Top Dog Charters
5.0/5 (9 beoordelingen)
3600 recreation drive, Chicago, IL , Chicago, IL 60657, Verenigde Staten–
3600 recreation drive, Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL, Verenigde Staten
Come fishing for Salmon & Trout on Lake Michigan (departing Belmont harbor Chicago). Captain Jason has 45 + years experience Charter Fishing Lake Michigan.
There are 5 species of fish often caught, brown, rainbow & lake trout & coho & king Salmon. Pink & Atlantic Salmon are in Lake but rarely caught.
We have the latest suite of Garmin fish finding electronics, three graphs, chart plotters, regular 2 D, & live view, sonar, & radar. We use Shimano Telora rods & Tekota reels kept full with the best line & terminal tackle. Cannon Tournament Series downriggers pair via blue tooth to our Fish Hawk speed & temperature probe (surface & down troll).
For your enjoyment, bring along your favorite playlist (smart phone) & pair up with our Fusion marine entertainment system, bluetooth capable stereo, listen to your music while we fish. Kids Welcome.
Safety is our #1 priority, going above & beyond US Coast Guard & state DNR regulation requirements. Ask Captain for more info on safety features. Bring what you want to eat & drink & a cooler to take your catch home. Yes we fillet your catch, it is customary to tip Captain & crew. We do not gut/steak fish. You may take your fish home whole. Captain is a skilled artist, if you have a catch you’d like to remember, ask him about painting your fish in Japanese style!
You’ll be trolling from our 2008 Tiara 3000 open sportfishing model, at 33 feet overall in length it has the widest beam in it’s category, at 12.5 feet. There is a toilet on board for your convenience. You will need to purchase a local IL fishing license & Salmon stamp before the trip. One day licenses are available online plan ahead.
Bring soft soled shoes, sunglasses and a windbreaker/rain jacket & hat. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, please avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles. No bananas. We are a drug free boat. Captain & crew must take random drug tests. c’mon lets go, call us today & book a trip!!! Downpayment required to reserve your date.
Customer reviews
Beoordelingsoverzicht
Boot
5.0/5
Crew
5.0/5
Ervaring
5.0/5
Photos & videos by reviewers (28)
+25Beoordeling van Vissers
9
0
0
0
0
Vissers beweerden
Goede ervaring
100%
Geschikt voor kinderen
100%
Vriendelijke schipper
100%
Tevreden met de boot
100%
Beveel deze charter aan
100%
Gevangen vis
100%
Weergegeven 1 - 5 van 9 beoordelingen
Weergave: 5 van 9 beoordelingen
Ron Shirmulis
5.0
Verified
What a Fishing Trip!!!!
5 Hr Trip Weekday Afternoon 6 max on August 13, 2025 • 3 adults
Took my grandson (14 years old) and his aunt out for a day of real fishing. We're all novices to the sport of fishing, catching only bluegills and a few bass in a small pond. But this was the "big time" on Lake Michigan. Capt Jason and his crew made every effort for us to catch fish...... and they came thru!!!! He gave us instructions on how to work the fish and how to reel in the catch; it was a workout!!!! We caught some good size Lake Trout and some salmon. It was a day and a trip that we'll never forget!!! We're already talking about another trip with Capt Jason later this season or early next year, setting our sites on catching some more big ones!!!
Reported catch:
1
Mia Zifkin
5.0
Verified
Amazing experience!
5 Hr Trip WEEKEND AFTERNOON 6 Max on June 29, 2025 • 1 adult • 1 child
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We had such an incredible experience with Top Dog Fishing Charter! I brought my 15-year-old son and his friend, and it was hands down one of the highlights of their summer. From the moment we stepped on the boat, the crew made us feel welcome, safe, and completely taken care of.
The captain was not only professional and experienced, but also patient and fun—he took the time to teach the boys some new techniques and kept the energy high the entire trip. They were both absolutely thrilled to catch some amazing fish and learn so much along the way.
It’s not easy to impress teenagers, but Top Dog delivered a day they’ll be talking about for a long time. Highly recommend for families, especially if you’re looking for something memorable and exciting for your teens. We’ll definitely be back!
Reported catch:
Response from Captain
July 3, 2025
Thank you so much for booking a day on the water with us, we are so happy we could be a part of you and your sons (and his friend) memories. Also thank you for the good review, kind words and attention to the standard that I strive to maintain... not only in service and catching fish, but, in safety and also just having a fun time. Hope to see you back again some day soon. Give us a call any time. Capt JB.
0
David Jett
5.0
Verified
Hard work pays off
5 Hr Trip Weekday Afternoon 6 max on June 26, 2025 • 3 adults
Jason & Mike worked together like a team. The fishing was tough. However they kept after it. Different colors, changing depths, reversing direction… Then in the last hour it turned on with 5 more fish. Our last one was a 20 lbs Lake Trout. It took 20 minutes to get it in the boat. Those 2 worked hard and it made the difference of us catching 1-2 versus 7 on a tough day. Wonderful boat, great equipment, and good company. Would highly recommend this charter with Top Dog!
Reported catch:
Response from Captain
June 27, 2025
David, thank you much, we enjoyed working hard to make sure you and your crew had a great time out on the water. We appreciated you and your guys patience and positivity. We finally made it all come together for a successful day. Come fish / hunt with us anytime, I hope it's soon. Captain Jason
0
Cynthia Pince
5.0
Verified
What a great way to celebrate our Dad!
6 Hr Trip Weekend AFTERNOON 6 Max on June 15, 2025 • 6 adults
Screaming from the rooftops that Top Dog Charters is the best! Captain Jason Baldwin and Jacques (or as we all called him, Son) were fantastic! Their energy, passion, dedication and hard work to ensure that we understood all aspects of the trip (equipment, technology, techniques, types of fish caught) were amazing and they were more than happy to answer all our questions. They worked tirelessly to get us setup to successfully catch fish and we appreciated every bit of it. We lost some but we caught a lot more than we lost. Let me also mention how clean they kept the charter, always spraying down after every catch. Grateful that they also cleaned, filleted and packed our catch. They definitely go the extra mile!! Thank you so much for making our first fishing trip and our Dad’s Father’s Day so special. We wish you much success and highly recommend you to all!
Reported catch:
Response from Captain
June 20, 2025
Cynthia, thank you so much for booking us on Fathers Day. I really appreciate your kind words and review, thank you so much. I'm very happy your Dad caught 3 different species of fish, that is not always possible. Jacques and I enjoyed your family and hope you come back again sometime soon. So happy you had a wonderful time, and appreciated our efforts. Thank you for your generosity, come back fishing with us any time. Sincerely, Capt. Jason and.... my son, :) Jacques
0
Cole Genschaw
5.0
Verified
Great Time!
5 Hour Trip – Weekend MORNING 6 Max on June 20, 2025 • 6 adults
Captain Jason was very professional and got us on the fish quickly. Awesome boat and all the gear was top of the line. Highly recommend!
Response from Captain
June 24, 2025
Cole, thank you very much, we enjoyed your crew and glad we got everyone fish.
0
Trip availability and prices
Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
December 2025
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loading...
Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
8 Hour Trip – TOURNAMENT CREW for 1
Low rate deposit non-refundable
8 Hour Trip
starts at 5:30 AM
Seasonal trip
Jun 16 - Jun 16 (Mon)
US $900
Entire boat: 2 people
US $900
Entire boat: 2 people
8 Hour Trip – TOURNAMENT CREW for 2
Low rate deposit non-refundable
8 Hour Trip
starts at 5:30 AM
Seasonal trip
Jun 16 - Jun 16 (Mon)
US $900
Entire boat: up to 6 people
US $900
Entire boat: up to 6 people
5 Hr Trip Weekday Afternoon 6 max
Low rate deposit non-refundable
5 Hour Trip
starts at 1:00 PM
Seasonal trip
May 6 - Sep 20 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu)
US $995
Entire boat: up to 6 people
US $995
Entire boat: up to 6 people
5 Hr Trip Weekday MORNING 6 Max
Low rate deposit non-refundable
5 Hour Trip
starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip
May 6 - Aug 31 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu)
US $1,095
Entire boat: up to 6 people
US $1,095
Entire boat: up to 6 people
5 Hr Trip WEEKEND AFTERNOON 6 Max
Low rate deposit non-refundable
5 Hour Trip
starts at 12:00 PM
Seasonal trip
May 6 - Sep 20 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
US $1,095
Entire boat: up to 6 people
US $1,095
Entire boat: up to 6 people
6 Hr Trip Weekday AFTERNOON 6 Max
Low rate deposit non-refundable
6 Hour Trip
starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip
May 6 - Sep 20 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu)
US $1,145
Entire boat: up to 6 people
US $1,145
Entire boat: up to 6 people
5 Hour Trip – Weekend MORNING 6 Max
Low rate deposit non-refundable
5 Hour Trip
starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip
May 6 - Sep 20 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
US $1,195
Entire boat: up to 6 people
US $1,195
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Weekday Morning 6 hour Charter
Low rate deposit non-refundable
6 Hour Trip
starts at 5:30 AM
Seasonal trip
(Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu)
US $1,250
Entire boat: up to 6 people
US $1,250
Entire boat: up to 6 people
6 Hr Trip Weekday MORNING 6 Max
Low rate deposit non-refundable
6 Hour Trip
starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip
May 6 - Sep 20 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu)
US $1,250
Entire boat: up to 6 people
US $1,250
Entire boat: up to 6 people
6 Hr Trip Weekend MORNING 6 Max
Low rate deposit non-refundable
6 Hour Trip
starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip
(Fri, Sat, Sun)
US $1,295
Entire boat: up to 6 people
US $1,295
Entire boat: up to 6 people
6 Hr Trip Weekend AFTERNOON 6 Max
Low rate deposit non-refundable
6 Hour Trip
starts at 12:00 PM
Seasonal trip
May 6 - Sep 20 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
US $1,295
Entire boat: up to 6 people
US $1,295
Entire boat: up to 6 people
8 Hour Trip – TOURNAMENT CREW for 3
Low rate deposit non-refundable
8 Hour Trip
starts at 5:30 AM
Seasonal trip
Jun 16 - Jun 16 (Mon)
US $1,350
Entire boat: up to 6 people
US $1,350
Entire boat: up to 6 people
HOLIDAY TRIP JULY 3 or 5 MORNING
Low rate deposit non-refundable
6 Hour Trip
starts at 5:30 AM
Seasonal trip
Jul 3 - Jul 5 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
US $1,495
Entire boat: up to 6 people
US $1,495
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Labor Day Monday Sept 1st 2025 7 Hr
Low rate deposit non-refundable
7 Hour Trip
starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Sep 1 - Sep 2 (Tue)
US $1,495
Entire boat: up to 6 people
US $1,495
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Customer reviews
Beoordelingsoverzicht
Boot
5.0/5
Crew
5.0/5
Ervaring
5.0/5
Photos & videos by reviewers (28)
+25Beoordeling van Vissers
9
0
0
0
0
Vissers beweerden
Goede ervaring
100%
Geschikt voor kinderen
100%
Vriendelijke schipper
100%
Tevreden met de boot
100%
Beveel deze charter aan
100%
Gevangen vis
100%
Weergegeven 1 - 5 van 9 beoordelingen
Weergave: 5 van 9 beoordelingen
Ron Shirmulis
5.0
Verified
What a Fishing Trip!!!!
5 Hr Trip Weekday Afternoon 6 max on August 13, 2025 • 3 adults
Took my grandson (14 years old) and his aunt out for a day of real fishing. We're all novices to the sport of fishing, catching only bluegills and a few bass in a small pond. But this was the "big time" on Lake Michigan. Capt Jason and his crew made every effort for us to catch fish...... and they came thru!!!! He gave us instructions on how to work the fish and how to reel in the catch; it was a workout!!!! We caught some good size Lake Trout and some salmon. It was a day and a trip that we'll never forget!!! We're already talking about another trip with Capt Jason later this season or early next year, setting our sites on catching some more big ones!!!
Reported catch:
1
Mia Zifkin
5.0
Verified
Amazing experience!
5 Hr Trip WEEKEND AFTERNOON 6 Max on June 29, 2025 • 1 adult • 1 child
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We had such an incredible experience with Top Dog Fishing Charter! I brought my 15-year-old son and his friend, and it was hands down one of the highlights of their summer. From the moment we stepped on the boat, the crew made us feel welcome, safe, and completely taken care of.
The captain was not only professional and experienced, but also patient and fun—he took the time to teach the boys some new techniques and kept the energy high the entire trip. They were both absolutely thrilled to catch some amazing fish and learn so much along the way.
It’s not easy to impress teenagers, but Top Dog delivered a day they’ll be talking about for a long time. Highly recommend for families, especially if you’re looking for something memorable and exciting for your teens. We’ll definitely be back!
Reported catch:
Response from Captain
July 3, 2025
Thank you so much for booking a day on the water with us, we are so happy we could be a part of you and your sons (and his friend) memories. Also thank you for the good review, kind words and attention to the standard that I strive to maintain... not only in service and catching fish, but, in safety and also just having a fun time. Hope to see you back again some day soon. Give us a call any time. Capt JB.
0
David Jett
5.0
Verified
Hard work pays off
5 Hr Trip Weekday Afternoon 6 max on June 26, 2025 • 3 adults
Jason & Mike worked together like a team. The fishing was tough. However they kept after it. Different colors, changing depths, reversing direction… Then in the last hour it turned on with 5 more fish. Our last one was a 20 lbs Lake Trout. It took 20 minutes to get it in the boat. Those 2 worked hard and it made the difference of us catching 1-2 versus 7 on a tough day. Wonderful boat, great equipment, and good company. Would highly recommend this charter with Top Dog!
Reported catch:
Response from Captain
June 27, 2025
David, thank you much, we enjoyed working hard to make sure you and your crew had a great time out on the water. We appreciated you and your guys patience and positivity. We finally made it all come together for a successful day. Come fish / hunt with us anytime, I hope it's soon. Captain Jason
0
Cynthia Pince
5.0
Verified
What a great way to celebrate our Dad!
6 Hr Trip Weekend AFTERNOON 6 Max on June 15, 2025 • 6 adults
Screaming from the rooftops that Top Dog Charters is the best! Captain Jason Baldwin and Jacques (or as we all called him, Son) were fantastic! Their energy, passion, dedication and hard work to ensure that we understood all aspects of the trip (equipment, technology, techniques, types of fish caught) were amazing and they were more than happy to answer all our questions. They worked tirelessly to get us setup to successfully catch fish and we appreciated every bit of it. We lost some but we caught a lot more than we lost. Let me also mention how clean they kept the charter, always spraying down after every catch. Grateful that they also cleaned, filleted and packed our catch. They definitely go the extra mile!! Thank you so much for making our first fishing trip and our Dad’s Father’s Day so special. We wish you much success and highly recommend you to all!
Reported catch:
Response from Captain
June 20, 2025
Cynthia, thank you so much for booking us on Fathers Day. I really appreciate your kind words and review, thank you so much. I'm very happy your Dad caught 3 different species of fish, that is not always possible. Jacques and I enjoyed your family and hope you come back again sometime soon. So happy you had a wonderful time, and appreciated our efforts. Thank you for your generosity, come back fishing with us any time. Sincerely, Capt. Jason and.... my son, :) Jacques
0
Cole Genschaw
5.0
Verified
Great Time!
5 Hour Trip – Weekend MORNING 6 Max on June 20, 2025 • 6 adults
Captain Jason was very professional and got us on the fish quickly. Awesome boat and all the gear was top of the line. Highly recommend!
Response from Captain
June 24, 2025
Cole, thank you very much, we enjoyed your crew and glad we got everyone fish.
0
FAQs about Top Dog Charters
The fish you can target
What is the boat like?
Boat category
Sportfishing boatsCapacity
6 personsBoat length
33 ftYear built
2008Boat manufacturer
TiaraBoat type
SportfishingEngine model
CrusaderPowered by
2 x 385HPMax cruising speed
26 knots