Manistee Fishing Guides

Although Traverse City is known for its Salmon and Steelhead fishing, this area is also prime territory for Smallmouth Bass! Captain Butch has decades of experiences hooking wallhangers in the Bay and on the nearby inland lakes, and he excels in putting his clients on big fish. Smallmouth Bass offer a great experience to all levels of anglers. These fish hit both baits and lures, and you can expect massive topwater takes in addition to big bites when you're jigging off the bottom. Captain Butch is happy to give you some expert advice so that you can improve your cast, perfect your retrieve, and hit a personal best! On your fishing adventure, you will be fishing aboard a 21' Ranger skiff. She's ideal for fishing the shallow waters where big Smallies like to hang out, and she's powered by a 250-HP Yamaha outboard so you'll get out there in a hurry. Captain Butch will bring everything you need for an awesome trip, including all the rods, reels, and tackle. Just bring weather-appropriate clothing, your MI fishing licenses, and some sun protection, and you'll be ready to whack some big ones! Read More

Captain Jim offers top-quality open-water fishing charters on Lake Michigan, as well as many of the smaller lake and rivers here in this beautiful state! He specializes in trolling for Salmon, Trout, Steelhead and other members of the Salmonid family, and when you book with him, you'll be in the best possible position to take home a trophy fish! Whether you're a beginner or an old hand, Captain Jim will ensure that you have a memorable and extremely fun fishing trip. He's great with kids and will make sure that even the smallest member of your party gets a chance to hook a fish! On board his 24' Qwest pontoon boat, you'll be able to relax in comfort until a fish hits the hook. Then, get ready for some rod-bending action! Salmon are hard-fighting fish, so you'll have to bring your muscles when you come on this charter! Jim is a friendly, enthusiastic guide who has served thousands of happy anglers since 1998. Jim's fishing knowledge and love for the sport has consistently resulted in a successful day of fishing. Jim enjoys helping others catch fish as well as sharing the secrets that have given him a competitive edge over the competition. Your fishing party will be given Jim's personal attention and best effort to ensure a successful and enjoyable guided fishing experience. Get out there and get hookin'! Read More

For some reason, many people don't seem to know that the Great Lakes are home to some of the biggest, baddest freshwater sportfish in the USA. The stocks include Chinook (King) Salmon, Coho Salmon, Lake Trout, and Steelhead, all of which are powerful fighters and excellent table fare. If you've been looking for a top-tier sportfishing trip on Lake Michigan—America's third-largest lake and the fifth-largest in the world—then you're in the right place. Captain Terry is a pro when it comes to fishing the lake, and has been running successful trips out of Whitehall, MI for many years. Captain Terry runs his trips aboard a 31' Tiara cuddy cabin. She has a spacious deck for fishing, and sports Crusader engines to get you out there fast. Plus, she has a full cabin to keep you out of the sun and the wind. This vessel is built to cut smoothly through choppy water, so you should be trolling with the utmost comfort. She also features a full kit of electronics, and an ice box for your keepers. You'll chase bites using a variety of baits and lures on trolling gear. All of the Salmonids—the family that includes Salmon and Trout—love to hit fast-moving targets, and when one of these fish takes the hook, you'll feel it! Salmon and Trout both have fast runs and big jumps, so these fights are nothing short of spectacular! After you pull in a monster, you can store it in the icebox so it stays fresh during the remainder of your voyage. Back at the dock, Captain Terry will clean and bag your catch, so you can take home a delicious dinner. Captain Terry provides all the equipment needed for a successful day of fishing, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle. You should bring food and drinks so you don’t get worn-out, plus appropriate clothing, some sunglasses, and sunscreen. Other than that, your captain has got you covered! The only question is, when are you coming up? Read More

On this big-time trip out of Algoma, WI, you'll be exploring the amazing waters of Lake Michigan on a 33' 30 Open, equipped with all the latest equipment and gear that will quickly and safely get you on the fish. You'll be targeting the premier Lake Michigan species: Lake Trout, Steelhead, and King and Coho Salmon. These species are all members of the Salmonid family, and are voracious predators of small baitfish. In order to "get bit" you'll be running trolling gear with baits and lures, both of which are great at drawing in hungry Salmon and Trout. Without any predators in these waters, these fish can get huge, even breaking the 30-pound mark (the record is over 40 pounds!). When a monster takes your hook, strap in for a battle—these fish are known for their ferocious fighting abilities, which can feature big runs and even water-clearing jumps. Any catches you would like to take home can be cleaned and filleted by the Captain when you get back on the dock! Everything you need will be waiting for you, including all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait. Just bring proper clothing, some sunglasses and sunscreen, and your fishing licenses! Read More

From November to May large numbers of Steelhead migrate from Lake Michigan into a number of rivers along the west coast of Michigan. After spawning in the late spring these fish return to the big lake and repeat the process for 8-10 years. These chrome fish are very aggressive as they have to maintain their bodyweight, and are usually plenty willing to crush an egg fly or spawn sack! Alex and his guides target these magnificent fish on some of the most productive rivers south of Traverse City, Mi with both fly and spinning techniques. Once spring hits and the weather starts to warm we find fish in deep holes, on gravel, and in runs. Customers have success fly fishing with both nymphs and streamers, while spin fisherman use spawn bags and spinners. The weather can be variable this time of year but the exhilaration of landing a beautiful Steelhead makes it worth the effort! A hot lunch is served streamside on full day trips. Please inform your guide of any food allergies or requests. Read More

If you've been "feeling the itch" and wanting to go chase some monster fish on one of the world's biggest lakes, this trip has your name on it! Captain Steven is extremely knowledgeable and experienced, and will put you on big Kings, Cohos, Lake Trout and morecome hell or high water. Captain Steve and his crew always strive to find fish and provide a fantastic charter fishing experience! You'll be going after the fish using mostly trolling techniques. Salmon and Lake Trout hunt at different depths, but both love to hit fast-moving baits and lures! These big fish are great fighters, so bring your strength and stamina on this trip! You'll be fishing off of Captain Steve's 43' Tiara 4300. She's powered by a pair of twin 550-horsepower Detroit diesels and outfitted with state-of-the-art Raymarine electronics. This includes radar, chart plotter, CHIRP down-imaging fish finder, two marine radios and autopilot. We use a combination of both Shimano and Okuma rod and reels, Magnum Metalz downriggers and holders, and a FishHawk speed/temp probe. On the day of your trip you will need to bring a valid Michigan Fishing Licence, a pair of sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen and soft-soled shoes. Captain Steve also recommends you bring any beverages and snacks you'd like to enjoy onboard (cans only), a cooler for your catch (fish cleaning is provided), and multiple layers of clothing (temperatures can fluctuate) as well as rain gear just in case! Get out there and have a blast. Read More

If you've ever wanted to double-up on freshwater gamefish, this trip with Captain Zach is your ticket! You'll be targeting Smallmouth Bass and Brown Trout on the edges of Lake Michigan, one of the biggest lakes in the world and a beautiful place to enjoy the summer sun. You can chase these fish using a variety of techniques and gear, from classic light tackle to fly gear and centerpins and more. Captain Zach has experience using all these types of gear and is happy to give you some advice no matter how you choose to fish. Your techniques and tackle will also vary depending on whether you're aiming for Smallies or Trout, so you can expect to mix things up quite a bit on this trip. You'll be fishing from the deck of his 18' Blazer jet boat. She's perfect for this type of trip, and is powered by a 60 HP Mercury engine so you can cruise smoothly. Your captain will bring everything you need for an ideal trip, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle. Zach is also happy to clean and package your keepers at the end of the trip. All you need to bring is a Michigan fishing license with the appropriate stamps, a cooler with snacks and drinks, proper clothing, sunscreen, and a smile! Get out there and enjoy the clear, cool waters of Lake Michigan with Captain Zach! Read More

If you're looking for an unforgettable smallmouth bass fishing experience, Traverse City is the place to be and Captain Owen is the guide to take you. With guided trips on Grand Traverse Bay and the surrounding inland lakes, you will experience firsthand why this area is considered one of the best. whether you're visiting in the spring, summer, or fall, there's always an opportunity to catch! We have the experience and the equipment to put you on the fish! Read More

If you're an angler who thinks you've done it all, go no further. This nighttime mousing trip with Casey is a truly exceptional fly-fishing experience that shouldn't be missed—especially if you're on the hunt for a trophy Brown! This is not your average nymphing or dry-fly trip, so come prepared to go after trophy Trout in a truly unique way! Casey guides these trips for one purpose: hooking the single biggest, most predacious Trout in a given river system. You'll fish for these giants on abnormally large mouse and rat patterns, looking for the most aggressive fish out there. With Casey as your guide, you'll be mousing up absolutely massive Browns, and fishing at a time when they have no fear of predators and are just waiting to whack prey. Where most guides aim to put their clients on as many fish as possible, Casey does the opposite; he's looking to create just one or two opportunities for his clients to score a personal best fish, a true monster. In order to accomplish that goal, you'll fish the fastest, most technical, and least-crowded rivers—and there are no guarantees! You'll be fishing from a 16' Stealthcraft drift boat, which is perfect for maneuvering in shallow water. She's powered by a 40 HP Mercury, so you'll have no trouble getting where the fish are. Casey will supply everything you need for an awesome nighttime trip, including rods, reels, and flies. Bring proper clothing, a Michigan fishing license, and some bug spray, and you'll be ready to bag some personal records! Read More