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Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti" 

4.9/5 (64 reviews)
 325 South Lake Avenue, Duluth, MN 55802, United States–
Charter Image

Happy Hooker Charters – "Aluminauti" 

4.9/5 (64 reviews)
Charter Image
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325 South Lake Avenue
Duluth, MN, United States
Trips & prices Targeted species Boat info What's biting What's included Contact captain
Trips & prices What's included Targeted species Boat info Reviews Contact captain

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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Rating

4.9
64 reviews
5
58
4
3
3
1
2
0
1
0
4.9
Boat & equipment
4.9
Captain & crew
4.8
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (75)

A group of anglers aboard a boat, with one proudly displaying a caught fish, likely a species from the local waters.
An angler proudly displaying two Lake Trout while fishing on a boat in clear waters.
Three anglers proudly displaying their catch of trout on a sunny day at the dock, with the boat 'Aluminauti' in the background.
An angler proudly displaying a large Lake Trout while fishing on a boat, showcasing a successful day on the water.
A group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of fish on a board at the dock, with a large ship in the background.
Two anglers proudly displaying their catch of Lake Trout while fishing on a boat, with a scenic waterfront in the background.
+69

What anglers say

91%
Great experience
97%
Family friendly
97%
Friendly captain
100%
Good boat
95%
Recommended
91%
Caught fish

All reviews (64)

Filter
Showing 1 – 5 of 64 reviews
Lawrence Anderson
Lawrence Anderson
5.0
Verified
Great Fishing Trip!
Half Day Trip (PM) on June 29, 2025 • 2 adults • 1 child
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.
A young angler proudly displaying a large fish while fishing on a boat, showcasing a sunny day on the water.
Two anglers proudly displaying their catch of Lake Trout while fishing on a charter boat.
A family proudly displaying their catch of fish at the dock, featuring a mix of adults and a child, after a successful fishing trip.
Response from Captain
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
0
William Thurston
William Thurston
5.0
Verified
Intuitive
5 Hour Trip (AM) on July 14, 2025 • 4 adults • 1 child
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!
Two anglers proudly displaying their catch of Lake Trout while fishing on a boat, with a scenic waterfront in the background.
An angler proudly displaying a large Lake Trout while fishing on a boat, showcasing a beautiful day on the water.
Two anglers proudly displaying a catch of multiple fish on a board in front of the 'Aluminaut' charter boat, showcasing a successful day of fishing.
An angler proudly displaying a large fish on a boat during a fishing trip, with another person preparing gear in the background.
Two anglers proudly displaying a catch of multiple fish on a board in front of the 'Aluminauti' charter boat, showcasing a successful fishing trip.
The exterior of the 'Aluminauti' boat docked in Duluth, MN, showcasing its fishing setup and spacious design.
Response from Captain
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
1
Mike Booker
Mike Booker
5.0
Verified
Outstanding Trip
5 Hour Trip (AM) on June 9, 2025 • 6 adults
I cannot put into words the great time we had on Lake Superior. The captain and first mate were nothing but professional and very friendly. Will definitely be back.
Response from Captain
June 10, 2025
Hey Mike! Thanks for coming out with Roger and I yesterday. We had a great time, glad to hear you guys did as well. The “Alpine” Crew is welcome on my boat anytime! Take care! -Capt Jamie Cotner
0
Christopher Virta
Christopher Virta
5.0
Verified
Daughter's First Charter Trip
Half Day Trip (PM) on September 21, 2025 • 2 adults
Great experience. The grin on my teen daughter's face holding the first Lake Trout she pulled in was priceless. Couldn't have asked for a better trip.
0
Jeff Hoehn
Jeff Hoehn
5.0
Verified
Awesome Experience
Half Day Trip (PM) on August 22, 2025 • 3 adults
Captain Jamie and 1st mate Bugsy were great, very knowledgeable and personable. Will definitely recommend them and plan to return next year.
A group of anglers aboard a boat, with one proudly displaying a caught fish, likely a species from the local waters.
An angler proudly displaying two Lake Trout while fishing on a boat in clear waters.
Three anglers proudly displaying their catch of trout on a sunny day at the dock, with the boat 'Aluminauti' in the background.
An angler proudly displaying a large Lake Trout while fishing on a boat, showcasing a successful day on the water.
Reported catch:
Lake Trout
0

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
April 2026
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
US $600
Entire boat: up to 4 people
Half Day Trip (PM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
5 Hour Trip
starts at 12:15 PM
US $600
Entire boat: up to 4 people
Full Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
8 Hour Trip
starts at 5:45 AM
US $900
Entire boat: up to 4 people
There are 6 people looking at this charter.

Rating

4.9
64 reviews
5
58
4
3
3
1
2
0
1
0
4.9
Boat & equipment
4.9
Captain & crew
4.8
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (75)

A group of anglers aboard a boat, with one proudly displaying a caught fish, likely a species from the local waters.
An angler proudly displaying two Lake Trout while fishing on a boat in clear waters.
Three anglers proudly displaying their catch of trout on a sunny day at the dock, with the boat 'Aluminauti' in the background.
An angler proudly displaying a large Lake Trout while fishing on a boat, showcasing a successful day on the water.
A group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of fish on a board at the dock, with a large ship in the background.
Two anglers proudly displaying their catch of Lake Trout while fishing on a boat, with a scenic waterfront in the background.
+69

What anglers say

91%
Great experience
97%
Family friendly
97%
Friendly captain
100%
Good boat
95%
Recommended
91%
Caught fish

All reviews (64)

Filter
Showing 1 – 5 of 64 reviews
Lawrence Anderson
Lawrence Anderson
5.0
Verified
Great Fishing Trip!
Half Day Trip (PM) on June 29, 2025 • 2 adults • 1 child
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.
A young angler proudly displaying a large fish while fishing on a boat, showcasing a sunny day on the water.
Two anglers proudly displaying their catch of Lake Trout while fishing on a charter boat.
A family proudly displaying their catch of fish at the dock, featuring a mix of adults and a child, after a successful fishing trip.
Response from Captain
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
0
William Thurston
William Thurston
5.0
Verified
Intuitive
5 Hour Trip (AM) on July 14, 2025 • 4 adults • 1 child
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!
Two anglers proudly displaying their catch of Lake Trout while fishing on a boat, with a scenic waterfront in the background.
An angler proudly displaying a large Lake Trout while fishing on a boat, showcasing a beautiful day on the water.
Two anglers proudly displaying a catch of multiple fish on a board in front of the 'Aluminaut' charter boat, showcasing a successful day of fishing.
An angler proudly displaying a large fish on a boat during a fishing trip, with another person preparing gear in the background.
Two anglers proudly displaying a catch of multiple fish on a board in front of the 'Aluminauti' charter boat, showcasing a successful fishing trip.
The exterior of the 'Aluminauti' boat docked in Duluth, MN, showcasing its fishing setup and spacious design.
Response from Captain
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
1
Mike Booker
Mike Booker
5.0
Verified
Outstanding Trip
5 Hour Trip (AM) on June 9, 2025 • 6 adults
I cannot put into words the great time we had on Lake Superior. The captain and first mate were nothing but professional and very friendly. Will definitely be back.
Response from Captain
June 10, 2025
Hey Mike! Thanks for coming out with Roger and I yesterday. We had a great time, glad to hear you guys did as well. The “Alpine” Crew is welcome on my boat anytime! Take care! -Capt Jamie Cotner
0
Christopher Virta
Christopher Virta
5.0
Verified
Daughter's First Charter Trip
Half Day Trip (PM) on September 21, 2025 • 2 adults
Great experience. The grin on my teen daughter's face holding the first Lake Trout she pulled in was priceless. Couldn't have asked for a better trip.
0
Jeff Hoehn
Jeff Hoehn
5.0
Verified
Awesome Experience
Half Day Trip (PM) on August 22, 2025 • 3 adults
Captain Jamie and 1st mate Bugsy were great, very knowledgeable and personable. Will definitely recommend them and plan to return next year.
A group of anglers aboard a boat, with one proudly displaying a caught fish, likely a species from the local waters.
An angler proudly displaying two Lake Trout while fishing on a boat in clear waters.
Three anglers proudly displaying their catch of trout on a sunny day at the dock, with the boat 'Aluminauti' in the background.
An angler proudly displaying a large Lake Trout while fishing on a boat, showcasing a successful day on the water.
Reported catch:
Lake Trout
0

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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