Hook, Line, & Sinker: Your Guide to Charter Fishing in Michigan

With the nickname of the Great Lakes State, it seems only natural that fishing is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Michigan. With nearly 200 species of fish swimming in the Great Lakes, anglers who love fishing Michigan can spend time casting for bass and panfish along the shore or exploring deeper waters for trophy catches like walleye, salmon, and musky.

Charter fishing in Michigan is a thrilling activity that allows anglers of all ages and abilities to experience the fun and joy of fishing. The options for what to fish and where to fish are endless, and it makes the perfect day trip for families and friends looking to spend time enjoying the Michigan outdoors.

Why Take a Charter Fishing Trip?

For even the most experienced Michigan fisherman with a boat and all the right equipment, there are numerous benefits to charter fishing.

Charter fishing trips in Michigan offer the flexibility to experience different types of boats and fishing environments. Also, it provides access to seasoned Michigan fishing guides and captains with deep knowledge of the Great Lakes and other Michigan bodies of water.

Another benefit of booking a Michigan fishing charter is quite simply that it makes things easier. The charter captain (and any crew) provides the boat and all the necessary equipment, drives to fishing spots, sets the lines, and nets the fish. The trips are catered to customers so that they can be as relaxed as possible and participate as much or as little as they choose.

For youngsters, charter fishing trips can provide educational opportunities for exploring and learning about fish species, equipment, techniques, and even the bodies of water they’re fishing in. It can instill important lessons too, such as respect for fish and fellow fishermen and the benefits of teamwork.

Where You Can Charter Fish in Michigan

Michigan’s Great Lakes coastline spans over 3,000 miles with dozens of lakefront towns dotting the coast. That makes it easier to find Michigan fishing charters. Since different areas of the Great Lakes are hotbeds for different species, the first questions you need to answer are what do you want to fish for and where do you want to go?

Depending on your answers, you can seek an experienced charter captain to start planning your trip. Here are some options for each of the four Great Lakes bordering Michigan.

Lake Erie Fishing Charters

Stray Cat Charter Fishing

11840 Toledo Beach Rd, La Salle, MI 48145

Captain John “King Cat” Giszczak has been chartering since 1994 and is passionate about making sure that customers have a good time — whether it’s a family with young kids or a workgroup. Anglers who are looking to hook into perch and walleye can book a trip to troll the Western Basin of Lake Erie.

Dual Threat Lake Erie Fishing Charters

6647 Waters Edge Dr, Monroe, MI 48161

Dual Threat gives anglers the chance to participate as much as they want while fishing for walleye or perch. Customers can gain first-hand knowledge of fishing as they set lines, bait hooks, and even net fish. This is a perfect way to get youngsters hooked on fishing as they delight in reeling in perch and walleye.

Talon Charters

7970 Bolles Harbor Dr, Monroe, MI 48161

For many fishermen, Lake Erie is thought to offer the finest walleye fishing in the world. Talon Charters helps fishermen of all ages get in on that action. It also provides salmon charters on Lake Michigan.

Caught fish are cleaned and bagged, and Talon participates in the Michigan Catch and Cook Program, where a portion of a day’s catch is donated to a local restaurant.

Double Trouble Sportfishing Charters

14011 Laplaisance Rd, Monroe, MI 48161

One of the best feelings for any Lake Erie fisherman is seeing a cooler full of eater-sized golden beauties in springtime. Double Trouble puts anglers right on top of the fishing action while trolling in Lake Erie’s Western Basin.

Fall perch fishing is equally exciting and perfect for enjoying some extra time on the water before winter. Double Trouble also provides salmon and trout charters on Lake Michigan.

Lake Huron Fishing Charters

Michigan Honey Hole Fishing Charters

5591 Old Orchard Bluff Rd, Lexington, MI 48450

Departing from Michigan’s Thumbcoast, Captain Nate Perry offers summer trips on Lake St. Clair and spring (salmon and trout) and fall trips on Lake Huron (walleye and trout), as well as guarantees fish or the next trip is free. The trip options give anglers a chance to hook into several fish species, depending on the season.

Trout Scout 5 Charters

220 Richardson St, Alpena, MI 49707

Veteran Captain Ed Retherford is a veteran of more than five decades who takes customers to the most productive waters in Northeast Michigan. The local waters are favored for their brown trout fishery, along with salmon and walleye. Captain Ed’s boat offers plenty of space and comfort and invites customers to come and enjoy the beauty of Lake Huron.

RELATED: The ULTIMATE Guide for Planning an Alpena Ice Fishing Trip

Pipe Dream Fishing Charters

270 N Lake St. Rogers City, MI 49779

Rogers City is known as both the Nautical City and the Salmon Capital of Michigan. Pipe Dream Fishing Charters offers trips for salmon and trout, which allows visitors to have the chance to catch several different species, including lake trout, steelhead, and king salmon.

Stormy Chinook Fishing Charters

3337 Pointe Aux Barques Rd, Port Austin, MI 48467

Captain Dan Cruchon stays busy during peak fishing season, offering Lake Huron charters aboard the Stormy Chinook out of Port Austin, Drummond Island, and Lexington.

Early season fishing begins in southern Lake Huron when trout and salmon search for baitfish. The action picks up more in the warmer months when walleye, steelhead, and whitefish add to the boat’s catch. Fishing near Drummond Island is a truly unique Great Lakes fishing experience, and Capt. Dan uses his years of expertise to hook customers into lake trout and Atlantic salmon.

Lake Michigan Fishing Charters

Mega-Bite Fishing Charters

5517 US-31 N Acme, MI 49653

Traverse City is known for incredible scenery, fun festivals, and much more, but its location on Grand Traverse Bay also makes it a fishing hot spot for trout and salmon. Mega-Bite aims to provide a unique, fun, and memorable fishing experience with once-in-a-lifetime catches. No matter what, a day on the water is a day well spent.

Storm Hawk Sport Fishing Charters

225 E Sixteenth St Suite B, Traverse City, MI 49684

Captain Brady Anderson prides himself on being able to bring in coolers of fish, which is why customers keep coming back. Fishing is a key component of every trip, but customers are comfortable, safe, and eager to have fun. Whether they want to hook into a monstrous salmon or a feisty trout, a trip on the Storm Hawk is memorable.

Big Bird Charters

143 Anchors Way # 94, St Joseph, MI 49085

In Southwest Michigan, Captain Jim “Big Bird” Conder dedicates himself to finding the perfect spots to put eager customers on the fish. Hooking into a Michigan salmon or trout is a thrill unlike any other, and customers of all ages and abilities will have a fun time fishing and soaking up the scenery around St. Joseph.

Last Call Sportfishing Charters

Grand Haven

Based out of Grand Haven, Last Call and Capt. Jarrod aim to offer memorable Lake Michigan fishing experiences. During a day of fishing, customers can hook into brown trout, lake trout, steelhead, and salmon — all prized catches during the warmer months. Whether you’re a father and son fishing together or a group of friends, the trip will be exciting and one to remember.

Lake Superior Fishing Charters

Hooked Up Charters

260 N Lakeshore Blvd, Marquette, MI 49855

Marquette offers so much to see and do in the central Upper Peninsula, and Hooked Up specializes in excellent Lake Superior fishing trips. It has a no fish, no pay guarantee, so customers know that they’ll get undivided attention for a memorable experience. The waters of Lake Superior may be cold, but seasonal fishing is absolutely hot.

Superior Charters LLC

32538 W M-123, Paradise, MI 49768

In the Eastern Upper Peninsula, Superior Charters specializes in fishing in both Lake Superior and the Tahquamenon River from Paradise. The area offers it all — including fishing for walleye, pike, and musky on inland waters and trout and salmon and the mighty Lake Superior — so customers have a fun option either way.

Keweenaw Charter Fishing Co.

200 5th St, Houghton, MI 49931

Michigan residents who make the trek to Houghton are in for a treat in the waters of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Lake Superior supports some of the best trout and salmon fishing anywhere in the Great Lakes region and some of the state’s biggest lake trout. An opportunity to hook into a prized catch makes a trip to the Upper Peninsula and Houghton worth it.

Kimar’s Charters

E3216 M-28, Au Train, MI 49806

One of the longest-serving and most experienced charters in the Munising and Marquette area offers plenty of fishing options, including half and full-day jigging, casting, and trolling trips. With the sun shining and the fish biting, a day on Lake Superior is tough to beat with family and friends.

Tips for Booking & Taking Charter Fishing Trips

• Communicate: When you book a charter fishing trip, it’s important to be on the same page with the captain — after all, it’s their boat you’re fishing on. By communicating, you can plan your trip, including what you’ll be fishing for, what the costs are, and how long the trip will be.
• Pack the essentials: If you’re charter fishing Michigan waters, it’s best to be prepared for anything and everything weather-wise. Dress in layered clothing, and bring a coat just in case. Also, you should pack sunscreen, a hat, a food cooler, sunglasses, and a larger cooler for keeping fish.
• Have a valid fishing license: The most important essential for every member of your group 17 and older is a valid fishing license, which can be purchased at local tackle shops and in sporting goods sections of stores like Meijer.
• Arrive early: By getting there early, the captain and the crew won’t need to wait on you, so it’s important to plan accordingly. If you plan on stopping for coffee and donuts before your trip, leave yourself enough time to do that without holding things up.
• Be realistic: Any experienced fishermen will tell you that the sport is called fishing, not catching. While it’s a charter captain’s job to put customers on the fish, sometimes it just doesn’t happen. Whether you hook into a ton of fish or just a few, be realistic about the trip and have fun.
• Ask about catch and release: When you book your trip, you can ask the captain about the local catch and release policies. That way, if you plan on keeping fish, you can plan to pack a fish cooler for when you arrive back on land.
• Tip the staff: Captains and their crew have worked hard and taken quite a few hours out of their day to give you and your friends or family a memorable Michigan fishing experience, so recognize their hard work with a tip.

Plan a Charter Fishing Trip in Michigan

Discover the thrill of charter fishing in the breathtaking waters of Michigan, where anglers of all levels can embark on unforgettable adventures. From the serene beauty of Lake Michigan to the shores of Lake Erie, Michigan offers a diverse and captivating playground for fishing enthusiasts.

Whether you’re a seasoned angler seeking the excitement of reeling in trophy fish or a novice eager to learn from experienced captains, Michigan’s charter fishing scene promises an exhilarating and rewarding experience for all.