Merganzer Fishing Charters
Merganzer Fishing Charters
Merganzer Fishing Charters offers full-service fishing experiences at a variety of lengths, heading onto Lake Michigan for Salmon, Trout, and Perch. The focus of each trip is to make sure everyone has a fun and productive time on the water, no matter their age or experience level. So get down to the dock, and get ready for some of the best fishing Lake Michigan has to offer!
There is no better place to enjoy the beauty of the Great Lakes than aboard Captain Daryl's 34 Tiara cruiser. The vessel is large and spacious enough to carry 6 guests in complete comfort, and has an air-conditioned interior with a cabin, galley, enclosed head, and plenty of space to relax in the cool on a hot summer's day.
This is not just some pleasure cruise, however, the vessel has been set up for targeting the best and biggest the lake has to offer, and comes equipped with everything from GPS and Fishfinder to outriggers and downriggers to make sure you get the best angling experience fishing for the delicious fish which inhabit the lake.
The thing that sets Merganzer Fishing Charters apart from the pack is the skill and care with which each trip is run. Captain Daryl has been fishing Lake Michigan for over 30 years, and has been running charters for almost two decades. He is joined on each trip by his energetic and experienced first mate, and the two of them will work with you from the moment you book to make sure your trip is as special as it can be.
All trips come with tackle and bait, just remember to bring your fishing license with all necessary stamps, and a big cooler to take all your catch home in at the end of the day!
Merganzer Fishing Charters offers full-service fishing experiences at a variety of lengths, heading onto Lake Michigan for Salmon, Trout, and Perch. The focus of each trip is to make sure everyone has a fun and productive time on the water, no matter their age or experience level. So get down to the dock, and get ready for some of the best fishing Lake Michigan has to offer!
There is no better place to enjoy the beauty of the Great Lakes than aboard Captain Daryl's 34 Tiara cruiser. The vessel is large and spacious enough to carry 6 guests in complete comfort, and has an air-conditioned interior with a cabin, galley, enclosed head, and plenty of space to relax in the cool on a hot summer's day.
This is not just some pleasure cruise, however, the vessel has been set up for targeting the best and biggest the lake has to offer, and comes equipped with everything from GPS and Fishfinder to outriggers and downriggers to make sure you get the best angling experience fishing for the delicious fish which inhabit the lake.
The thing that sets Merganzer Fishing Charters apart from the pack is the skill and care with which each trip is run. Captain Daryl has been fishing Lake Michigan for over 30 years, and has been running charters for almost two decades. He is joined on each trip by his energetic and experienced first mate, and the two of them will work with you from the moment you book to make sure your trip is as special as it can be.
All trips come with tackle and bait, just remember to bring your fishing license with all necessary stamps, and a big cooler to take all your catch home in at the end of the day!
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Customer reviews
Rating
Anglers' gallery (186)
What anglers say
Reviews (111)
Sean Matheson5.0Verified5 stars isn’t enough
5 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun MAX 4 - 12:00 PM on June 13, 2026 • 4 adultsWe had an absolutely beautiful - and fun - afternoon with Captain Daryl and First Mate Eric. They combine state-of-the-art technology with decades of experience to help us land six good-size cohos (would’ve been even better had we opted for an AM trip). Great conversationalists, too. They in were especially patient and helpful to those members of our party with very little fishing experience. We are already checking calendars for a fall trip. Highly recommend Merganzer!
Bryce Moore5.0VerifiedBook with these guys! You won’t regret it
5 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun MAX 4 - 12:00 PM on July 5, 2026 • 4 adultsCaptain Daryl and Eric were amazing! They want the fish in the boat as much as you do. They worked with us to make sure we got out on a day that most would have canceled and rescheduled but that really wasn’t an option for us. We landed some great fish in tough conditions, my sister caught a monster Steelhead and we landed some sizable Salmon as well. Great day on the lake for sure!
Stuart Hunter5.0VerifiedOne of my best fishing trips, captain and mate were friendly and helpful.
5 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun MAX 3 on July 12, 2026 • 4 adults • 2 childrenWe caught up many fish. Ive never fished for lake trout.. and we caught more than we could handle. We were fished out, in a good way! Arms tired, cooler full. It was an absolute blast out the water
Terre Klucznyk5.0VerifiedAmazing Trip
6 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun MAX 4 - 12:00 PM on June 28, 2026 • 6 adultsCaptain Daryl and is first mate were amazing! They did whatever it took to catch fish! We had such a great time! They instructed and helped in every way! Looking forward to booking next trip
Doug Mota5.0VerifiedGreat Sunday Morning Trip!
5 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun MAX 4 on August 9, 2026 • 4 adultsHad a great trip with Capt. Daryl. caught some king salmon and lake trout. Would book again!
John Goreth5.0VerifiedFirst time out on a Charter
5 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun MAX 3 - 12:00 PM on April 18, 2026 • 2 adultsThe Captain and First Mate were awsome.
Alvin Jorda5.0VerifiedGreat Overall Experience
5 Hour – Sat/Sun 5-6 Persons (PM) on August 23, 2025 • 6 adultsThis was my second time fishing with Captain Daryl and his crew. I brought my friends with me who have never experienced charter fishing at Lake Michigan. Captain Daryl not only caught us fish, but also had us catch only Salmon which is what we wanted to target the whole trip. I will definitely be a returning customer from now on.
Mike Shen5.0VerifiedBest salmon fishing ever!
5 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun MAX 3 - 12:00 PM on June 1, 2025 • 3 adultsI have been fishing for over 45 years, and chartered over 100 trips and this was the best trip I ever had. The captain and his mate were so friendly, it was like going fishing with old friends. I recommend them for families. They made my son and wife feel like they were part of the team. Thank you for a great day!
Richard Bleser5.0VerifiedMerganzer Charters A+
5 Hour – Sat/Sun 5-6 Person (AM) on September 14, 2025 • 5 adultsMy family and I had a great time. Captain Daryl and first mate Parker made us feel welcome and they sure know how to find the fish. We limited out on lake trout in 3 hours. Quite exciting for everyone. We can't wait to do it again.
Michael FitzgeraldRepeat angler5.0VerifiedGreat Day!
5 Hour – Sat/Sun 5-6 Persons (PM) on August 31, 2024 • 4 adults • 1 childThis was a present for my Father in law and it turned out great! We did an afternoon trip that started a little slow but Captain Daryl worked hard to find the fish and he definitely did! We Brought in some monsters! His first mate Eric was great as well and was on top of everything, they were super personable and were also Great with the kids! Will Definitely be going back!!
Rating
Anglers' gallery (186)
What anglers say
All reviews (111)
We had an absolutely beautiful - and fun - afternoon with Captain Daryl and First Mate Eric. They combine state-of-the-art technology with decades of experience to help us land six good-size cohos (would’ve been even better had we opted for an AM trip). Great conversationalists, too. They in were especially patient and helpful to those members of our party with very little fishing experience. We are already checking calendars for a fall trip. Highly recommend Merganzer!
thank you sir!!!!!
Captain Darrel kept us on the fish! Eric was our mate and never stopped working to ensure we had the best opportunity to land fish. They were both very welcoming to our group and we enjoyed spending the morning with them. We caught very nice steelhead and lake trout. Eric had them all cleaned for us before returning to the dock. I highly recommend them and will definately be booking another trip!
Thank you for the kind words , thank you for fishing with us 😊o
Captain Daryl and Eric were amazing! They want the fish in the boat as much as you do. They worked with us to make sure we got out on a day that most would have canceled and rescheduled but that really wasn’t an option for us. We landed some great fish in tough conditions, my sister caught a monster Steelhead and we landed some sizable Salmon as well. Great day on the lake for sure!
Thank you, for being understanding, I hate the weather, I want to fill the boat, I cant control weather of the fish, but we never stop trying , have a great day, thank you for booking with us.
We caught up many fish. Ive never fished for lake trout.. and we caught more than we could handle. We were fished out, in a good way! Arms tired, cooler full. It was an absolute blast out the water
thank you very much that was a great day 😊
Captain Daryl and is first mate were amazing! They did whatever it took to catch fish! We had such a great time! They instructed and helped in every way! Looking forward to booking next trip
thank you for fishing with us 😊
FAQs about Merganzer Fishing Charters
- US $800 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Mon-Fri (PM) 4PPL (5 hours)
- US $800 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun MAX 4 (5 hours)
- US $800 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun MAX 4 - 12:00 PM (5 hours)
- US $800 per group - 6 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun MAX 3 (6 hours)
- US $800 per group - 6 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun MAX 3 - 12:00 PM (6 hours)
- US $850 per group - 5 Hour – Sat/Sun 5-6 Person (AM) (5 hours)
- US $850 per group - 5 Hour – Sat/Sun 5-6 Persons (PM) (5 hours)
- US $850 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Friday 5-6 people (5 hours)
- US $850 per group - 5 Hour Trip – Mon-Thur (PM) 5-6 ppl (5 hours)
- US $900 per group - 6 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun MAX 4 (6 hours)
- US $900 per group - 6 Hour Trip – Sat/Sun MAX 4 - 12:00 PM (6 hours)
- US $950 per group - 6 Hour – Sat-Sun 5-6 Persons (PM) (6 hours)
- US $950 per group - 6 Hour – Sat/Sun 5-6 Persons (AM) (6 hours)
- US $950 per group - 6 Hour Trip Labor Day 5-11am 5-6pl (6 hours)
- US $1,140 per group - 8 Hour Trip – Fri/Sat/Sun (MAX 6) (8 hours)
- Toilet We have an in closed electric toilet
- GPS Ray Marine Axiom
- Fishfinder Ray Marine Axiom
- Bed
- Kitchen
- Refrigerator
- Multimedia system
- Outriggers
- Ice box
- Radar Doppler 2 Ray Marine
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Lures
- First mate (First mate works for tips)
- Lake fishing
- Trolling
- Spinning
- Jigging
- Lake Trout
- Perch (Yellow)
- Salmon
- Salmon (Chinook)
- Salmon (Coho)
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