Manistee is known worldwide as a destination for incredible fishing on trophy class fish. During the summer months, we target trophy King Salmon, Lake Trout, Coho Salmon, and Steelhead on beautiful Lake Michigan. During the winter months, we guide on the Big Manistee River for its world-class Steelhead (Rainbow Trout). These fish are hard fighters, acrobatic, and a thrill to catch.  Please see our separate listing for guided Steelhead trips.

Our Lake Michigan boat is a large 31’ Tiara stocked with all of the latest gear and equipment designed to help us stay on the fish.  The boat is equipped with a full stand-up head and many other creature comforts.

Children are absolutely welcome (sometimes over adults). We ensure that you, and your family, will be safe with us on the water.  Your captain also has extensive training in first aid and all boats are equipped with USCG-approved safety gear.

Having logged many hours on these waters, we are prepared to put you on fish, keep you on fish, and ensure you have a lifelong memorable experience.

You’ll find rods, reels, and tackle waiting for you, as well as a wide selection of the hottest lures. Before coming aboard, it will be necessary to buy a Michigan all-species fishing license for everyone in your group. This information is usually available online.

Don’t leave home without sunglasses, bottled water, and sunscreen (non-spray). If you’d like to bring other drinks, just ask. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, so long as you avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles, and absolutely no bananas are allowed onboard.

Now’s the time to experience fishing on gorgeous Lake Michigan for yourself, with Darkblue Charters.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 15 - Sep 30
    US $700
    Lake Michigan charter for King Salmon and Lake Trout. Price is for four people. Additional passengers are $100 each to a maximum of 6 people.
    Types of fishing
    Lake Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Trolling
    Targeted fish
    Lake Trout
    Lake Trout
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 4:00 PM
    Seasonal trip May 15 - Sep 30
    US $700
    Lake Michigan charter for King Salmon and Lake Trout. Price is for four people. Additional passengers are $100 each to a maximum of 6 people.
    Types of fishing
    Lake Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Trolling
    Targeted fish
    Lake Trout
    Lake Trout
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 15 - Sep 30
    US $900
    Lake Michigan charter for King Salmon and Lake Trout. Price is for four people. Additional passengers are $100 each to a maximum of 6 people.
    Fishing techniques
    Trolling
    Targeted fish
    Lake Trout
    Lake Trout
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
There is 1 person looking at this charter.

FAQs about Darkblue Charters

Darkblue Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $700 per group, additional US $100 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip (AM) (6 hours)
  • US $700 per group, additional US $100 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip (PM) (6 hours)
  • US $900 per group, additional US $100 per person after 4 guests - Full Day Trip (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Darkblue Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Refrigerator
  • Ice Box
  • Radar

Trips booked with Darkblue Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • First Mate (First Mate works for gratuity / 20% is customary)

Darkblue Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Lake Fishing (Lake Michigan)
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing

Darkblue Charters offers the following fishing technique:
  • Trolling

Top targeted fish species with Darkblue Charters include:
  • Brown Trout
  • Lake Trout
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Coho)

Meet the Captain

Captain Chris
Manistee, Michigan, United States
ID & license verified
3 Customer reviews
Member since November 2023
Over 25 years of experience fishing on Lake Michigan and its surrounding waters. In the early days I began with my own boat and eventually worked my way up to first mating for some of the best captains in the where I was lucky enough to learn directly from them. Since that time I eventually purchased my own boats and began guiding on my own. I also operate a YouTube channel (Tangled Tackle Fishing) that is dedicated to helping others become better anglers on the big lake and the rivers.

About this listing

Targeted species

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

Boat specs

Tiara (Sportfishing) originally built in 1983. Powered by 2 270HP Crusader engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 30 knots.

Length
31 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Lake Fishing
Lake Michigan
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing

Fishing techniques

Trolling

Amenities

Toilet
GPS
Fishfinder
Refrigerator
Ice Box
Radar

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
First Mate
First Mate works for gratuity / 20% is customary

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 14 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
Fish are cleaned and bagged for the client

Payment

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
PayPal
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 4% charge will apply.

Manistee Fishing Calendar

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 1 review
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photo by reviewers (1)
Half day trip with Captin Chris
Angler rating
1
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
100%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
1 review
Thomas S.
Oak Park, Michigan
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with Captin Chris

Half Day Trip (PM) on December 17, 2023
I booked a trip with Captin chris and he was very responsive with dates and times.He had top of the line equipment and boat....
Thomas S. recommends Darkblue Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Captain Chris Captain replied