Captain
Tim Hyvonen

Member since August 2016 Oak Creek, United States
Background
I started fishing at a very early age and landed my first Brown Trout out of the Root River at 5 years old and I was hooked. For the past 25 years, I have learned and created different techniques that have produced fish time and time again. After spending three years in the Coast Guard I came back home and started my own business, WIFinlander Guide Service, with a focus in springtime Steelhead in the rivers of Lake Michigan. I spent a few years fishing with other tournament fishermen and other charter captains learning the ropes and in 2014, I bought my first boat and started trolling on Lake Michigan and did very well in my first Salmon A Rama out of my own boat. Since then, I have continued to learn and progress and last fall I decided to embark on getting my Captains License. There is no better feeling than seeing the smile on someone's face who just caught either their first or biggest Trout/Salmon.
Techniques
During the spring and summer I use trolling as my primary method to target and catch trout and salmon. In the fall I pull out the Shimano spinning rods and jig for staging chinooks, cohos and brown trout.

Hey, I'm Captain Tim Hyvonen

Oak Creek, United States
Background
I started fishing at a very early age and landed my first Brown Trout out of the Root River at 5 years old and I was hooked. For the past 25 years, I have learned and created different techniques that have produced fish time and time again. After spending three years in the Coast Guard I came back home and started my own business, WIFinlander Guide Service, with a focus in springtime Steelhead in the rivers of Lake Michigan. I spent a few years fishing with other tournament fishermen and other charter captains learning the ropes and in 2014, I bought my first boat and started trolling on Lake Michigan and did very well in my first Salmon A Rama out of my own boat. Since then, I have continued to learn and progress and last fall I decided to embark on getting my Captains License. There is no better feeling than seeing the smile on someone's face who just caught either their first or biggest Trout/Salmon.
Techniques
During the spring and summer I use trolling as my primary method to target and catch trout and salmon. In the fall I pull out the Shimano spinning rods and jig for staging chinooks, cohos and brown trout.
Verified
vob.svg
Veteran owned

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.8 / 5
(64 reviews)
Oak Creek
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $250

Fishing Reports

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 64 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (57)
Total blast
Total blast
Tim was great!
+54
Angler rating
52
7
0
2
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
87%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
94%
Appropriate for children
89%
Satisfied with the boat
96%
Caught fish
83%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 64 reviews
Oliver N.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Total blast

VERIFIED   NEW  5 Hour Trip (AM) on May 9, 2026
I booked this charter for me and my grandma for her Christmas present. Tim was an excellent captain and fun to fish with. This...
Oliver N. recommends WIFinlander Guide Service
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Tim Hyvonen Captain replied

Stephen S.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Sometimes you canโ€™t control the fish

VERIFIED   5 Hour Trip (AM) on July 2, 2025
Would highly recommend. Captain Tim is extremely knowledgeable, personable, and was a great guide for my family of three, and...
Stephen S. recommends WIFinlander Guide Service
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Stephen S. recommends WIFinlander Guide Service
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Norah B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Amazing!

VERIFIED   5 Hour Trip (AM) on April 11, 2026
This charter was amazing! Tim is GREAT! He is extremely knowledgeable and will make sure you catch fish and have a great experience...
Norah B. recommends WIFinlander Guide Service
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Tim Hyvonen Captain replied

Jack H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Tim was great!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip - Inland Mixed Bag on April 25, 2026
Tim was informative and took us fishing for trout & coho salmon. He did a great job.
Jack H. recommends WIFinlander Guide Service
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Tim Hyvonen Captain replied

Nico I.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Knowledgeable Guide with a Lifetime of Experience

VERIFIED   Special 2 hour trip for Nico Ipeker on October 16, 2025
Capt. Tim was a great time, brought us right to the fish and swapped stories the whole time. Even accommodated my very tight...
Nico I. recommends WIFinlander Guide Service
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Tim Hyvonen Captain replied