Blue Ribbon Outdoors

Blue Ribbon Outdoors operates the Tule Marie, a 40-foot Tollycraft Sport Sedan—the largest full-time charter boat in Milwaukee. Built in Seattle, these boats are rare on the Great Lakes and known for their quality construction and fish-catching hulls.

Milwaukee's central location on Lake Michigan means Coho salmon fishing peaks May-June, while July through September brings King (Chinook) salmon, Steelhead, and Lake Trout. A large cabin lets you escape rough weather when needed.

Fully guided ice fishing on the Madison chain of lakes targets panfish, perch, walleye, and pike. All trips include transportation via amphibious 6-wheeled vehicles (they float for safety), heated portable shacks, and top-line equipment updated yearly—Vexilar and Humminbird electronics, custom-built Fish Boy's rods, and live bait.

Guides stay with your group the entire time, not just drop you off. Full-day trips include lunch cooked on the ice.

Open water layout hunting on Lake Michigan is classic waterfowling using specialized equipment. Blue Ribbon targets diver ducks and sea ducks (Long Tail and Scoters from Hudson Bay). They run Layout Addictions boats—all-welded aluminum craft built to handle rough water.

Sea duck hunts are weather dependent; on average only 1 of 3 offshore days is safe. If conditions turn rough, you'll hunt diver ducks in protected locations instead.

• •2023 Duck Hunt Pricing: $900 (1-2 people) | $350 per person (3-5 people) | All hunts are 6 hours or limit

Caption Austin handles bookings at 608-698-3332. Deposits required: $100 for fishing/duck hunts, $500 for multi-boat trips. PayPal prepayment available for confirmed bookings.