On Point Guide Service is a family-owned company based in southern Michigan. They specialize in fly fishing trips, where they teach all breeds of anglers and promote catch-and-release.

Their guide Ben strives to be on the water every day. From mid-September through October, he runs exclusively Salmon trips in the rivers that are overflowing with them at that time. From late October until the first week of May, you can find Ben targeting Salmon and Steelhead, while during the summer months, he switches his attention to Smallmouth Bass and Brown Trout.

Run the beautiful St. Joseph River, home to migratory Salmon and Steelhead and lake-run Brown Trout. Float a 4-mile stretch of the Dowagiac River – a memory-making paradise that is full of life and amazing angling opportunities.

On Point Guide Service loves to fish the two-handed rods and promote the swing for Steelhead. Ben works one-on-one to hone your fishing skills and help you grow as an angler.  He will provide you with rods, reels, tackle, and flies by the brands such as Reel Lines, OPST, Redington, and other. You will have to bring your own waders and a valid fishing license, which you could purchase before the trip.

You will go out aboard a 14’ Stealthcraft drift boat. It can accommodate up to 2 anglers and is equipped with a GPS and a cooler with ice for your drinks and snacks.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Steelhead float trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Sep 30 - May 5
    US $450
    Beautiful steelhead on a natural reproduction fishery. Drift boat and wading experience. Limited 2 people .
    Targeted fish
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Brown Trout
    Brown Trout
  • Private trip
    Steelhead swing trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Nov 15 - Apr 21
    US $450
    Enjoy the two handed rod! Book a day and swing some flies to some chrome. This is weather and ice limited but we have options always.
    Targeted fish
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
There are 2 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about On Point Guide Service

On Point Guide Service offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $450 per group - Steelhead float trip (8 hours)
  • US $450 per group - Steelhead swing trip (8 hours)

When you book a trip with On Point Guide Service, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Multimedia System
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box
  • Radar

Trips booked with On Point Guide Service include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Reel Lines, OPST, Redington, etc )
  • Lures
  • Drinks (Bottled water)
  • Fly Fishing Equipment (Waders not included)

On Point Guide Service offers the following types of fishing:
  • River Fishing
  • Lake Fishing
  • Flats Fishing

On Point Guide Service offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Spinning
  • Fly Fishing

Top targeted fish species with On Point Guide Service include:
  • Bass (Smallmouth)
  • Carp
  • Muskellunge (Musky)
  • Pike (Northern)
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Coho)

Meet the Captain

Ben Mcdonald
Niles, Michigan, United States
14 Fishing Reports
5 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since June 2018
On Point Guide Service is run and operated by Ben McDonald. A knowledgeable angler, he has been exploring the waters since he was a kid and fly fishing since he was 5. Ben's mission was to become the best guide around and to treat his customers with the respect and manner they deserve, which he has been successfully doing for the past decade. Ben founded On Point Guide Service and has never looked back. He is most proud of being able to wake up every morning and show his clients the best time they will ever have fishing.

About this listing

Targeted species

Bass (Smallmouth) Smallmouth Bass
Carp Carp
Muskellunge (Musky) Muskellunge (Musky)
Pike (Northern) Northern Pike

Boat specs

Crestliner (Center console) originally built in 2003, and restored in 2022. Powered by a 125HP Mercury engine.

Length
21 ft
Capacity
2 persons

Types of fishing

River Fishing
Lake Fishing
Flats Fishing

Fishing techniques

Spinning
Fly Fishing

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Multimedia System
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Reel Lines, OPST, Redington, etc
Lures
Drinks
Bottled water
Fly Fishing Equipment
Waders not included

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
12 years onward
Catch and Release Mandatory

Payment

Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
PayPal

Recent fishing reports

Spring steelhead!
Spring steelhead!
March 20, 2024
Spring is here, and so are the steelhead! Come join us for a memorable trip!
Continue reading

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 5 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photo by reviewers
There are no review photos
for this charter yet!
Angler rating
5
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
75%
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Showing:
5 of 5 reviews
Baylee W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great company, great drip

VERIFIED   Steelhead float trip on February 23, 2024
Nothing beats a day on the boat with good company! We had a blast. The fish gave us a run for our money but boy was it fun....
Baylee W. recommends On Point Guide Service
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Baylee W. recommends On Point Guide Service
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Skyler B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Good Company and Good Fishing

VERIFIED   Salmon float trip on October 20, 2023
Wonderful and experienced guide! Put us on some fish, and gave plenty of pointers on proper technique. Plan to go back again...
Skyler B. recommends On Point Guide Service
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Skyler B. recommends On Point Guide Service
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Rodney M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip.

VERIFIED   Salmon float trip on October 15, 2023
The trip was great, we was put on to fish almost immediately. Answered all the questions we had taught us some different techniques...
Rodney M. recommends On Point Guide Service
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Rodney M. recommends On Point Guide Service
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Tom G.
DeMossville, KY
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

September fishing trip

VERIFIED   Pike on September 9, 2023
Very good
Tom G. recommends On Point Guide Service
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Tom G. recommends On Point Guide Service
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Fred P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

August fishing trip

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip - Bass on August 29, 2022
Fred P. recommends On Point Guide Service
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
Fred P. recommends On Point Guide Service
Mark review as helpful
2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful