Damn Good Traverse City Fishing Guides

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Damn Good Guides

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Recently Booked Fishing Guides In Traverse City, Mi

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore, Lake Fishing in Traverse City

Traverse City Smallmouth Bass Trip

100% (1)
21 ft 1 - 4 People From $450
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Traverse City

Traverse City Smallie Special

100% (6)
21 ft 1 - 2 People From $440
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Traverse City

Grand Traverse Bay Fishing Trip

NEW
21 ft 1 - 5 People From $500
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Beulah

Crystal Lake Adventures

100% (2)
28 ft 1 - 6 People From $650
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River Fishing in South Boardman

Streamer / Spin Trout Fishing

100% (5)
16 ft 1 - 4 People From $395
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River Fishing in South Boardman

Premier Nighttime Trout Fishing

100% (5)
16 ft 1 - 4 People From $495

Top Types of Trips in Traverse City

Top Species for Fishing in Traverse City

“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and look forward to getting you out on the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

All Target Species in Traverse City

View Full Species Seasonality Chart »
  • Get it while it's HOT!
  • This species is in play.
  • You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
  • Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

More Fishing Guides In Traverse City, Mi

Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River Fishing in Thompsonville

Northern Michigan Salmon Fishing

100% (4)
15 ft 1 - 4 People From $750
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Frankfort

Crystal Lake Rock Bass Adventures

100% (2)
28 ft 1 - 6 People From $500
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Elk Rapids

Traverse City Area Fishing Charter

100% (2)
24 ft 1 - 6 People From $510
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River Fishing in South Boardman

Premier Nighttime Trout Fishing

100% (5)
16 ft 1 - 4 People From $495
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River Fishing in South Boardman

Streamer / Spin Trout Fishing

100% (5)
16 ft 1 - 4 People From $395
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Beulah

Crystal Lake Adventures

100% (2)
28 ft 1 - 6 People From $650
See All Trips in Traverse City

Need a Place to Stay?

Everything to Know About Booking a Fishing Guide in Traverse City

Why should I book a fishing trip in Traverse City with Captain Experiences?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 11 trips in Traverse City, and the most popular trips in the area are Traverse City Smallmouth Bass Trip guided by Owen, Traverse City Smallie Special guided by Butch, and Grand Traverse Bay Fishing Trip guided by Tyler.

Our guides in Traverse City are rated a 5 out of 5 based on 6420 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

Looking for kid friendly guides / fishing lessons in Traverse City? Check out our beginner and family friendly guides in Traverse City.

What types of fishing trips are common in Traverse City?

Lake fishing is the most popular type of fishing in Traverse City as well as nearshore fishing.

The most commonly sought after species in Traverse City are: 1. smallmouth bass, 2. chinook salmon, 3. coho salmon, 4. lake trout, and 5. lake whitefish.

The most common fishing techniques in Traverse City are artificial lure fishing, light tackle fishing, and jigging but trolling and topwater fishing are popular as well.

How much does a Traverse City fishing trip cost?

Prices in Traverse City can range anywhere from about $455 to $1,300, but the average price for a half day trip in Traverse City is $629. The average price for a full day trip in Traverse City is $889.

Is booking a fishing guide worth the money?

Hiring a guide provides a number of benefits and many choose to book a fishing guide for a combination of experience, local knowledge, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

Working with experienced fishing guides who know the best local spots and techniques can dramatically increase your odds of a great day. Having someone who is on the water every day and knows the area like the back of their hand is going to give you the best chances of success.

Booking a guide is also more cost effective, especially if you only get out a handful of times per year. When you consider all of the costs you would incur on your own such as the price of a boat, maintenance, insurance, gas, high-quality gear and tackle, repairs, and more, you’ll find that DIY is sometimes not worth the expense.

Even if you’ve got a great setup already in your home waters, booking a guide also provides a great opportunity to experience new techniques, new locations, or even a chance at a new target species to knock off the bucket list.

What month is best for fishing in Traverse City?

The most popular season for fishing in Traverse City is fall, and most anglers book their trips 47 days in advance.

Do I need a Traverse City fishing license and what are the bag limits in Traverse City?

See here for more information on fishing licenses in Traverse City, bag limits for target species, and fishing season regulations in Traverse City. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right rules and regulations in Traverse City.

Recent Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    Sick trip - badass guide - nuff said

    Nicholas K. | July 26, 2025

    Trip: Premier Nighttime Trout Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great day on the water with Butch. Super friendly, knowledgeable, and put us right on the bass. Caught some fish and learned a few new techniques too. The boat and gear were top-notch, and the whole trip was relaxed and fun.

    Kristin B. | July 5, 2025

    Trip: Traverse City Smallie Special

  • ★★★★★
    Great day!!! Alex is very knowledgeable regarding the river,the species, and VERY skillful boat captain. Personable, pleasant, and patient. Makes a great bowl of split pea and ham soup. Will definitely do this again. Tom Johnson

    Thomas J. | April 14, 2025

    Trip: Spring Steelhead Slam

  • ★★★★★
    Casey is an amazing guide! Very personable, knowledgeable and patient. He taught us the skills we needed to catch fish. It was a spectacular day. I would highly recommend to first timers and experienced alike.

    Brian C. | June 20, 2024

    Trip: Streamer / Spin Trout Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Had a great time found fish for us

    Alfred J. | June 14, 2024

    Trip: Traverse City Smallie Special

Top Targeted Fishing Species in Traverse City

Top Fishing Techniques in Traverse City

Top Types of Fishing in Traverse City

Other Featured Cities

How are fishing conditions in Traverse City?

View Traverse City Fishing Reports from our damn good guides.

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See All Trips in Traverse City