ALGOMA, Wis. — Adam Cochart has been finding fish for other people on Lake Michigan for the past 17 years,

But that’s just part of the job of running Bay Lake Charters.

What You Need To Know

  • After a slower start business at Lake Michigan fishing charters is hitting stride
  • For Adam Cochart running a charter is as much about giving customers an experience as it is finding fish
  • The Wisconsin DNR estimates the economic impact from fishing in Wisconsin at $2.3 billion.​

“Every time we leave it’s about that personal connection for me more than the fishing end of it,” he said. “I’ve been doing it long enough that I’ve mastered the fishing end of it, but getting to know each individual group, that’s a talent you need to have every day.”

Charter operations are part of larger industry built around fishing in Wisconsin. The state’s Department of Natural Resources estimates fishing has an economic impact of about $2.3 billion.

For Cocahrt and others, the season got off to a slower than usual start, but that’s changing.

“We had a cold, windy spring and that kind of dampered our bite a little bit,” he said. “But once July rolled around, our bite picked up, and the fishing has been good.”

Henry Lawrence made the trip to Algoma from Minnesota with family to celebrate his grandfather’s birthday. They caught nine fish.

“When the fish were on the line it was really hard to get them in, so it was a little exciting,” he said.

His dad, Lance, said using a charter was a vital piece of their success — and memories.

“A guide makes all the difference,” he said. “A good guide can put you on some fish and you’ll have much more fun.”

Cochart, who is a teacher most of the year, said he plans to keep taking people out on the lake for years to come.

“For me it’s not just out chasing the fish, it’s meeting more people,” he said. “Every year my network of people gets bigger and bigger. I know people from so many different states and so many walks of life that I’m eager to hear what that next year brings for them every year when they come back.”

 

What You Need To Know

— After a slower start business at Lake Michigan fishing charters is hitting stride

— For Adam Cochart running a charter is as much about giving customers an experience as it is finding fish

— The Wisconsin DNR estimates the economic impact from fishing in Wisconsin at $2.3 billion.​