Knotty Girl Charter Fishing

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
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 3 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 1 - Oct 31
    US $999
    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!
    Targeted fish
    Lake Trout
    Lake Trout
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Brown Trout
    Brown Trout
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    In demand! Last booked: 6 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 3:00 PM
    Seasonal trip May 1 - Oct 31
    US $999
    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!
    Targeted fish
    Lake Trout
    Lake Trout
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Brown Trout
    Brown Trout
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
There are 7 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Knotty Girl Charter Fishing

Knotty Girl Charter Fishing offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $999 per group, additional US $100 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip (AM) (6 hours)
  • US $999 per group, additional US $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)

Meet the Captain

Steven Lauer
Ludington, Michigan, United States
1 Fishing Report
ID & license verified
56 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since July 2021
Angler's Choice
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
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.
Our Team
Brad K.
First mate

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 (Sportfishing) 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
All ages welcome and encouraged.
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 56 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (84)
Family fun
Family fun
Family fun
+81
Angler rating
55
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Appropriate for children
96%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
98%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 56 reviews
Gary J.
Grant, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Family fun

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on September 10, 2023
This half day trip did not disappoint! The boat & crew were all we could hope for, along with the catch! Brad and Steve were...
Gary J. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
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Gary J. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
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Christopher C.
Detroit, Michigan
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Trip for a Family Reunion Crew of Out-of-Towners!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on August 7, 2023
Great experience from first booking to the catch n’ clean. We had a small family group that doubled in size, so six...
Christopher C. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
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Christopher C. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
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Eric P.
Bowling Green, OH
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Simply Awesome!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on September 9, 2023
Came right out of the dock, lines set, meat on the deck.  Captain and first mate are in Sync, Knotty Girl III is a salmon...
Eric P. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Eric P. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

James S.
Canton, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Family's First Fishing Trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on August 25, 2023
Captain Steve and first mate Brad were great. We took our three young kids out for their first trip and they loved it. The...
James S. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
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James S. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
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Jeffery D.
Detroit, Michigan
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome Bachelor Party

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on May 27, 2023
We slayed the salmon.  This was a trip to celebrate a young man’s wedding.  It couldn’t have been more awesome- The...
Jeffery D. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Jeffery D. recommends Knotty Girl Charter Fishing
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful