About Us

Kinn’s Sport Fishing is locally owned and run by Captain Troy Mattson and Captain Bret Cook. Our company was founded in Algoma, Wisconsin in 1970 by the late Howard Kinn. The company was the first in the industry to begin offering Lake Michigan fishing packages that included salmon fishing trips, lodging, and licenses.

Our goal is to share our love of salmon fishing, top notch charter boats, deluxe lodging accommodations, good equipment, and experienced captains with our customers. The company’s enthusiasm and commitment to fishing and their customers has continued to keep the business successful for over 40 years. Kinn’s Sport Fishing has evolved into Wisconsin’s premiere charter fishing destination, attracting nearly 5,000 fishermen annually!

Howard passed in 2011 and inspired the long time business partners, Troy and Bret to continue the high quality legacy. Kinn’s Sport Fishing continues to offer the same high standards and commitment to excellence that the company has stood for since 1970. Kinn’s Sport fishing offers ten large charter boats, experienced captains, and deluxe lodging accommodations----we have built this business for YOU!

Our Melting Pot…

Captain Bret Cook

Fishing in the mid 1990’s took an abrupt change for me when a job opened up on a local charter boat owned by a friend. By the year “2000” I was affiliated with Lake Michigan’s #1 charter operation, Kinn’s Sport Fishing. Partnering up with the legendary Howard Kinn proved to be an invaluable and adventurous experience. Providing you a high quality, fun, and safe Lake Michigan Salmon fishing experience is something myself and crew take great pride in. Huge Kings, leaping Steelhead, and pulse pounding Browns are just a few of the highlights you will experience with us here at Kinn’s Sport Fishing.

Captain Adam Cochart

I grew up in a small town located between Lake Michigan and Green Bay. Living close to two of the world’s greatest fisheries has fueled my addiction and love for fishing. With over ten years of experience fishing the big lake, I have a competitive nature and enjoy the challenge of producing salmon and trout for customers all day long. My pledge to my clients is that they will always receive an enthusiastic and hardworking captain who loves to put people on fish. I look forward to meeting many more Lake Michigan enthusiasts in the future as my passion for fishing Lake Michigan continues!

Captain Brad Eastman

Originally from SE Wisconsin, my family and I have lived in Algoma the last 6 years. I am a proud husband to a loving wife and dad to two beautiful girls. Growing up, I was very fortunate to been brought up in the outdoors. We traveled to all parts of the state for hunting and fishing. College brought me to the Green Bay area, where I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Ed. Charter Fishing began for me in 2008 with a run to Winthrop Harbor, IL with Captain Troy and Alex on the Obsession. The fishing was phenomenal to say the least, and so started my career with Kinn’s Sport Fishing. This will be my 5th year with Kinn’s Sport Fishing. I look forward to fishing with you aboard Cooks Catch II this summer!

Captain Bill Classon

Having lived all my life in Algoma, I have been able to spend alot of time fishing Lake Michigan. I have been fortunate enough at the age of 13 to be working on the back decks of the Kinn’s Sport Fishing fleet. Now as a captain of 7 years myself, I have been able to put to use all those things Howard had taught me. Over the years many things have changed in the sport fishing industry but one thing has remained the same, my commitment to giving my customers a succesful trip and a Lake Michigan Fishing experience to remember. I hope to see you this summer on the back deck of Kinn’s Katch to see for yourself the incredible salmon and trout fishing Algoma has to offer.

Captain Troy Mattson

Originally a “flatlander” from the State of North Dakota, I have been an avid outdoorsman my entire life. I have spent the last 18 years fishing the legendary waters of Algoma, WI and Winthrop Harbor, IL. I am a proud husband (with a very understanding wife) and dad to two awesome little girls. I am completely “obsessed” with the salmon fishing industry. I enjoy every aspect of the business, as there is truly never a dull moment! I am committed to giving customers a great experience and want to show others why we love this Great Lake!

Captain Alex Ackerman

At the age of 13, I started my voyage with Kinn’s Sport Fishing, and never in my wildest dreams after 10 years did I think I would still be working for this awesome company. I started hoping to just do some part time work for a little cash in the summer. After about the first week, there was no more “part-time”. It was all or nothing. I have been a captain now for 5 years and have enjoyed every minute-the customers and the people are incredible. I also am a graduate of Lakeland College with a degree in business management. I hope to see you on the Obsession IV this year and for many years to come. There’s nothing like reeling in hi-flying steelhead and screaming kings.

Captain Hunter Jossie

As a young boy, I was an active fisherman and started mating at a very young age. I now have 6 years of experience with Kinn’s Sport Fishing. I love being on the water every day, building relationships with our customers, and letting customers experience a trip of a life time. I am a lucky man to have the job I have!

Captain Mark Kirsten

Fishing in Algoma had always been a passion of Mine since my father had his boat in Algoma when I was a kid. I had always hoped to put myself in a position to be able to fish full-time. When the opportunity presented itself with Kinns Sport Fishing I took full advantage. I think fishing out of Algoma is an experience that can't fully be fathomed without taking the trip over to fish with us and see it first hand. We definitely have a gift being able to do this for a living and I enjoy sharing it with my family, friends and customers, it means the world to me. I look forward to sharing this experience with everyone in the 2013 fishing season!!

Captain Bryan Wiesner

I'm Captain Bryan Wiesner and I have been fishing on the Great Lakes since 1986. I started my career helping my uncle Jon as his first mate. My passion for fishing turned into a life career. I hope that you can find that same passion as I do and fish on the Big Daddy with Kinn's Sport Fishing. Hope to see you on the Big Pond!

Captain Jack Tong

Being born and raised in Door County, I have had plenty of time to explore the waters around my home. At the young age of 5 my father took me trolling the shore lines of Lake Michigan for Brown Trout. Soon after that he had me out to the deep water chasing King Salmon. I really don't think either of us ever thought 27 years later I would be a Captain for the largest charter fleet on the Great Lakes. I have been a Captain for 13 years and spent another 6 years on the back deck of many boats in different harbors. I was lucky enough to have spent a whole summer in my younger years as a Captain on the back deck of the Kinns Katch II with Captain Howard Kinn at the helm. I will greatly miss that man- what a great fisherman and teacher. I hope to see you this summer reeling in the fish of your dreams on the back of the Kinns Katch II.

Captain Nick Colberg

Raised in Minnesota I grew up fishing all the time. When I was about 12 years old my grandfather bought a salmon fishing boat. I then started to go out of Algoma fishing with him all the time. I immediately fell in love with it, and every aspect of the fishing. He used to take me down to the charter boats to watch them unload their fish and to look at the boats. I used to dream of one day working on a charter boat. When I was 15 my dreams became reality and I started to first mate on the Cooks Catch. Now six seasons later I am still as in love with the fishing as I was when I first started, and lucky enough to be a captain of a boat. Hope to see you on the O2 this year! Capt. Nick

Captain Josh Roen

Growing up in Algoma, WI with my Mother and brother has given me a great opportunity with some of the best fishing in the midwest. Spending countless hours fishing with my mother has groomed my affection with fish, and grew into a lifetime hobby and career. From fishing the feeder creeks of Door and Kewaunee county to Charter fishing for Salmon the last 18 years. I will work with all my ability that I have grown up with to fill your Salmon fishing needs. I look forward to making your fishing trip a lifetime experience you will not forget!