NEWS ON THE SALMON AND LAKE TROUT FISHING IN SAINT JOSEPH, MICHIGAN

Greetings from Big Bird Charters and the Conder family,

With 2017 behind us, the 2018 fishing season cannot come quick enough. We had a great time fishing and getting to know our new clientele, as well as knocking back another year with our "regulars" and adding to the memories. We look forward to seeing all of you again and extend our appreciation and gratitude for selecting Big Bird Charters as your fishing adventure. We would love to receive any pictures that you all may have from past fishing seasons as it's hard for us to capture all the action while working the back deck.

For a breakdown of the general fishing season to help with planning a future trip check out our Excursions page.

Thank you to all that were a part of our 2017 season and we look forward to earning your business and camaraderie in 2017!  Thank you for checking out our website www.bigbirdcharters.com.  Drop us a line and let us know what you think!  Become a fan on www.facebook.com/bigbirdcharters and follow the "action".  We would love to hear your feedback and any “likes” and “shares” are greatly appreciated.  Wishing a bountiful cooler of fish to all. Let’s make 2018 a good one!

SPRING 2017

While fishing can be mysteriously unpredictable at times, our guests have reeled in some quality fish resulting in mouth-watering tastiness on the grill!  The Spring Coho Salmon and King Salmon flurry didn’t last as long as previous years, but the catch rates were great!  From the beginning of May to the first week of June we had an overall range of 8-20 fish per trip.  When the Coho are feeding like crazy, they make up the big numbers in quantity.  When the spring Kings set in they provide the brute quality of the catch.  Typically we start off the season fishing shallow water, but not the case this time around.  We found ourselves fishing in 180 to 300 foot of water.  We targeted fish in the top 40 foot as well as 150 foot down in the water column.  

SUMMER 2017

From June to July the fishing required deeper water fishing as well.  Some days we were fishing as far out as 300 foot of water.  Although the fishing had its inconsistencies from day to day, we tapped into the Kings, Coho and Steelhead.  Lake Trout were more prevelant from mid-June through the end of our fishing season.

LATE SUMMER/FALL 2017

From July through September, the bigger adult King Salmon have started to trickle in.  Along with the Kings(also called Chinook Salmon), bigger Steelhead and Lake Trout are striking our lines with the summer feeding.  Lake Trout are always more prevalent in the middle summer months and there are some “hogs” out there ranging from 8-20 pounds. 

Our highly revered Steelhead, also known as a hybrid of Rainbow Trout made their first run into shallower waters and into the river at the beginning of July.  There were also a few King Salmon mixed in.  We had a hard blowing East wind which "flipped" the lake and brought cold water near our shore line.  Generally speaking, these fish prefer water temps ranging from 44 to 54 degree water.  Cold water plus bait fish usually equals great fishing.  Pier head fishing can be a bit chaotic with all of the other boats, but it is quite thrilling!  They are still out there and we are still hooking up with these unpredictable, sky-rocketing, line peeling fish!

The season is not over yet and we expect to see even bigger King Salmon as they are always feeding and growing bigger.  Steelhead and Lake Trout also await our tasty bait to strike upon.  We love our fishing and we love our clients.  We do our very best to provide an unforgettable experience and develop a personal relationship with everyone that steps aboard Big Bird Fishing Charters.  Thanks to our regulars, thanks to our first-timers, and thanks to our future guests! 

Fish on,                                                                                                     

Capt. Jim and Capt. Eric