About Your Trip

Water Type

Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

About Your Trip

Head out for an incredible day of fishing on the pristine waters of Crystal Lake in Benzie County, Michigan, with Captain Dan! Known for its gin-clear waters and stunning surroundings, Crystal Lake is a dream destination for anglers, offering an exciting mix of trout, bass, and panfish just waiting to be caught. Whether you’re looking to target trophy Trout or enjoy the fight of feisty Smallmouth Bass, Captain Dan’s expertise will make your fishing adventure one to remember.

Spanning over 9,800 acres, Crystal Lake is one of Michigan’s largest inland lakes, and its deep, cold waters are a haven for Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, and even Salmon! While the Salmon and Rainbow Trout here may be smaller than their Great Lakes cousins—averaging 2 to 8 pounds—they still pack plenty of punch and are a blast to reel in. Meanwhile, Lake Trout are often bigger and provide an exciting challenge for anglers of all skill levels.

Captain Dan’s trips are designed to get you to the action at the best times of day, with 6-hour outings leaving bright and early at 6 AM or heading out for an afternoon bite at 3 PM. In the spring and fall, you’ll focus on targeting Trout in the lake’s cooler, deeper waters, where they’re most active. During the warmer months, Captain Dan will guide you to rocky shorelines and drop-offs to hook into aggressive Smallmouth Bass, or he’ll help you find schools of perch and panfish in the shallows. There’s no shortage of variety, and every season offers something special to reel in.

You’ll be fishing aboard Captain Dan’s spacious and dependable Hewescraft Ocean Pro—a top-tier vessel designed for comfort and performance on the water. Equipped with all the necessary gear, safety equipment, and plenty of room to fish, this boat is the perfect setup for exploring everything Crystal Lake has to offer. Captain Dan will provide all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait needed for your trip, so you can focus on the fun without worrying about a thing.

At the end of your trip, Captain Dan will clean and package your Trout or Salmon for free, ensuring you head home with a fresh and delicious catch that’s ready for the grill. Whether you’re an experienced angler or a first-timer looking to cast your line in one of Michigan’s most picturesque lakes, Captain Dan will tailor your trip to fit your needs and make sure you have a memorable experience.

All you need to bring is your Michigan fishing license, weather-appropriate clothing, snacks, and drinks. Don’t miss your chance to fish one of Michigan’s most beautiful inland lakes—book your trip with Captain Dan today and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!

Amenities

Water Type

Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Music

You can play your own bluetooth music.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to kids.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 14 days before the trip.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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Pricing Matrix

	6 Hours
1 Person	$700.00
2 People	$700.00
3 People	$700.00
4 People	$700.00
5 People	$900.00
6 People	$900.00

Pay $100 as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.

You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

Reserve Your Trip

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You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

About Your Guide

Dan S.

Outfitter

Talkative

Laid-back

Instructional

Adventurous

Quality

Expert Oriented

About Your Guide

Dan S.

Outfitter

Captain Dan is anexperienced and passionate guide/captain, who delivers unforgettable fishing adventures on Michigan’s pristine waters. With years of expertise targeting salmon, steelhead, lake trout, and more, Captain Dan is committed to ensuring every angler—from beginners to seasoned pros—has a successful and enjoyable trip.

Specializing in Michigan’s top fishing destinations, Captain Dan combines expert knowledge, state-of-the-art equipment, and a personalized approach to help clients reel in trophy catches. Whether it’s battling Coho salmon in Lake Michigan or chasing chrome steelhead in local rivers, Dan offers a fishing experience that’s second to none.

Join Captain Dan for a professionally guided fishing trip that’s as much about creating memories as it is about catching fish. Book your adventure today and experience why Captain Dan is a favorite among anglers across the region.

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Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

53 Inch Sturgeon

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

Pizza

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

53 Inch Sturgeon

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

Pizza

What’s your favorite movie?

Escanaba is Da Moonlight

What’s your favorite sports team?

Detroit Lions

How did you get started guiding?

Couldn’t get a real job so I started river guiding

What makes you different from other guides?

On time and patient

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Start Location & Lodging Options

Frankfort, Michigan

Areas Fished

Crystal Lake

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Utility Boat
Boat Manufacturer: Hewescraft
Year Built: 2022
Boat Length: 28'

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Utility Boat
Boat Manufacturer: Hewescraft
Year Built: 2022
Boat Length: 28'
Engine Manufacturer: Suzuki
Total Horsepower: 260
Number of Engines: 2

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Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Music

You can play your own bluetooth music.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to kids.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 14 days before the trip.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .

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)

Techniques

Artificial Lure Fishing
Heavy Tackle Fishing

Everything Else to Know

Please bring license, snacks and drinks

You'll need to buy a fishing license before getting out there. Find out more about licenses here.

This trip is managed by an outfitter. Dan will be your point of contact and you will go out with one of their guides.

We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).

Cancel for free up to 14 days before the trip and receive credit back to your account. Cancelling within 14 of the trip will forfeit your deposit to the guide. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.

In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

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First Time Booking with Us?

Captain Experiences is home to 1,900+ quality, vetted fishing and hunting guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.

We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.

Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!

In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.

Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, bait, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.

After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.