Windy City Salmon

• Kid Friendly
• Keep Your Fish
• Fish Clean & Packaged
• Fishing Gear
• Toilet
• Ice

Windy City Salmon Fishing Charters in Waukegan, Illinois, provides salmon and trout fishing on Lake Michigan. Departing from Waukegan Harbor, trips focus on Coho and Chinook (King) Salmon, as well as Steelhead, Brown, and Lake Trout. Depending on the time of year, hauls can range from a dozen fish to full limits of 20-25. Spring dates in April, May, and June tend to fill up quickly, with reservations often made weeks or months in advance. The charter is open to both beginners and those with more experience, with a focus on making every trip productive and efficient.

Captain Rick Bentley, who owns and operates Windy City Salmon, grew up in Libertyville, Illinois, and has been fishing these waters since he was 12. His uncle, Captain Ross Shellenberger, introduced him to salmon and trout fishing, which later led to working as a first mate throughout his teenage years. After high school, Rick pursued a degree in finance and economics, eventually working in financial consulting with a focus on investigative stock trading intelligence. Despite professional success, he always felt drawn back to fishing. In 2007, he launched Windy City Salmon and has been running charters ever since. Over the years, he has fished in Canada, Florida, and the Caribbean, but he has always returned to Lake Michigan. With 17 years as a captain and seven years as a first mate before that, Rick is licensed and insured under the U.S. Coast Guard and is a member of the National Association of Charterboat Operators and the Maritime Consortium. His work has been featured in NBC Nightly News, ABC News Chicago, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Field & Stream. On June 29, 2018, a client on his boat caught the Illinois state record for Lake Whitefish, weighing 8 pounds 4 ounces. During the offseason, Rick spends time with his wife and daughter, often traveling to hike and ski in the western U.S. or Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He lives with his family in Green Oaks/Libertyville, Illinois.

Fishing trips are available in 5, 6, and 8-hour options, either in the morning or afternoon. Private groups of up to four can book standard trips, while smaller groups of two or three can take advantage of discounted weekday rates from Monday to Friday. For those looking for a more extended fishing getaway, multiple charter packages with overnight accommodations are also available.

The Independence, the vessel used for these trips, is a 34-foot Tiara with a 12-foot-wide stern. Specifically designed and outfitted for salmon and trout fishing on the Great Lakes, the Tiara brand is widely regarded as one of the highest-quality boats in the industry. This particular model is powered by twin 6.0 (364CI, GM block) multi-port, electronic fuel-injected Crusader engines installed in 2020. These engines offer improved fuel efficiency and speed, allowing for faster travel to fishing spots compared to older, less efficient boats. With a clean, private bathroom and a large cabin for storage, the Independence also provides plenty of space on the stern deck for fishing. The boat is updated regularly with new technology and cosmetic enhancements to keep it modern, efficient, and safe. It can accommodate up to six people.

For those looking to book a fishing trip in Waukegan, Illinois, more details can be found on their website.

Regions

• Illinois
• Waukegan