Damn Good Smallmouth Bass Fishing Guides In Lake Michigan

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

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Recently Booked Smallmouth Bass Fishing Guides In Lake Michigan

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Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River, Lake Fishing in Brethren

Northern Michigan Adventures

100% (2)
17 ft 1 - 3 People From $325
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Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River Fishing in Brethren

Northern Michigan River Trips

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18 ft 1 - 6 People From $425
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Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River Fishing in Brethren

Salmon And Steelhead Fishing Trip

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18 ft 1 - 3 People From $350
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River Fishing in Wellston

Summer Smallmouth Bass & Pike

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16 ft 1 - 2 People From $350
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River, Lake Fishing in Sturgeon Bay

Door County Smallmouth

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20 ft 1 - 3 People From $475
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Sturgeon Bay

Northern Wisconsin Bass Trip

100% (1)
22 ft 1 - 3 People From $400

Top Types of Smallmouth Bass Trips in Lake Michigan

What makes Captain Experiences Damn Good?

Damn Good Guides

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Damn Good Guides

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We hand pick our Damn Good Guides, and our network spans across North America and beyond.

4.9 / 5 Average Rating

“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

More Smallmouth Bass Fishing Guides In Lake Michigan

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Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Frankfort

Crystal Lake Rock Bass Adventures

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28 ft 1 - 6 People From $525
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Traverse City

Traverse City Walleye Adventure

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19 ft 1 - 6 People From $400
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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

Lake Fishing in Traverse City

Traverse City Smallie Special

100% (8)
21 ft 1 - 2 People From $440
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Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore, Lake Fishing in Traverse City

Traverse City Smallmouth Bass Trip

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21 ft 1 - 4 People From $450
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Charlevoix

Charlevoix Smallmouth Bass Trip

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24 ft 1 - 6 People From $600
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Gladstone

UP Walleye & Smallmouth Trip

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23 ft 1 - 3 People From $700

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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:

Everything to Know About Booking a fishing trip in Lake Michigan

What are the best smallmouth bass fishing trips in Lake Michigan?

The best smallmouth bass fishing trips in Lake Michigan are:

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

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 13 smallmouth bass trips in Lake Michigan, and the most popular trips in the area are Northern Michigan Adventures guided by Brian, Northern Michigan River Trips guided by Luke, and Salmon And Steelhead Fishing Trip guided by Rodney.

Our guides in Lake Michigan are rated a 5 out of 5 based on 9494 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 smallmouth bass guides / fishing lessons in Lake Michigan? Check out our beginner and family friendly smallmouth bass guides in Lake Michigan.

What types of smallmouth bass fishing trips are common in Lake Michigan?

Lake fishing is the most popular type of fishing for smallmouth bass in Lake Michigan as well as river fishing and nearshore fishing.

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

How much does a Lake Michigan smallmouth bass fishing trip cost?

Prices for smallmouth bass in Lake Michigan can range anywhere from about $400 to $1,300, but the average price for a half day trip for smallmouth bass in Lake Michigan is $653. The average price for a full day trip for smallmouth bass in Lake Michigan is $946.

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 smallmouth bass fishing in Lake Michigan?

The most popular season for smallmouth bass fishing in Lake Michigan is fall, and most anglers book their trips 38 days in advance.

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

See here for more information on smallmouth bass fishing licenses in Lake Michigan, smallmouth bass bag limits, and fishing season regulations for smallmouth bass in Lake Michigan. When in doubt, your guide will always know all the relevant smallmouth bass rules and regulations in Lake Michigan.

Recent Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    Very wonderful time with Brian. Never really fished river before and he showed us what to do. Even though we only caught one fish still had a great time.

    Matt C. | September 8, 2026

    Trip: Northern Michigan Adventures

  • ★★★★★
    Kevin is one of the hardest working guides l have ever worked with, under promised and over delivered! have no worries here money well spent and very reasonable cost to boot! Say ya to da UP eh!

    Kelly H. | August 16, 2026

    Trip: Fly Trips

  • ★★★★★
    Brian was a fantastic fishing guide. It was me and my two young boys and he did a great job of helping them out and moving around to find fish. Highlight was a 26 inch pike that my ten year old reeled in. Highly recommend and would use him again when in the area.

    Travis J. | July 1, 2026

    Trip: Northern Michigan Adventures

  • ★★★★★
    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

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

    Alfred J. | June 14, 2024

    Trip: Traverse City Smallie Special

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Last updated: October 7, 2026

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