GO-FOR-IT Charters 

5.0
(37 reviews)
 North Point Drive 701, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096, United States–

GO-FOR-IT Charters 

Winthrop Harbor, IL, United States
–
39 ft
6
5.0
(37 reviews)

If fishing in Winthrop Harbor is on your bucket list, look no further than GOFORIT Charters. With Captain Mike at the helm, you're in knowledgeable and experienced hands.

Depending on conditions, you might hook into Brown Trout, Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Lake Trout, and who knows what else! On these trips, you can expect to troll and bottom fish using light or heavy tackle. Any fish within the legal limit is yours to keep. Catch cleaning is available for $2.00 a fish.

Trips with GOFORIT Charters are child-friendly, so feel free to make a family day out of it! Children must wear life vests, so find out if the appropriate size is available on board. Don't forget to bring snacks, drinks, sunglasses, and sunblock (non-spray). Alcohol is allowed in moderation, so long as you avoid glass bottles.

You'll be welcome aboard The Magnum, a 36' Tiara offshore sport fishing that holds up to 6 passengers. It comes with outriggers, downriggers, and all the essentials, plus a toilet on board for your convenience. What's more, this vessel is wheelchair accessible. Rods, reels, and tackle are covered by the charter, as well as lures.

Trips are run with the help of a First Mate. A 10–20% tip is customary to show your appreciation for their hard work. You'll need to bring a valid State of Illinois fishing license along with a Lake Michigan Salmon stamp. You can purchase it online or ask the captain for more info.

The click of a button is the only thing keeping you from a great day on the water with GOFORIT Charters!

If fishing in Winthrop Harbor is on your bucket list, look no further than GOFORIT Charters. With Captain Mike at the helm, you're in knowledgeable and experienced hands.

Depending on conditions, you might hook into Brown Trout, Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Lake Trout, and who knows what else! On these trips, you can expect to troll and bottom fish using light or heavy tackle. Any fish within the legal limit is yours to keep. Catch cleaning is available for $2.00 a fish.

Trips with GOFORIT Charters are child-friendly, so feel free to make a family day out of it! Children must wear life vests, so find out if the appropriate size is available on board. Don't forget to bring snacks, drinks, sunglasses, and sunblock (non-spray). Alcohol is allowed in moderation, so long as you avoid glass bottles.

You'll be welcome aboard The Magnum, a 36' Tiara offshore sport fishing that holds up to 6 passengers. It comes with outriggers, downriggers, and all the essentials, plus a toilet on board for your convenience. What's more, this vessel is wheelchair accessible. Rods, reels, and tackle are covered by the charter, as well as lures.

Trips are run with the help of a First Mate. A 10–20% tip is customary to show your appreciation for their hard work. You'll need to bring a valid State of Illinois fishing license along with a Lake Michigan Salmon stamp. You can purchase it online or ask the captain for more info.

The click of a button is the only thing keeping you from a great day on the water with GOFORIT Charters!

Michael Dolinar
Captain
Michael Dolinar
35 years of experience
ID & credentials verified
responds within an hour

Select date to see availability

Trip date:
Group Size:
November 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
6 Hour Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 5:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 15 - Oct 20 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
Salmon (Chinook)
+1
US $320
Entire boat: 2 people
6 Hour Trip (PM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 11:30 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 15 - Sep 1 (Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun)
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
Salmon (Chinook)
+1
US $320
Entire boat: 2 people
8 Hour Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 5:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 15 - Oct 20 (Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun)
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
Salmon (Chinook)
+1
US $400
Entire boat: 2 people
6 Hour Trip (AM) 1-3 people
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 5:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 15 - Oct 15 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
Salmon (Chinook)
+1
US $725
Entire boat: up to 3 people
5 hour trip (PM) 4 person
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
5 hour trip starts at 11:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 15 - Sep 1 (Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun)
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
Salmon (Chinook)
+1
US $800
Entire boat: up to 4 people
6 Hour Trip (AM) 4 Person
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 5:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 15 - Oct 20 (Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun)
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
Salmon (Chinook)
+1
US $840
Entire boat: up to 4 people
6 Hour Trip (PM) 4 person
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 11:30 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 15 - Sep 1 (Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun)
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
Salmon (Chinook)
+1
US $840
Entire boat: up to 4 people
5 Hour Trip (AM) 6 person
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
5 hour trip starts at 5:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 15 - Oct 26 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
Salmon (Chinook)
+1
US $900
Entire boat: up to 6 people
8 Hour Trip (AM) 4 People
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 5:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 15 - Oct 20 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
Salmon (Chinook)
+1
US $1,100
Entire boat: up to 4 people

Customer reviews

Loading...

Rating

5.0
37 reviews
5.0
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (44)

What anglers say

95%
Recommended
100%
Caught fish

Reviews (37)

  • Brian Lukaszczyk
    Brian Lukaszczyk
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    5 stars across the board!

    5 Hour Trip (AM) 6 person on October 3, 2026 • 6 adults

    Had an awesome time on the Magnum! The crew was professional, friendly, and clearly knew what they were doing. We caught a TON of fish throughout the trip, and they kept us moving and on the bite the entire time. The boat was clean, comfortable, and well maintained, and the gear was top-notch. Everything was ready to go when we stepped on board, which made the whole experience easy and stress-free. What really stood out was Captain Mike. He was knowledgeable, helpful, and genuinely wanted everyone to have a great time. They knew where to go, how to keep us on the fish, and were always there to help when needed. Great boat, great gear, great crew, and even better fishing. If you’re looking for a charter, I’d definitely recommend GOFORIT charter. We’ll absolutely be booking another trip!

  • Viktor Dubei
    Viktor Dubei
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Amazing fishing trip!

    6 Hour Trip (AM) on August 29, 2026 • 6 adults

    We had an absolutely great experience with the captain and his mate. Communication before the trip was clear, quick, and easy. The captain even suggested moving our departure time 30 minutes earlier to make the most of the morning bite — and it definitely paid off! The fishing was incredibly successful: we landed 20 fish and had several more get away. What made it even better was that only two people in our group had ever been on this type of fishing trip before. The captain and his mate were patient, helpful, and made sure everyone knew what to do and had a chance to catch fish. Great crew, great atmosphere, and an unforgettable day on the water. We would definitely book with them again and highly recommend this trip!

  • Mike Bishop
    Mike Bishop
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Fantastic day on the water

    6 Hour Trip (PM) on August 8, 2026 • 6 adults

    I highly recommended GO-FOR-IT Charters for any group lookin' to catch some big, good eat'n fish on Lake Michigan. Captain Michael Dolinar has a top-notch chrater boat and he put us on the fish, and made it a whole lot of fun doing it. I was also very impressed with how accommodating Captain Mike was by letting us reschedule a couple times prior, due to less than optimal weather forcasted. The First Mate on board, Jordan, was very helpful and can fillet a salmon crazy fast. By the way Jordan, congrats on the Marriage!! I hope it was a very nice wedding, cheers. By the way, we did the 6 hr afternoon trip and bagged 17 big ones between the 5 of us, including King salmon, coho salmon, rainbow trout and lake trout. Thanks fellas, see you next time.

  • Chad Hawkinson
    Chad Hawkinson
    Repeat angler
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2022
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    One word - PRICELESS!!

    6 Hour Trip (PM) 4 person on May 24, 2026 • 3 adults

    Stop scrolling and book your trip with them! You wont regret the decision. I booked this trip to celebrate my sons HS graduation. All four of us limited out with time to spare. We drove several hours for this trip so lots of anticipation to say the least. When we showed up at the dock, they were 100% prepped and ready to go. We were in the fish right away with the first fish caught within the first 10 minutes. 1st Mate was awesome too. He had us reeling the fish in before we even knew there was a fish on the line. Once we had our limit and a picture, he went to town cleaning and bagging them for us before we got to the dock. We had an absolute blast of a time. Relaxing but exciting all in one trip! Thank you for a great day on the water and an experince we will never forget.

  • Graham Curchin
    Graham Curchin
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Go-for-it-NOW

    5 Hour Trip (AM) 6 person on May 25, 2026 • 3 adults

    We had a great morning with Capt. Mike and 1st Mate Andy. They were extremely knowledgeable and constantly vigilant. Good stories and great fishing. We caught our limit! They walked us through everything we needed know and were patient when we weren’t quite sure. Definitely a rebook. Easy access from North Chicago suburbs.

  • Randell Cozzolino
    Randell Cozzolino
    Repeat angler
    us
    Arizona, US
    Member since 2026
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Went for it again on Go-For-It!

    6 Hour Trip (AM) 4 Person on August 22, 2026 • 4 adults

    Booked my second charter of the 2026 season with Captain Michael with Go-For-It charters. Awesome boat and seasoned crew got us busy reeling in the King’s! Even the novices in our group caught fish. Will be booking another trip before season’s end. I highly recommend Go-For-It charters.

  • Randell Cozzolino
    Randell Cozzolino
    Repeat angler
    us
    Arizona, US
    Member since 2026
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Went for it with Go-For-It

    5 hour trip (PM) 4 person on June 13, 2026 • 4 adults

    What a great small group fishing trip. We caught our limit of Salmon, cranked up the stereo, and enjoyed our time aboard. Captain Michael and his Firstmate Andy are well seasoned and kept us busy reeling in fish. I will definitely be booking another trip with Go-For-It.

  • Mark Valverde
    Mark Valverde
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Super fishing trip

    5 hour trip (PM) 4 person on May 23, 2026 • 3 adults

    We were reeling fish in within 30 minutes. Caught the limit. Lots of fun. would recommend.

  • David Blackmore
    David Blackmore
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great trip!

    6 Hour Trip (PM) 4 person on August 22, 2026 • 4 adults

    Great trip! Will recommend! Thanks Capt Mike! Andy was great too!

  • Scott Smith
    Scott Smith
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    caught 20 salmon. awesome!

    6 Hour Trip (AM) on June 13, 2026 • 6 adults

    Great experience. team really are professionals at their craft.

FAQs about GO-FOR-IT Charters

GO-FOR-IT Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $160 per person - 6 Hour Trip (AM) (6 hours)
  • US $160 per person - 6 Hour Trip (PM) (6 hours)
  • US $200 per person - 8 Hour Trip (AM) (8 hours)
  • US $725 per group, additional US $115 per person after 3 guests - 6 Hour Trip (AM) 1-3 people (6 hours)
  • US $800 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - 5 hour trip (PM) 4 person (5 hours)
  • US $840 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - 6 Hour Trip (AM) 4 Person (6 hours)
  • US $840 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - 6 Hour Trip (PM) 4 person (6 hours)
  • US $900 per group - 5 Hour Trip (AM) 6 person (5 hours)
  • US $1,100 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - 8 Hour Trip (AM) 4 People (8 hours)
When you book a trip with GO-FOR-IT Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet The Magnum is equipped with a vacu flush marine toilet in a private bathroom
  • Air conditioning
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Bed
  • Kitchen
  • Refrigerator
  • Multimedia system
  • Outriggers
  • Ice box
  • Radar
Trips booked with GO-FOR-IT Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
  • First mate (A first mate will be available upon request )
GO-FOR-IT Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Lake fishing
  • Inshore fishing
  • Nearshore fishing
  • Offshore fishing (The distance offshore we travel all depends on the time of year and how the lake sets up for summer fishing. We can fish from right outside the harbor all the way to 10-15 miles out. We go wherever we need to go to produce the best catches of fish. )
GO-FOR-IT Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Heavy tackle
  • Bottom fishing
  • Trolling
Top targeted fish species with GO-FOR-IT Charters include:
  • Brown Trout
  • Lake Trout
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Coho)

Your captain

Michael Dolinar
Michael Dolinar
Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, United States
5 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
37 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since April 2023
My name is Captain Mike Dolinar, and I am the owner and operator of GOFORIT Charters, located in Winthrop Harbor, IL, inside Northpoint Marina, one of the best places to fish on Lake Michigan. I grew up fishing the Great Lakes with my father, starting when I was 10 years old. Fishing tournaments and charter fishing were in my blood from an early age and quickly became a way of life!
Michael Dolinar
Michael Dolinar
Fully verified
5
reports
37
reviews
2023
member since
~1h
response
My name is Captain Mike Dolinar, and I am the owner and operator of GOFORIT Charters, located in Winthrop Harbor, IL, inside Northpoint Marina, one of the best places to fish on Lake Michigan. I grew up fishing the Great Lakes with my father, starting when I was 10 years old. Fishing tournaments and charter fishing were in my blood from an early age and quickly became a way of life!

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

  • Group of anglers posing aboard an offshore fishing boat with a large assortment of fish arranged across the deck.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Lake Trout
    Brian L.
    Brian L.
    Had an awesome time on the Magnum! The crew was professional, friendly, and clearly knew what they were doing. We caught a TON of fish throughout the trip, and they kept us moving and on the bite the entire time. The boat was clean, comfortable, and well maintained, and the gear was top-notch. Everything was ready to go when we stepped on board, which made the whole experience easy and stress-free. What really stood out was Captain Mike. He was knowledgeable, helpful, and genuinely wanted everyone to have a great time. They knew where to go, how to keep us on the fish, and were always there to help when needed. Great boat, great gear, great crew, and even better fishing. If you’re looking for a charter, I’d definitely recommend GOFORIT charter. We’ll absolutely be booking another trip!
  • Group of anglers posing on a fishing boat with a successful catch of multiple Snapper, showcasing their haul against a backdrop of the open sea.
    A great morning trout fishing today
  • A group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of Salmon on a fishing charter, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Coho Salmon
    Viktor D.
    Viktor D.
    We had an absolutely great experience with the captain and his mate. Communication before the trip was clear, quick, and easy. The captain even suggested moving our departure time 30 minutes earlier to make the most of the morning bite — and it definitely paid off! The fishing was incredibly successful: we landed 20 fish and had several more get away. What made it even better was that only two people in our group had ever been on this type of fishing trip before. The captain and his mate were patient, helpful, and made sure everyone knew what to do and had a chance to catch fish. Great crew, great atmosphere, and an unforgettable day on the water. We would definitely book with them again and highly recommend this trip!
  • Group of anglers posing with a large display of salmon hanging on the stern rail of a sportfishing boat at sea.
    Fish 1
    Chinook Salmon
    Randell C.
    Randell C.
    Booked my second charter of the 2026 season with Captain Michael with Go-For-It charters. Awesome boat and seasoned crew got us busy reeling in the King’s! Even the novices in our group caught fish. Will be booking another trip before season’s end. I highly recommend Go-For-It charters.
  • A group of four anglers proudly displaying their catch of several fish on a fishing charter in open waters.
    Fish 1
    Lake Trout
    David B.
    David B.
    Great trip! Will recommend! Thanks Capt Mike! Andy was great too!
  • A group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of salmon on a fishing charter, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Coho Salmon
    Mike B.
    Mike B.
    I highly recommended GO-FOR-IT Charters for any group lookin' to catch some big, good eat'n fish on Lake Michigan. Captain Michael Dolinar has a top-notch chrater boat and he put us on the fish, and made it a whole lot of fun doing it. I was also very impressed with how accommodating Captain Mike was by letting us reschedule a couple times prior, due to less than optimal weather forcasted. The First Mate on board, Jordan, was very helpful and can fillet a salmon crazy fast. By the way Jordan, congrats on the Marriage!! I hope it was a very nice wedding, cheers. By the way, we did the 6 hr afternoon trip and bagged 17 big ones between the 5 of us, including King salmon, coho salmon, rainbow trout and lake trout. Thanks fellas, see you next time.
  • Group of anglers posing aboard an offshore fishing boat beside a large display of salmon and fishing rods.
    Fish 1
    Coho Salmon
    Randell C.
    Randell C.
    What a great small group fishing trip. We caught our limit of Salmon, cranked up the stereo, and enjoyed our time aboard. Captain Michael and his Firstmate Andy are well seasoned and kept us busy reeling in fish. I will definitely be booking another trip with Go-For-It.
  • A group of anglers proudly posing on a boat with their catch of several trout laid out on the deck after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Coho Salmon
    Scott S.
    Scott S.
    Great experience. team really are professionals at their craft.
  • A family proudly displaying their catch of salmon on a fishing charter, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Coho Salmon
    Graham C.
    Graham C.
    We had a great morning with Capt. Mike and 1st Mate Andy. They were extremely knowledgeable and constantly vigilant. Good stories and great fishing. We caught our limit! They walked us through everything we needed know and were patient when we weren’t quite sure. Definitely a rebook. Easy access from North Chicago suburbs.
  • A group of four anglers proudly displaying their catch of multiple fish on the deck of a fishing boat, enjoying a successful day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Spanish Mackerel
    Chad H.
    Chad H.
    Stop scrolling and book your trip with them! You wont regret the decision. I booked this trip to celebrate my sons HS graduation. All four of us limited out with time to spare. We drove several hours for this trip so lots of anticipation to say the least. When we showed up at the dock, they were 100% prepped and ready to go. We were in the fish right away with the first fish caught within the first 10 minutes. 1st Mate was awesome too. He had us reeling the fish in before we even knew there was a fish on the line. Once we had our limit and a picture, he went to town cleaning and bagging them for us before we got to the dock. We had an absolute blast of a time. Relaxing but exciting all in one trip! Thank you for a great day on the water and an experince we will never forget.

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Sportfishing boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
39 ft
Year built
1989
Boat manufacturer
Tiara
Boat type
Sportfishing
Engine model
Crusader
Powered by
2 x 425HP
Max cruising speed
30 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Lake Fishing
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling

Which amenities are available onboard

Toilet
The Magnum is equipped with a vacu flush marine toilet in a private bathroom
Air conditioning
GPS
Fishfinder
Bed
Kitchen
Refrigerator
Multimedia system
Outriggers
Ice box
Radar
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
First mate
A first mate will be available upon request

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 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
Kids are always welcome we provide a kid friendly environment and are always eager to teach the next generation about nature and the amazing resources that sit just offshore on Lake Michigan.
You keep catch
Disabled accessible

How you can pay

Pay online in full
Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.
No additional fees.
Book with 15% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 15% 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
 PayPal
 Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 5% 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)

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