Cook Your Catch

From Lake to Table

One of the best parts of a successful fishing trip is bringing home your fresh catch and enjoying it with family and friends. At Rack Em Up Sport Fishing, we don’t just take you fishing — we also clean and fillet your salmon or trout, so it’s ready to cook when you get home.



To help you make the most of your Lake Michigan harvest, here are some of our favorite salmon and lake trout recipes. These simple, delicious methods highlight the flavor of your fresh fish and can be prepared with basic ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

Baked Salmon

A classic, flavorful way to prepare salmon that works for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients:

• 3 salmon fillets
• ¼ cup melted butter
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp paprika
• 2 Tbsp BBQ sauce
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• Fresh lemon juice
  

Instructions:

1. Place salmon fillets in a shallow baking dish.
2. Combine butter, seasonings, BBQ sauce, and Worcestershire; brush over salmon.
3. Sprinkle fillets with fresh lemon juice.
4. Bake at 375℉ for 20–25 minutes until fish flakes easily.
   

Pan-Seared Salmon

A quick, crispy method that locks in flavor.

Ingredients:

• Salmon steaks with skin on
• Olive oil
• Lemon pepper
• Lawry’s seasoning
• Garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, cayenne (or your favorite blend)
• Fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Brush both sides of salmon with olive oil.
2. Season generously on the meat side.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet; place fillets meat side down to sear.
4. Flip to the skin side and cook until the meat flakes.
5. Finish with a squeeze of lemon.
   

Fried Lake Trout

Crispy, golden bites that pair perfectly with tartar sauce.

Ingredients:

• Boneless trout fillets, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 cup pancake mix or Bisquick
• ½ cup flour
• ¼ cup cornmeal
• ½ tsp garlic salt
• Lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. Dip trout pieces into lemon juice, then coat with the dry mix.
3. Fry in hot oil, shortening, or bacon grease until golden brown.
   

Homemade Tartar Sauce

A simple, zesty sauce for your fried or grilled fish.

Ingredients:

• Mayonnaise (we recommend Duke’s Real Mayonnaise)
• Pickle relish (try Famous Dave’s Sweet & Spicy Relish)

Instructions:

1. Mix mayonnaise and relish to taste.
2. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
   

Grilled Salmon

Perfect for summer cookouts — tender, smoky, and bursting with flavor.

Ingredients:

• Salmon fillet
• Olive oil
• Sliced onion
• Parsley, pepper, garlic salt, cayenne (or your favorite seasonings)
• Fresh lemon

Instructions:

1. Brush salmon with olive oil.
2. Place on heavy-duty foil, top with onion and seasonings.
3. Squeeze lemon over fillet, cover with another foil sheet, and seal edges.
4. Grill for 20–25 minutes or until thoroughly cooked.
   

Smoked Fish

A traditional preparation that transforms your catch into a rich, flavorful treat.

Brine Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 2/3 cups sea salt (non-iodized)
• 4 cups soy sauce
• 4 cups teriyaki
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups apple juice
• 16 oz can pineapple chunks (with juice)

Instructions:

1. Mix brine ingredients in a large container.
2. Clean and cut fillets into serving-size pieces.
3. Soak fish in brine for 10–12 hours in the refrigerator.
4. Remove, pat dry, and place on smoker racks.
5. Smoke with apple or cherry wood for 4–6 hours, gradually raising temperature:

• 1 hr at 100℉
• 1 hr at 120℉
• 1 hr at 140℉
• 1 hr at 160℉
• Finish at 170℉ for 30 minutes or until done

6.Allow fish to cool, then refrigerate or package for the freezer.

Make Your Catch a Meal to Remember

From quick weeknight meals to traditional smoked fish, there’s nothing more rewarding than turning your own Lake Michigan salmon or trout into a delicious dish.

At Rack Em Up Sport Fishing, we want you to enjoy the full experience — from reeling in your fish to serving it at the dinner table. These recipes are tried and true favorites that we hope you’ll love as much as we do.