Breezy 1 Sportfishing 

4.9
(77 reviews)
 701 North Point Drive, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096, United States–

Breezy 1 Sportfishing 

Winthrop Harbor, IL, United States
–
40 ft
6
4.9
(77 reviews)

Come and experience the best that Lake Michigan has to offer with Breezy 1 Charters. Head offshore with an experienced crew, and even take the chance to stay in a lakeside lodge, as you get the most out of the diverse fishery on offer in this Great Lake.

A 2nd generation guide, Captain Shawn Keulen has spent his life on the water. From a young age, he learned exactly what makes a special fishing trip, and puts the customer at the heart of his business. Let him show you what riches the lake has to offer.

Discover exciting fishing grounds up to 8 miles offshore aboard a spacious 40' Luhrs offshore sportfishing boat. Powered by twin 500 HP Yanmar engines, you'll speed off after the fish, all the while enjoying the comfortable space. Up to 6 guests are invited to take advantage of the air-conditioned cabin that features a bed, kitchen, fridge, TV, and toilet.

Built with fishing in mind, the downriggers and outriggers will allow you to troll with numerous lines as you seek to entice the bite of some monster fish. Capt. Shawn wants you to be as involved as you'd like, so help set up the lines or sit back and enjoy the stunning surroundings.

Overnight trips will see you stay at the modern and comfortable Illinois Beach Hotel. Overlooking the lake, she's a delightful place for lodging and putting your feet up after a long day's fishing.

You'll need all the rest you can get after spending a day on the water battling it out with some of the Great Lakes' finest. Monster Salmon and Trout will be biting away at your line. Known for trying to wriggle away and even leap out of the water to get off your line, you'd better use all your strength to reel 'em in!

At the end of each trip, the crew will clean and prepare your catch for you to take home, so come prepared to fill your fridge with delicious fish. All you need to do is grab your fishing license, bring some drinks and snacks, and get ready for a memorable experience with Breezy 1 Charters.

Come and experience the best that Lake Michigan has to offer with Breezy 1 Charters. Head offshore with an experienced crew, and even take the chance to stay in a lakeside lodge, as you get the most out of the diverse fishery on offer in this Great Lake.

A 2nd generation guide, Captain Shawn Keulen has spent his life on the water. From a young age, he learned exactly what makes a special fishing trip, and puts the customer at the heart of his business. Let him show you what riches the lake has to offer.

Discover exciting fishing grounds up to 8 miles offshore aboard a spacious 40' Luhrs offshore sportfishing boat. Powered by twin 500 HP Yanmar engines, you'll speed off after the fish, all the while enjoying the comfortable space. Up to 6 guests are invited to take advantage of the air-conditioned cabin that features a bed, kitchen, fridge, TV, and toilet.

Built with fishing in mind, the downriggers and outriggers will allow you to troll with numerous lines as you seek to entice the bite of some monster fish. Capt. Shawn wants you to be as involved as you'd like, so help set up the lines or sit back and enjoy the stunning surroundings.

Overnight trips will see you stay at the modern and comfortable Illinois Beach Hotel. Overlooking the lake, she's a delightful place for lodging and putting your feet up after a long day's fishing.

You'll need all the rest you can get after spending a day on the water battling it out with some of the Great Lakes' finest. Monster Salmon and Trout will be biting away at your line. Known for trying to wriggle away and even leap out of the water to get off your line, you'd better use all your strength to reel 'em in!

At the end of each trip, the crew will clean and prepare your catch for you to take home, so come prepared to fill your fridge with delicious fish. All you need to do is grab your fishing license, bring some drinks and snacks, and get ready for a memorable experience with Breezy 1 Charters.

Shawn Keulen
Captain
Shawn Keulen
31 years of experience
ID & credentials verified
responds within an hour

Select date to see availability

Trip date:
Group Size:
November 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
Loading...
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
3/4 Day Trip – Weekday (AM) 1-6 PAX
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 5:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 25 - Oct 26 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu)
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
Salmon (Chinook)
+1
US $790
Entire boat: up to 6 people
3/4 Day Trip – Weekday (PM) 1-6 PAX
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 12:00 PM
Seasonal trip
Apr 25 - Oct 26 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu)
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
Salmon (Chinook)
+1
US $790
Entire boat: up to 6 people
3/4 Day Trip – Weekend (AM)
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 5:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 25 - Oct 26 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
Salmon (Chinook)
+1
US $850
Entire boat: up to 6 people
3/4 Day Trip – Weekend (PM)
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 12:00 PM
Seasonal trip
Apr 25 - Oct 26 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
Salmon (Chinook)
+1
US $850
Entire boat: up to 6 people

Customer reviews

Loading...

Rating

4.9
77 reviews
5.0
Boat & equipment
4.9
Captain & crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (101)

What anglers say

98%
Great experience
93%
Family friendly
98%
Friendly captain
98%
Good boat
91%
Recommended
91%
Caught fish

Reviews (77)

  • Michael Barnett
    Michael Barnett
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    We’ll be back next year

    3/4 Day Trip – Weekday (AM) 1-6 PAX on October 5, 2026 • 4 adults • 2 children

    Fabulous trip. Clean, well equipped boat with a knowledgeable, friendly and helpful crew. Caught our limit in under 2 hours and the first mate cleaned and filleted the fish on the way back to the dock. Couldn’t ask for a better experience. My grandsons can’t stop talking about the great experience they had today.

  • Hunter Blasingame
    Hunter Blasingame
    Repeat angler
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2026
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    great trip!

    3/4 Day Trip – Weekday (PM) 1-6 PAX on September 17, 2026 • 2 adults

    Shawn was a great captain and had a great deck hand Austin! we caught fish within the first few min of fishing! will be back for sure!

  • Dale Allred
    Dale Allred
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Caught fish early and often!

    3/4 Day Trip – Weekend (AM) on October 9, 2026 • 5 adults • 1 child

    Captain knew exactly where to go and we literally started catching Lake Trout right away!

  • Eric Grot
    Eric Grot
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2022
    5.0
    Verified

    Amazing Trip!

    3/4 Day Trip – Weekday (PM) 1-6 PAX on July 23, 2026 • 6 adults • 3 children

    Highly recommended, boat is great, Captian and crew amazing. They will put you on fish.

  • Cara Thayer
    Cara Thayer
    Repeat angler
    us
    New York, US
    Member since 2021
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Successful day out on the Lake!

    3/4 Day Trip – Weekend (PM) on July 20, 2024 • 6 adults

    Shawn and crew were so great! Very communicative to answer all our questions before the trip, and helpful in figuring out which license we needed. We had perfect weather and great success! Within 10 minutes of stopping the engine we had two fish on the line and snagged a large salmon and a lake trout at once. The boat was easily the nicest one I’ve been on for a Lake Michigan charter. Shawn went above and beyond and even suggested some great recipes (for the trout specifically) which we used that night and loved! Would definitely recommend Breezy 1!

  • Stephan Wegfehrt
    Stephan Wegfehrt
    Repeat angler
    us
    Arizona, US
    Member since 2021
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    1/2 day with Captain Shawn

    3/4 Day Trip – Weekday (AM) 5-6 PAX on June 8, 2023 • 5 adults

    Capt Shawn and Keith were awesome! We caught our limit in no time—even including a trip back to the dock to drop off a couple from our group who were struggling with the chop on the lake. Capt Shawn is very gracious, accommodating, and will go out of his way to give you the best trip possible considering the conditions. He put us on fish, was a great coach, and was patient as we fumbled our way around the deck. He and Keith were both very helpful and kind while doing so. I’m not sure if we’ll ever get back up to the Chicago area. But if we do, we are 100% booking with Breezy 1 Charters again!! Thanks for a great time Captain Shawn and Keith! We stuffed ourselves this evening on some delicious salmon!!

  • Joseph Christensen
    Joseph Christensen
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Great day!

    3/4 Day Trip – Weekend (PM) on August 15, 2025 • 6 adults

    Captain Shawn and Boomer were great! We had a group of 6 with mixed levels of fishing experience and everyone had a blast and caught fish! We will definitely do this again!!

  • Mike Weed
    Mike Weed
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2021
    5.0
    Verified

    Half Day Trip with Breezy 1 Sportfishing

    3/4 Day Trip – Weekend (PM) on June 11, 2022 • 6 adults

    First time on a big lake charter and I couldn’t be happier with my experience with Breezy 1 Sportfishing. Captain Shawn is second generation Captain and very knowledgeable. He will put you on the fish and won’t miss a single hit on any of the 10-15 lines, your only job after that is to reel it in and land it. Deckhand Jordan stages and pulls the poles down, keeps your lines tangle free and nets the fish. Several times throughout our half day trip 3 of us were reeling in fish at same time, which was exciting for the group. The Boat is very large and clean and has plenty room for a group of 6. Both Captain Shawn and Jordan freely share their fishing knowledge and provide instructions throughout the trip. Maybe it was beginners luck, but I believe it was the Captain’s lifelong fishing experience that helped us hit our limit. If you are thinking of hiring a Charter, don’t hesitate another second, book with Breezy 1 Sportfishing, you won’t be disappointed.

  • Ben Shelley
    Ben Shelley
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2024
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing with Shawn

    3/4 Day Trip – Weekend (PM) on May 19, 2024 • 5 adults

    This trip was a lot of fun. At one point we had 5 fish on and landed all of the. Captain Shawn is very easy to talk to and very knowledgeable. We had 5 guys in our group and got our limit

  • Gregory Kaplan
    Gregory Kaplan
    Repeat angler
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2022
    4 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    A great day

    3/4 Day Trip – Weekday (PM) 1-4 PAX on June 29, 2023 • 4 adults

    We had a great day fishing/ catching. The crew didn’t leave it to chance, trolling with 14 lines at various depths and configurations. Nice boat. Good cockpit space and room for spectators. On our day, the lake trout were hitting more than salmon and we have a 20+ # laker. Fun day.

FAQs about Breezy 1 Sportfishing

Breezy 1 Sportfishing offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $790 per group - 3/4 Day Trip – Weekday (AM) 1-6 PAX (6 hours)
  • US $790 per group - 3/4 Day Trip – Weekday (PM) 1-6 PAX (6 hours)
  • US $850 per group - 3/4 Day Trip – Weekend (AM) (6 hours)
  • US $850 per group - 3/4 Day Trip – Weekend (PM) (6 hours)
When you book a trip with Breezy 1 Sportfishing, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet The restroom on the Breezy 1 also known as the 'head' in the nautical world is a completely private restroom with running water and sink. The crew cleans the restroom after every charter.
  • Air conditioning
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Bed
  • Flybridge
  • Live bait well
  • Kitchen
  • Refrigerator
  • Multimedia system
  • Outriggers
  • Ice box
  • Radar
Trips booked with Breezy 1 Sportfishing include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (New every other season)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (Fish cleaning and bagging of your catch is a option if you would like the crew to take care of it for you. The fee is 1.00 per fish to have your fish professionally cleaned and bagged at the end of your trip.)
  • First mate (Expected tip of 20%)
Breezy 1 Sportfishing offers the following types of fishing:
  • Lake fishing (Lake Michigan)
  • Nearshore fishing (Near shore is less that 2 miles)
  • Offshore fishing (Offshore as much as 36 miles from marina)
  • Reef fishing (Multiple Reefs around the lake)
  • Wreck fishing (Ship wrecks within a short run or our marina)
Breezy 1 Sportfishing offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Heavy tackle
  • Trolling
Top targeted fish species with Breezy 1 Sportfishing include:
  • Brown Trout
  • Lake Trout
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Coho)

Your captain

Shawn Keulen
Shawn Keulen
Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, United States
2 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
77 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since October 2018
My experience on these waters dates back to when I was 7 years old and I began fishing with my father. I began working as a first mate on charter boats when I was 13 years old. With over 30 years of experience in the charter industry and multiple generations, fishing is not only in our blood, it's also our passion.
Shawn Keulen
Shawn Keulen
Fully verified
2
reports
77
reviews
2018
member since
~1h
response
My experience on these waters dates back to when I was 7 years old and I began fishing with my father. I began working as a first mate on charter boats when I was 13 years old. With over 30 years of experience in the charter industry and multiple generations, fishing is not only in our blood, it's also our passion.

The fish you can target

Brown Trout
Brown Trout
Lake Trout
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Chinook Salmon
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
Coho Salmon
Brown Trout
Brown Trout
Lake Trout
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Chinook Salmon
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
Coho Salmon

Real catches by this captain

  • Multiple lake trout displayed across the deck of a fishing boat, showcasing a substantial group catch.
    Fish 1
    Lake Trout
    Dale A.
    Dale A.
    Captain knew exactly where to go and we literally started catching Lake Trout right away!
  • A variety of fish, including several large trout, laid out on the deck of a boat after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Lake Trout
    Michael B.
    Michael B.
    Fabulous trip. Clean, well equipped boat with a knowledgeable, friendly and helpful crew. Caught our limit in under 2 hours and the first mate cleaned and filleted the fish on the way back to the dock. Couldn’t ask for a better experience. My grandsons can’t stop talking about the great experience they had today.
  • Multiple silver salmon displayed across the deck of a fishing boat, showcasing a substantial group catch.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Lake Trout
    Hunter B.
    Hunter B.
    Shawn was a great captain and had a great deck hand Austin! we caught fish within the first few min of fishing! will be back for sure!
  • A group of five anglers proudly displaying their catch of multiple Silver Trout on a fishing charter.
    Fish 1
    Coho Salmon
    Kyle N.
    Kyle N.
  • Group of anglers posing on a boat with a successful catch of multiple fish, showcasing their haul after a day of fishing.
    Fish 1
    Coho Salmon
    Chad K.
    Chad K.
  • A large catch of salmon and trout arranged across the deck of a fishing boat, including a prominently spotted lake trout.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Coho Salmon
    Eric G.
    Eric G.
    Highly recommended, boat is great, Captian and crew amazing. They will put you on fish.
  • Group of anglers posing aboard a fishing boat beside a large display of freshly caught striped bass.
    Fish 1
    Chinook Salmon
    Lauri H.
    Lauri H.
    We are a multi generational multi racial group and all of us had a wonderful time. The captain and staff made all of us feel comfortable. Can't wait to do this again. It's best for anyone they will do everything possible to make you feel welcome/safe/welcome.
  • Family group with children posing aboard a fishing boat beside a large display of freshly caught king mackerel.
    Fish 1
    Chinook Salmon
    Angelo V.
    Angelo V.
    Captain Shawn and First mate Mason were absolutely great and professional. The XL boat was perfect for 6 and was extreamly clean and well maintained(we liked that). Shawn put us on the fish and Mason helped the 4 boys land them on the boat. They made the day an unforgettable one. The trip was everything we ask for. Limited out and made two birthday boys extremely happy. We will be back! Thanks Capt Shawn. keep up the great work! We will be passing the information on to anyone who askes about fishing the lake.
  • Family fishing group with two young anglers posing beside multiple fish displayed on the deck of a boat.
    Fish 1
    Chinook Salmon
    Logan L.
    Logan L.
    I have ued Breezy1 Charters several times. They are always professional, courteous and offer a great fishing experience. My family enjoy these charters and look forward to them each year. The best of the best!
  • Family group posing aboard an offshore fishing boat beside a large display of freshly caught fish on the deck.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Coho Salmon
    Alex F.
    Alex F.
    Took my family on a charter with Shawn for my birthday. Easy instructions and good communication beforehand, and a productive trip. We caught king salmon, coho salmon, rainbow trout and lake trout. They fileted them for us and we took it all home - grilled a couple later that night. Shawn knew what he was doing and was helpful with my younger child too. Great trip!

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Sportfishing boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
40 ft
Year built
2005
Boat manufacturer
Luhrs
Boat type
Sportfishing
Engine model
Yanmar
Powered by
2 x 500HP
Max cruising speed
36 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Lake Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Trolling

Which amenities are available onboard

Toilet
The restroom on the Breezy 1 also known as the 'head' in the nautical world is a completely private restroom with running water and sink. The crew cleans the restroom after every charter.
Air conditioning
GPS
Fishfinder
Bed
Flybridge
Live bait well
Kitchen
Refrigerator
Multimedia system
Outriggers
Ice box
Radar
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
New every other season
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Fish cleaning and bagging of your catch is a option if you would like the crew to take care of it for you. The fee is 1.00 per fish to have your fish professionally cleaned and bagged at the end of your trip.
First mate
Expected tip of 20%

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 14 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.
More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child friendly
The Breezy 1 has no age limits for children. In fact we have a saying on the boat that 'kids are welcome and adults are tolerated' lol. As a father of 2 children, Captain Shawn loves having kids of all ages on the boat.
You keep catch
Disabled accessible

How you can pay

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:
 Cash
 Visa
 Mastercard
 American Express
 Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.

What’s biting in Winthrop Harbor right now

Brown TroutBrown Trout
Lake TroutLake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Salmon (Chinook)Salmon (Chinook)
Salmon (Coho)Salmon (Coho)

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
Breezy 1 Sportfishing
Breezy 1 Sportfishing
4.9
(77)
40 ft
Group size 1 - 6
1 - 6
Fish 1
Fish 2
+3
6 hour trip • 6 persons
US $790