Thompsonville Fishing Guides

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

From the end of August to early October, King and Coho Salmon migrate from Lake Michigan into many rivers along the west coast of Michigan. Captain Alex specializes in targeting these fish with a fly rod on remote upper stretches of the Betsie River and Little Bear Creek south of Traverse City, Michigan. Private access allows us to float stretches of river inaccessible to other fisherman. This results in beautiful, scenic floats where it is common to see more bald eagles than other fisherman. Throw in large numbers of fish and you have the recipe for a great day on the water! ​ Both stretches of river are cleared of large debris early in the season to ensure safe travel downstream. However, they are kept overgrown to promote healthy trout habitat as well as deter other boaters from floating it. For these reasons the boat may have to be pushed over a sandbar, under a log, or through brush... but that just adds to the experience! ​ Captain Alex targets these Salmon early in the run when they are fresh, aggressive, and staged up in large holes. Bottom bouncing techniques work best when run with egg flies, wooly buggers, or egg sucking leeches. Certain days will allow us to strip streamers for these fish as well. ​ Spinning gear can be provided to cast thundersticks or float skein under a bobber if anglers wish. Double check with your guide to ensure that this is an option. A hot lunch is also served stream-side on all full day trips. All you need to bring is a good attitude and your Michigan fishing license! 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

Take a trip out with Captain George 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 a top freshwater sportfishing destination, but with so much water and low-to-moderate fishing pressure, there's no better place to bag a big one! On this trip, you'll primarily be trolling to attract big Salmon, which love to whack 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! In addition, Salmon are excellent table far, whether you choose to throw them on the grill, pan-sear the fillets, or even try them raw as sushi! Ask Captai George for his favorite recipe, and he'll point you in the right direction. You'll be fishing from the deck of his 21' Ranger bay boat. She's kitted out with all the equipment necessary for a great day of fishing, including twin Mercury Verado 300-HP engines and a covered console to keep you out of the sun when you're not actively fishing. Your captain will bring everything you need for an ideal trip, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle. George will also clean and package all your keepers at the end of the trip. All you need to bring is a 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 George! Read More

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

Can’t wait for the dog days of summer to start hauling in fish? Switch it up and join Captain Jim on an ice fishing expedition! Out on one of many Michigan inland lakes, you will be dropping lines through holes in the ice and waiting for a bite. Your prey might include, Trout, Pike, Perch, Burbot, or Walleye. These fish are less active in the cold winter months, but still just as tasty! Captain Jim will clean and bag your catch for you, which is lucky because these freshwater species are delicious! This trip can accommodate big groups, making this fun for family and friends. Make sure everyone on your trip is bundled up tight though—you don’t want to catch a chill. Captain Jim will set up an shelter to keep you warm, but it is still important to have warm socks and several layers of thick clothing. Other than warm clothes, you don’t have to bring anything! Captain Jim will provide all the rods, reels, bait, and tackle needed to bring up a big one. Feel free to bring some snacks and drinks though, so you don’t get hungry on the half-day trip. If you’ve never been ice fishing before, this trip is an incredible opportunity to learn a fun winter sport! Read More

If you've been looking for a top-tier sportfishing trip here on Lake Michigan, you're in the right place! Many people don't know that the Great Lakes are home to some of the biggest, baddest freshwater sportfish in the USA, and there's no better way to hook some up than a trip with Captain Lenny. On this trip, you'll chase big Salmon and Steelhead on trolling gear. Both of these species are a blast for any and all anglers, whether you're aiming for a new personal best, hoping to fill your cooler with keepers, or all of the above! 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 Steelhead—love to hit fast-moving targets, and when one of these fish takes the hook, you'll feel it! Both of these big-time sportfish are known for their fast runs and big jumps, so once that fish takes off, strap in for a fight. Once you're back on the dock, Captain Lenny is happy to clean and bag your keepers for you. Salmon and Steelhead are both excellent eating, whether you choose to throw them on the grill, sear them on the stovetop, or even prepare sushi! Ask Lenny for his favorite recipes. Captain Lenny's 31' boat is built for performance! She sports twin 454.crusader engines to get you moving fast, and has an enclosed console to keep you out of the wind. 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, and a cooler for your keepers. Captain Lenny 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 Lenny has got you covered! Read More

If you've gotten used to nymphing and dry-fly fishing, try this streamer trip with Casey on for size! This trip is a perfect way to expand your fly-fishing repertoire while going after some absolutely massive Trout on the rivers of northern Michigan. Brown Trout in particular love to hit fast-moving streamers, and if you want to hook a personal best, this trip is for you. Casey is an extremely knowledgeable and experienced guide when it come to fishing streamers, especially large ones. He's obsessed with catching trophy Browns, and will put you on the fish like none other! Fishing streamers is quite different from other types of fly fishing, because instead of looking for a perfect surface drift or trying to imitate a worm washing downstream, you're trying to match the action of a small baitfish or other prey item moving across or even against the current. You'll practice stripping in line and setting effectively on this trip, and you'll walk away a better angler with some epic memories and amazing pictures to boot! You'll be fishing the deck of Casey's 16' Stealthcraft jet boat, which is ideal for maneuvering on the river. She's powered by a 40 HP Mercury, so you'll have no trouble getting where the fish are. A half day trip does not include lunch, but on a full day Casey will put together a great midday meal. Casey will supply everything you need for an awesome trip, including rods, reels, tackle, and flies. Just bring a good attitude, a Michigan fishing license, and some sun protection and you'll be good to go! 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

Get ready for an exciting day of Salmon fishing on Lake Michigan with Captain Fred! 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 famous sportfish species such as Steelhead, King Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Lake Trout—all of which you can target on this trip with Captain Fred. These fish are a blast to catch and are even better to cook up with friends and family! Fred captains a 31' Tiara sportfisher custom-built in Michigan. It can comfortably fit up to 6 fishermen, so call some buddies for this trip! She's powered by two 385-HP Crusader engines, so this boat will get you to the fish in a hurry. With outriggers, a GPS navigation system, and fishfinder, Fred's sportfisher is perfect for putting you on the fish and haulin' em' in! As an added bonus the onboard bathroom will keep in you in the action for the entirety of the trip. Fred 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