About First Choice Charter Fishing
First Choice Charter Fishing is a family-run fishing charter based in Baileys Harbor, operated by Captain Todd Haleen — a Baileys Harbor native and second-generation charter captain with over 25 years of experience on the waters of Lake Michigan and Green Bay. The business runs trips for salmon, steelhead, lake trout, walleye, and smallmouth bass across Door County's diverse fisheries.
Charters depart from Baileys Harbor and target different species depending on the season: spring and fall bring king salmon and steelhead runs, summer is prime time for lake trout and smallmouth bass, and winter offers guided ice fishing on the bay. The 37-foot ProKat charter boat is rigged for trolling, jigging, and casting, and all tackle, bait, and fish-cleaning services are included in the charter price.
What makes First Choice stand out is Captain Todd's generational knowledge of Door County waters. Growing up fishing these same reefs and drop-offs with his father, he knows where the fish are in every season and every wind direction. The operation is small and personal — no fleet of boats, just one captain who treats every trip like it's his own day on the water.
