Manistee Fishing Guides

Take a trip out with Captain Dan and experience the great freshwater fishing that Lake Michigan has to offer! Lake Michigan is the third-largest of the Great Lakes and the fifth-largest lake in the world, with just over 22,000 square miles of surface area. It's loaded with fish, including fantastic sportfish species such as Steelhead, King Salmon (also known as Chinooks), Coho Salmon, and Lake Trout—all of which you can target on this trip with Captain Dan. On this trip, you'll primarily be trolling lines to attract big Salmon, which love to take fast-moving baits and lures. When these powerful fish hit the hook, you'll feel it! Salmon are great fighters that will really test your strength, stamina, and skills—so bring your A-game! You'll also have the opportunity to drop your lines down to hook up some massive Lake Trout, which prefer the deeper, colder parts of the Lake. In addition to their fighting abilities, all of these species are terrific table fare! Whatever you're hoping to catch, Captain Dan is an expert when it comes to finding, hooking, and fighting fish in these waters. You'll be fishing from the deck of his 33' Wellcraft sportfisher. She's a beautiful boat with all the equipment necessary for a great day of fishing, including twin Volvo engines and a cabin to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the fall. Your captain will bring everything you need for an ideal trip, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle. Dan and his crew will also clean and package all 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 Dan! 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

If you've been looking for a premier sportfishing trip on Lake Michigan, you're in the right place. This epic Salmon and Trout trip with Captain Chad is ideal for any angler, whether you're aiming for a new personal best, hoping to fill your cooler with keepers, or all of the above! Many people don't 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. You'll hunt these fish 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! Once your reel starts screaming, you better be ready! 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 Chad will clean and bag your catch, so you can take home a delicious dinner. Captain Chad's 36’ Tiara has a spacious deck and twin Crusader engines with a total of 700 horsepower to get you out there fast. This vessel is built to cut smoothly through choppy lakewater, so you should be trolling with the utmost comfort. She also features a full kit of electronics, a comfortable cabin, live wells for bait, and coolers for your keepers. Captain Chad 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, Captain Chad has got you covered! 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've been wanted to get after some major fish on the world's fifth-largest lake, this trip with Captain Chris just might be your ticket! He's been a pro guide on this water for years, and knows how to show you the freshwater sportfishing trip of a lifetime. On this trip, you'll chase classic Lake Michigan sportfish including King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Steelhead, and Lake Trout. These fish get big, and they love to fight! They're a blast to catch, and they're even better seared on the grill afterwards. You'll primarily be trolling for these fish, putting bait and lures at different depths to hook them up. Captain Chris runs a 33' Trojan 10 meter, powered by twin Crusader engines with a total of 700 horsepower. She'll get you on the fish comfortably and quickly, so you can spend more time fishing and less time cruising! The boat is also equipped with trolling equipment, standard electronics, and a full cabin for your comfort. Chris provides you with all the rods and tackle you will need, but be sure to have your fishing license upon arrival. Be sure to dress accordingly with some rain gear, hat, and sunglasses so you can stay comfortable on the water. The only other thing you'll need is an ice chest to take home your fresh catch! 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