Knotty Girl Charter Fishing is located in the Historic Maritime Port of Ludington.  From May through October, we fish for salmon and trout species on Lake Michigan.  We offer 6 hour morning and afternoon charters, accommodating up to 6 people max.  All trips include the use of rods, reels, tackle, lures, as well as your catch properly filleted and bagged for you to take home.  We ask you to provide your own food/snacks, beverages, sweatshirt/jacket, valid Michigan fishing license, and a cooler for your catch after cleaning. 
    The boat, “Knotty Girl III” is a 1993 Tiara 4300 Open.  She’s something special and is completely outfitted for what we do. This vessel is powered by a pair of 550 H.P. turbocharged Detroit Diesels and features the latest Raymarine electronics as well as all safety equipment.  Knotty Girl III boasts a spacious bathroom and has plenty of cabin room for personal belongings. 
    Operating with a first mate, we possess a wealth of knowledge. Onboard this vessel the professionalism will not go unnoticed.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    May Spring Special!
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 1 - May 31
    $799
    With nearshore waters starting to warm, the fish really seems to put on the "bite"! Except for large catches of lake trout, and occasional King Salmon.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 22 hours ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 5 - Sep 17
    $899
    Spend the morning trolling for Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Steelhead, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, and more! Your Captain will provide your group with all of the fishing equipment you'll need for a successful trip. Be sure to bring a small personal cooler, or have a plan to bring your fresh fillets home!
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 3:00 PM
    $899
    Spend the afternoon trolling for Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Steelhead, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, and more! Your Captain will provide your group with all of the fishing equipment you'll need for a successful trip. Be sure to bring a small personal cooler, or have a plan to bring your fresh fillets home!
There are 8 people looking at this charter.

About the Captain

Steven Lauer
Ludington, Michigan, United States
1 Fishing Report
ID & License verified
35 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since July 2021
Captain Steve Lauer welcomes you aboard the "KNOTTY GIRL III" fishing from the port of Ludington, Michigan. Ludington is considered one of Michigan's "top" ports for trophy catches of salmon and trout. Captain Steve Lauer has been successfully sport fishing Lake Michigan for over 20 years. You'll fish from a comfortable 4300 Tiara Open with a wide beam (15-2”). All tackle is included, our boat is air-conditioned, has an auto-pilot, 2 marine radios, fish finder, GPS, electric downriggers w/water temp, and twin 550 H.P. Detroit Diesel engines to quickly put you over the best fishing spots. A well appointed and beamy cockpit makes for comfort and practical fishing on the Big Lake.

About this listing

Targeted species

Lake Trout Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Salmon (Chinook) Chinook Salmon
Salmon (Coho) Coho Salmon

Boat specs

Tiara (Offshore sport fishing) originally built in 1993. Powered by 2 550HP Detroit Diesel engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 30 knots.

Length
43 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Lake Fishing
Lake Michigan

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Downriggers, leadcore/copper, wire divers
Trolling

Amenities

Toilet
Very Spacious
GPS
Raymarine
Fishfinder
Raymarine CHIRP down imaging
Multimedia System
Sirius XM
Ice Box
Radar
Raymarine

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Top of the line Shimano and Okuma products
Lures
Spoons, flashers, flies, meat rigs and plugs.
Catch cleaning & filleting
Please bring a cooler for your catch
First Mate
20% tip customary

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 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
You Keep Catch
Please bring a cooler for your catch and cleaning!
Disabled Accessible

Payment

Pay online in full

Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.

No additional fees.
Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% 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
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
PayPal
Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.

Ludington Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating Summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 35 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (42)
Half day trip with captain Steve
Good day of fishing
Good day of fishing
+39
Angler Rating
34
0
0
0
0
Anglers Claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
97%
Appropriate for children
96%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Catch intended fish
96%
Sort By:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 35 reviews
Kelly S.
Perrysburg, OH
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Mid August morning Trips.. time of our lives!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on August 19, 2022
My Husband and I have fished Ludington charters several times with a dear family friend but have not been back since 2013...
Kelly S. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
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Kelly S. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
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Phillip B.
Big Rapids, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with Captain Steve and First Mate Brad

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on July 13, 2022
Booked the trip to give my 9yr old son a taste of Lake Michigan and salmon fishing.  Capt Steve and Brad were top!  Their...
Phillip B. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
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Phillip B. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
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David E.
Holland, OH
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Good day of fishing

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on September 3, 2022
Had a great time with Capt Steve and Brad.  Great guys.  Were scheduled for Saturday afternoon but due to weather had to...
David E. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
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David E. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

William H.
Swartz Creek, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Family Fun

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on June 24, 2022
Had a great half day trip! Caught lots of fish! Went as a family while on vacation. Learned a lot along the way and really...
William H. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Steven Lauer Captain replied

Jeff B.
New Baltimore, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Excellent Charter Trip

VERIFIED   May Spring Special! on May 21, 2022
Steven and Brad went above and beyond for our charter trip. They exceeded all of our expectations. The two of them are a wealth...
Jeff B. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
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You found this review helpful
  Steven Lauer Captain replied

FAQs about Knotty Girl Charter Fishing

Knotty Girl Charter Fishing offers the following trips to customers:
  • $799 per group, additional $100 per person after 4 guests - May Spring Special! (6 hours)
  • $899 per group, additional $100 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip (AM) (6 hours)
  • $899 per group, additional $100 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip (PM) (6 hours)

When you book a trip with Knotty Girl Charter Fishing, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet Very Spacious
  • GPS Raymarine
  • Fishfinder Raymarine CHIRP down imaging
  • Multimedia System Sirius XM
  • Ice Box
  • Radar Raymarine

Trips booked with Knotty Girl Charter Fishing include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Top of the line Shimano and Okuma products)
  • Lures (Spoons, flashers, flies, meat rigs and plugs.)
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (Please bring a cooler for your catch )
  • First Mate (20% tip customary )

Knotty Girl Charter Fishing offers the following type of fishing:
  • Lake Fishing (Lake Michigan)

Knotty Girl Charter Fishing offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle (Downriggers, leadcore/copper, wire divers )
  • Trolling

Top targeted fish species with Knotty Girl Charter Fishing include:
  • Lake Trout
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Coho)