Damn Good Lake Michigan Fishing Guides

Check real-time availability and compare rates on Lake Michigan fishing trips. Confidently book your next day on the water.

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Recently Booked Fishing Guides In Lake Michigan

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Winthrop Harbor

Lake Michigan 4 Hour Twilight

NEW
39 ft 1 - 6 People From $750
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Kenosha

Kenosha Salmon Hookfest

100% (1)
33 ft 1 - 6 People From $875
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Winthrop Harbor

Lake Michigan Lunkers!

NEW
36 ft 1 - 12 People From $850
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Muskegon

Muskegon Salmon Adventure

NEW
36 ft 1 - 6 People From $695
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Winthrop Harbor

Lake Michigan 8 Hour Trip

NEW
39 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,200
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Algoma

Cohos, Kings, And Lake Trout Trip

NEW
33 ft 1 - 6 People From $700

Top Types of Trips in Lake Michigan

Top Species for Fishing in Lake Michigan

“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

Lake Fishing Guides In Lake Michigan

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Ludington

Luxury Lake Michigan Trout & Salmon

NEW
43 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,200
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Winthrop Harbor

Lake Michigan 8 Hour Trip

NEW
39 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,200
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Algoma

Cohos, Kings, And Lake Trout Trip

NEW
33 ft 1 - 6 People From $700
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Waukegan

Epic Salmon And Trout Trip

NEW
36 ft 1 - 6 People From $650
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Grand Haven

Lake Michigan Trout & Salmon

NEW
31 ft 1 - 6 People From $675
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore, Lake Fishing in Spring Arbor

Michigan Sportfishing Special

NEW
31 ft 1 - 6 People From $825

More Fishing Guides In Lake Michigan

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Gladstone

UP Walleye & Smallmouth Trip

NEW
23 ft 1 - 3 People From $700
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Algoma

Lake Michigan Adventure

NEW
33 ft 1 - 6 People From $900
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Kenosha

Weekday Salmon Run

NEW
35 ft 1 - 4 People From $620
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in St. Joseph

St. Joe Weekend Slammer

NEW
31 ft 1 - 6 People From $875
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore, Lake Fishing in Spring Arbor

Michigan Sportfishing Special

NEW
31 ft 1 - 6 People From $825
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Holland

Lake Michigan Salmon And Trout Trip

NEW
33 ft 1 - 6 People From $750
See All Trips in Lake Michigan

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Everything to Know About Booking a Fishing Guide in Lake Michigan

What are the best fishing trips in Lake Michigan?

Why should I book a fishing trip in Lake Michigan with Captain Experiences?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 32 trips in Lake Michigan, and the most popular trips in the area are Lake Michigan 4 Hour Twilight guided by Josh, Michigan Sportfishing Special guided by John, and Lake Michigan Charter Adventure guided by Dan.

Our guides in Lake Michigan are rated a 5 out of 5 based on 3786 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 Lake Michigan? Check out our beginner and family friendly guides in Lake Michigan.

What types of fishing trips are common in Lake Michigan?

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

The most commonly sought after species in Lake Michigan are: 1. chinook salmon, 2. coho salmon, 3. lake trout, 4. brown trout, and 5. steelhead.

The most common fishing techniques in Lake Michigan are trolling, light tackle fishing, and artificial lure fishing but heavy tackle fishing and bottom fishing are popular as well.

How much does a Lake Michigan fishing trip cost?

Prices in Lake Michigan can range anywhere from about $700 to $2,100, but the average price for a half day trip in Lake Michigan is $1,029. The average price for a full day trip in Lake Michigan is $1,446.

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 Lake Michigan?

The most popular season for fishing in Lake Michigan is fall, and most anglers book their trips 63 days in advance.

Do I need a Lake Michigan fishing license and what are the bag limits in Lake Michigan?

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

Lake Michigan Fishing Overview

The sixth largest lake in the world and the largest sport fishery of the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan is a fishing experience like no other. You won't want to miss out on the action here. This vast northern fishery provides world-class fishing opportunities that don't exist anywhere else. Whether fishing from a boat or through a hole in the ice, big fish are always biting.

Lake Michigan is home to a long list of cold water game fish. The popular target species include steelhead, coho salmon, perch, chinook salmon, rainbow trout, lake trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, and walleye. The style of fishing can vary dramatically depending on season and target species but trolling, jigging, and live bait are the most popular. The fish in Lake Michigan grow large and are formidable fighters with exception of walleye.

The sheer size of Lake Michigan can be intimidating, and every local will have their own spots. Your best chance to get some action is by heading out with a local who knows their stuff. Not only can the lake be tough to navigate, but the weather on the lake can be unpredictable, and a guide will help make sure you are safe for the duration of your time on the water.

Recent Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    When you consider a fishing charter, you should consider the abilities and experience of the Captain himself. Captain Jeremee has a wealth of knowledge that will benefit you and your entire group on a trip with him. He studies water intensely, water and weather conditions, the fish behavior, the up to the minute conditions and applies a tremendous skill set to meet your needs. Jeremee works well with even the young an inexperienced fisherman. Would you rather have Deshawn Watson or Jared Goff as your quarterback? Jeremee is a standout elite captain that will be my quarterback for many years to come. Please take it from an experienced fisherman that has had many outings with other Captains across the country including salt water excursions. Captain Jeremee is the real deal!

    Christopher L. | October 20, 2024

    Trip: Salmon & Trout Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Mate Jeremy and Captain Issac were an awesome team. My son, grandson and I caught 9 fish....7 kings and 2 rainbows. Biggest king was 41.5 inches long. Great trip!!

    Skip T. | July 17, 2023

    Trip: Lake Michigan Charter Adventure

  • ★★★★★
    Absolutely fantastic trip with Shane. He explained everything we needed to know and set expectations before the trip and was easy to find when we got there. Super knowledgable, patient, and fun, his boat was clean and he was extremely efficient. Learned a lot, got on some major trout and salmon action, and had a blast. Looking forward to the next time we can get out there with him!

    Shawna S. | September 20, 2022

    Trip: Kenosha Salmon Hookfest

Top Fishing Techniques in Lake Michigan

Top Types of Fishing in Lake Michigan

Didn't Find What You Were Looking For?

Our guides are Damn Good Guides, which means they’re vetted by our team of outdoor experts who know them on a first-name basis. We hand pick each and every one of them, and our network spans all across the US and beyond.

The proof is in the pudding, and we’re incredibly proud of our 4.9 / 5 average review score. Hit the button below to see more trip options:

See All Trips in Lake Michigan