Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti" 

4.9/5 (59 reviews)
 325 South Lake Avenue, Duluth, MN 55802, United States
4.9/5 (59 reviews)
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325 South Lake Avenue
Duluth, MN, United States

Happy Hooker Charters runs angling trips out of Duluth and offers to show you what the local fishery is all about.

Captain James Cotner (previously Captain of Happy Hooker’s "Hooker Too") will do his best to make sure you have a fun day full of fishing. He specializes in Great Lakes trolling, all to get you on that bite. This involves 5 to 8-hour trips, mainly fishing for Walleye, Lake Trout, Salmon, and Rainbow Trout, depending on the season and conditions on the day. Captain James is a school teacher in the "off season" and loves teaching adults and kids about fishing Lake Superior!

You’ll be fishing from the "Aluminauti," a fully restored 32’ Marinette Express with enough room for up to 6 anglers at any single time. It also includes a toilet and ice box. All rods, reels, and terminal tackle are included in the price so you can focus on what really matters, fishing. You’ll be able to keep any legal species caught during the trip. Don’t forget to buy a fishing license before the trip!

Here to help you with anything you need, the first mate will be on hand during the trip. Leaving a tip for a job well done is much appreciated.

This is a children-friendly charter, so you’re welcome to bring your kids on for a fun fishing adventure.

Book your trip now and hit the water with Happy Hooker Charters.

Captain James is a USCG-licensed Charter Captain. "Aluminauti" meets and exceeds all USCG safety regulations to insure a fun and safe trip for everyone.

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Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 59 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
4.9/5
Experience
4.8/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (71)

Fishing with Peter
Intuitive
Intuitive
+68

Angler rating

53
3
1
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

91%

Appropriate for children

97%

Friendly captain

97%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

95%

Caught fish

91%

Showing 1 - 5 of 59 reviews
Showing: 5 of 59 reviews
Tina B.
Tina B.
5.0/5

Aug 22, 2024

Half Day Trip (PM)

Memories to last a lifetime

VERIFIED

What a fun day! We spent the afternoon lake trout fishing on Superior aboard the Aluminati with Happy Hookers Charter. We filled out limit, and Kellen caught a whopper measuring just shy of 32"! Thank you, Captain Jamie Cotner! And you know it's a small world when you board the boat and you say you're from New York Mills, and the Captain asks if you know any Salos! I said I am actually a Salo! Jamie teaches with Cody Salo in Cloquet! Small, small world. (And he said sauna correctly without coaching!) Just a quick trip up north, but memories can be made in the blink of an eye.

What a fun day! We spent the afternoon lake trout fishing on Superior aboard the Aluminati with Happy Hookers Charter. We filled...  

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Captain replied
 Tina B. recommends Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti"
 Tina B. recommends Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti"
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on August 24, 2024
Tina! It was our pleasure having you and your family out on the water! That was a fun bite and Kellen did great on that big laker! Let’s fish again next season! Take care, -Capt Jamie

Lawrence A.
Lawrence A.
5.0/5

Jun 29, 2025

Half Day Trip (PM)

Great Fishing Trip!

VERIFIED

While vacationing in Duluth, I decided to take my son and grandson on a charter fishing trip. We chose the Happy Hookers and the boat the Aluinauti. We had a fantastic time with captain Jamie and first meet Jack. We caught five very nice fish, salmon, and lake trout. They did everything to make the trip fun for everyone. We might have to make that one an annual trip.

While vacationing in Duluth, I decided to take my son and grandson on a charter fishing trip. We chose the Happy Hookers and the...  

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Review media 1
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Captain replied
 Lawrence A. recommends Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti"
 Lawrence A. recommends Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti"
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on July 15, 2025
Thank you for the kind words! Glad to help in making memories with your family in the “Big Pond”! Let’s do it again next year! -Capt Jamie

William T.
William T.
5.0/5

Jul 14, 2025

5 Hour Trip (AM)

Intuitive

VERIFIED

Captain went against all odds to get fish. Amazing morning!! Limit of Vohos by 8:30 am. Cap took us to Lake Trout heaven. Took me 20mins to reel in my 12 lb. Lake trout. Limited out quickly and on our way home in a half a day!

Captain went against all odds to get fish. Amazing morning!! Limit of Vohos by 8:30 am. Cap took us to Lake Trout heaven....  

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Captain replied
 William T. recommends Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti"
1 person finds this review helpful
 William T. recommends Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti"
1 person finds this review helpful
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on July 15, 2025
Bill! Such a fun morning! That pier head coho bite was one for the books! Glad you guys enjoyed your time, Roger and I definitely enjoyed having you both out. Hopefully we will get a chance to get back out there again in the future! Tight Lines! -Capt Jamie

Brenda R.
Brenda R.
5.0/5

Sep 28, 2024

5 Hour Trip (AM)

Best Fishing Charter Ever

VERIFIED

The Captain and crew did a wonderful job explaining what would happen on our fishing adventure. My 89 year old father had a blast bring in fish after fish all 5 of us caught the limit within 3 1/2 hours. It was a perfect day. We WILL be doing this again on the Aluminauti! We were even given suggestions on places to dine. I would without reservations recommended this trip to ANYONE!

The Captain and crew did a wonderful job explaining what would happen on our fishing adventure. My 89 year old father had a blast...  

Review media 0
Captain replied
 Brenda R. recommends Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti"
1 person finds this review helpful
 Brenda R. recommends Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti"
1 person finds this review helpful
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on September 28, 2024
Ah Brenda! Thank you for the kind words! Carter and I enjoyed your groups company and the great bite out there! Travel safe, looking forward to the next trip! -Capt Jamie

Mary J. M.
Mary J. M.
5.0/5

Aug 12, 2025

Half Day Trip (PM)

Great day

VERIFIED
NEW

Jamie is an awesome guide. I highly recommend booking a trip with him.

Jamie is an awesome guide. I highly recommend booking a trip with him.  

 Mary J. M. recommends Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti"
 Mary J. M. recommends Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti"

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
August 2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
5 Hour Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
5 Hour Trip, starts at 5:50 AM
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US $600 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Half Day Trip (PM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
5 Hour Trip, starts at 12:15 PM
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US $600 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Full Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
8 Hour Trip, starts at 5:45 AM
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US $900 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
There are 6 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 59 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
4.9/5
Experience
4.8/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (71)

Fishing with Peter
Intuitive
Intuitive
+68

Angler rating

53
3
1
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

91%

Appropriate for children

97%

Friendly captain

97%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

95%

Caught fish

91%

Showing 1 - 5 of 59 reviews
Showing: 5 of 59 reviews
Tina B.
Tina B.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Memories to last a lifetime

VERIFIED

Half Day Trip (PM) on August 22, 2024

What a fun day! We spent the afternoon lake trout fishing on Superior aboard the Aluminati with Happy Hookers Charter. We filled out limit, and Kellen caught a whopper measuring just shy of 32"! Thank you, Captain Jamie Cotner! And you know it's a small world when you board the boat and you say you're from New York Mills, and the Captain asks if you know any Salos! I said I am actually a Salo! Jamie teaches with Cody Salo in Cloquet! Small, small world. (And he said sauna correctly without coaching!) Just a quick trip up north, but memories can be made in the blink of an eye.

What a fun day! We spent the afternoon lake trout fishing on Superior aboard the Aluminati with Happy Hookers Charter. We filled out limit, and Kellen caught a whopper measuring just shy of 32"! Thank you, Captain Jamie Cotner! And you know it's a small world when you board the boat and you say you're from New York Mills, and the Captain asks if you know any Salos! I said I am actually a Salo! Jamie teaches with Cody Salo in Cloquet! Small, small world. (And he said sauna correctly without...  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
 Tina B. recommends Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti"
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on August 24, 2024
Tina! It was our pleasure having you and your family out on the water! That was a fun bite and Kellen did great on that big laker! Let’s fish again next season! Take care, -Capt Jamie

Lawrence A.
Lawrence A.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great Fishing Trip!

VERIFIED

Half Day Trip (PM) on June 29, 2025

While vacationing in Duluth, I decided to take my son and grandson on a charter fishing trip. We chose the Happy Hookers and the boat the Aluinauti. We had a fantastic time with captain Jamie and first meet Jack. We caught five very nice fish, salmon, and lake trout. They did everything to make the trip fun for everyone. We might have to make that one an annual trip.

While vacationing in Duluth, I decided to take my son and grandson on a charter fishing trip. We chose the Happy Hookers and the boat the Aluinauti. We had a fantastic time with captain Jamie and first meet Jack. We caught five very nice fish, salmon, and lake trout. They did everything to make the trip fun for everyone. We might have to make that one an annual trip.  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
 Lawrence A. recommends Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti"
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on July 15, 2025
Thank you for the kind words! Glad to help in making memories with your family in the “Big Pond”! Let’s do it again next year! -Capt Jamie

William T.
William T.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Intuitive

VERIFIED

5 Hour Trip (AM) on July 14, 2025

Captain went against all odds to get fish. Amazing morning!! Limit of Vohos by 8:30 am. Cap took us to Lake Trout heaven. Took me 20mins to reel in my 12 lb. Lake trout. Limited out quickly and on our way home in a half a day!

Captain went against all odds to get fish. Amazing morning!! Limit of Vohos by 8:30 am. Cap took us to Lake Trout heaven. Took me 20mins to reel in my 12 lb. Lake trout. Limited out quickly and on our way home in a half a day!  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Review media 3
Review media 4
Review media 5
 William T. recommends Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti"
1 person finds this review helpful
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on July 15, 2025
Bill! Such a fun morning! That pier head coho bite was one for the books! Glad you guys enjoyed your time, Roger and I definitely enjoyed having you both out. Hopefully we will get a chance to get back out there again in the future! Tight Lines! -Capt Jamie

Brenda R.
Brenda R.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Best Fishing Charter Ever

VERIFIED

5 Hour Trip (AM) on September 28, 2024

The Captain and crew did a wonderful job explaining what would happen on our fishing adventure. My 89 year old father had a blast bring in fish after fish all 5 of us caught the limit within 3 1/2 hours. It was a perfect day. We WILL be doing this again on the Aluminauti! We were even given suggestions on places to dine. I would without reservations recommended this trip to ANYONE!

The Captain and crew did a wonderful job explaining what would happen on our fishing adventure. My 89 year old father had a blast bring in fish after fish all 5 of us caught the limit within 3 1/2 hours. It was a perfect day. We WILL be doing this again on the Aluminauti! We were even given suggestions on places to dine. I would without reservations recommended this trip to ANYONE!  

Review media 0
 Brenda R. recommends Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti"
1 person finds this review helpful
undefined (The Captain)
Replied on September 28, 2024
Ah Brenda! Thank you for the kind words! Carter and I enjoyed your groups company and the great bite out there! Travel safe, looking forward to the next trip! -Capt Jamie

Mary J. M.
Mary J. M.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great day

VERIFIED
NEW

Half Day Trip (PM) on August 12, 2025

Jamie is an awesome guide. I highly recommend booking a trip with him.

Jamie is an awesome guide. I highly recommend booking a trip with him.  

 Mary J. M. recommends Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti"

FAQs about Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti"

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Sportfishing boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
32 ft
Year built
1989
Restored in
2021
Boat manufacturer
Marinette
Boat type
Sportfishing

Engine model
Chrysler
Powered by
2 x 250HP
Max cruising speed
22 knots
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What’s biting in Duluth right now

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