run. This past week we fish where caught from 50 to 180 foot of water.
Chinook Salmon Fishing Lake Michigan (8/14/2006)
[Saugatuck,MI] This past week was a week of changes with wind, currents and water temperature. We started out fishing in 120 foot of water, then moved into 50 foot of water when the water temperature dropped 15 degrees, moved out to 160 foot and then by the end of the week we where back in 100 foot.
[Saugatuck,MI] This past week was a week of changes with wind, currents and water temperature. We started out fishing in 120 foot of water, then moved into 50 foot of water when the water temperature dropped 15 degrees, moved out to 160 foot and then by the end of the week we where back in 100 foot.
Salmon and Lake Trout Biting (8/07/2006)
[Saugatuck,MI] The salmon fishing is very good right now in 90 foot to 130 foot of water with catches consisting of 8 to 20 fish per trip. The salmon weigh from 10 to 17 pounds with a few that are in the 20+ pound range.
[Saugatuck,MI] The salmon fishing is very good right now in 90 foot to 130 foot of water with catches consisting of 8 to 20 fish per trip. The salmon weigh from 10 to 17 pounds with a few that are in the 20+ pound range.
Some Steelhead and Lake Trout Caught (7/31/2006)
[Saugatuck,MI] Fishing this past week was in 80 foot to 140 foot of water from the Dunes State Park to the 3rd telephone tower.
[Saugatuck,MI] Fishing this past week was in 80 foot to 140 foot of water from the Dunes State Park to the 3rd telephone tower.