- October through December
- Peak fall fishing is from October through December
- Rivers like the Betsie River, Manistee River and Platte River
- Typical steelhead will bite best early in the day but will usually bite all throughout the day
Michigan Fall Fishing Trips
Fall fishing in Michigan offers something for every angler! Not only are the fall colors abundant and beautiful, the fish are biting too! With a large variety of species to target using multiple techniques to fit every angler's preference, fall is indeed a wonderful time to spend on the water with a Sport Fish Michigan Captain. Our rivers like the Manistee River, Betsie River and Platte Rivers are filled with king salmon, coho salmon and steelhead trout. Coho salmon can be caught throughout early fall on the big waters for anglers vertical jigging, casting or trolling on Plattte Bay and Grand Traverse Bay. Smallmouth bass, walleyes, perch, ciscos and even muskies all begin their fall feeding binge and bite aggressively all fall long on both inland waters as well as waters like Grand Traverse Bays, Lake St. Clair, Saginaw bay, and the mighty Detroit River.
Fishing with our Sport Fish Michigan Captains and Guides gives you the advantage of their knowledge and expertise gained from years of fishing on Michigan's many waters using the best in equipment, boats and electronics.
Whether you are new to fishing and interested in learning how to fish or an experienced angler looking for a Captain or Guide to take you to the best fishing locations, Sport Fish Michigan will create the perfect fishing trip tailored to your interests and preferences. We take pride in providing the highest level of customer service and Michigan's best fishing experiences!
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Spring Fishing Species Guide - Northern Michigan
Steelhead
Brown Trout
- Year-round on Michigan rivers
- Peak fall fishing is October through November
- Typical brown trout bite is all throughout the day
Smallmouth Bass
- Available into mid-November
- Peak fall fishing is from mid-September through early November
- Inland Lakes and Grand Traverse Bays
- Typical smallmouth bite is all throughout the day
Salmon
- Peak fall river fishing is September through early October
- Rivers and bays like Betsie Bay, Platte Bay, and Grand Traverse Bay
- Peak fall Lake Michigan trolling fishing is mid-October through November
Cisco
- Available September through November
- Peak fall fishing is mid-September through October
- Grand Traverse Bays and Lake Michigan
- Typical cisco bite is throughout the day
Perch
- Year-round
- Peak fall fishing is September through December
- Inland Lakes and Grand Traverse Bays
- Typical perch bite is throughout the day; bigger perch tend to be early in the morning or late in the evening
Walleye
- Inland Lakes - September through November
- Typical walleye bite is early morning and late evening into the dark, but will bite all throughout the day depending on technique and body of water
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Items Provided for Fishing Trips
- Captain or Guide with a DNR & US Coast Guard Inspected and Insured boat
- All top-of-the-line Humminbird electronics, Minn Kota Ultrex and Ulterra trolling motors, G.Loomis rods paired with Shimano reels, tackle and gear
- Snacks and beverages
- Hot, grilled lunch available on some river fishing trips
Northern Michigan Rivers and Lakes
Rivers
Detroit River--* Not in northern Michigan
Muskegon River
Manistee River
Betsie River
Platte River
Boardman River
Au Sable River
White River
Saginaw River--*Not in northern Michigan
Lakes
Crystal Lake
Platte Lake
Long Lake
Green Lake
Duck Lake
Glen Lake
Grand Traverse Bay
Suttons Bay
Loon Lake
Portage Lake
Bear Lake
Elk Lake
Torch Lake
Spider Lake
Betsie Bay
Hamlin Lake
Lake Cadillac
Lake Mitchell
Muskegon Lake
Lower Herring Lake
Otter Lake
Lake Skegemog
Lake Leelanau
Burt Lake
Mullet Lake
Lake Michigan
Saginaw Bay
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