MJ's Sportfishing Charters – Lake Michigan 

5.0
(108 reviews)
 285 Anchors Court, St. Joseph, MI 49085, United States

MJ's Sportfishing Charters – Lake Michigan 

St. Joseph, MI, United States
36 ft
6
5.0
(108 reviews)

Spend a day with MJ's Sportfishing Charters and get bit fishing the clear blue waters of Lake Michigan! Your guide for the day is Captain Mike Jones.

Fishing out of St. Joseph/Benton Harbor we will be targeting Chinook, and Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Lake Trout, and Brown Trout depending on the season and conditions.

Children are welcome and please let us know of any special needs/considerations you may have ahead of time. The Captain and First Mate will do everything they can to make the trip fun for EVERYONE.

Capt. Mike runs a 36' Motor yacht that can carry up to 6 passengers, complete with small kitchen and bathroom.

Rods, reels, and all tackle will be provided.

A few items to consider bringing include sunblock, sunglasses, hat, Packed lunch, drinks. Pants are recommended in all weather. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, but please avoid hard liquor and glass bottles.

There will be a First Mate on board to help your trip run smoothly. Mates work for tips and it's customary to offer them a 10–20% if you enjoy the trip.

Before coming aboard, you'll need to buy a Michigan fishing license for everyone in your group. Michigan DNR offers a website where daily licenses may be purchased anytime prior to your trip.

Spend a day with MJ's Sportfishing Charters and get bit fishing the clear blue waters of Lake Michigan! Your guide for the day is Captain Mike Jones.

Fishing out of St. Joseph/Benton Harbor we will be targeting Chinook, and Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Lake Trout, and Brown Trout depending on the season and conditions.

Children are welcome and please let us know of any special needs/considerations you may have ahead of time. The Captain and First Mate will do everything they can to make the trip fun for EVERYONE.

Capt. Mike runs a 36' Motor yacht that can carry up to 6 passengers, complete with small kitchen and bathroom.

Rods, reels, and all tackle will be provided.

A few items to consider bringing include sunblock, sunglasses, hat, Packed lunch, drinks. Pants are recommended in all weather. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, but please avoid hard liquor and glass bottles.

There will be a First Mate on board to help your trip run smoothly. Mates work for tips and it's customary to offer them a 10–20% if you enjoy the trip.

Before coming aboard, you'll need to buy a Michigan fishing license for everyone in your group. Michigan DNR offers a website where daily licenses may be purchased anytime prior to your trip.

Mike Jones
Captain
Mike Jones
ID & credentials verified
responds within an hour

Select date to see availability

Trip availability and prices

Trip date:
Group Size:
September 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
Loading...
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
5 hour morning trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
5 hour trip starts at 5:15 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 15 - Sep 26
Lake Trout
Salmon (Chinook)
Salmon (Coho)
US $700
Entire boat: up to 4 people
Half Day Trip (PM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
5 hour trip starts at 3:00 PM
Seasonal trip
Apr 1 - Sep 15
Salmon
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
+2
US $700
Entire boat: up to 4 people
Full Day Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
7 hour trip starts at 5:30 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 1 - Sep 30
Salmon
Lake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Salmon (Chinook)
+1
US $800
Entire boat: up to 4 people
There are 2 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Loading...

Rating

5.0
108 reviews
5.0
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (163)

What anglers say

100%
Great experience
98%
Family friendly
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Good boat
99%
Recommended
100%
Caught fish

All reviews (108)

Frequently mentioned
Showing 15 of 108 reviews
Tom Hoffman
Tom Hoffman
us
Michigan, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
New
Excellent Sportfishing
5 hour morning trip on August 20, 20263 adults

We had a great time fishing with Capt—Mike Jones of MJ Sportfishing Charters. We had a morning charter from the St. Joseph River out to Lake Michigan. He took us to his favorite fishing site, and it didn't take long for us to catch steelhead, king salmon, and lake trout. His fishing equipment was excellent and perfectly set up. Capt. Mike is a hard-working captain, skilled and enjoyable to be with. I've been fishing Lake Michigan from Charlevoix to St. Joseph, Michigan, and he is the best charter I've had. We're looking forward to scheduling another fishing charter on Lake Michigan or on the St. Joseph River for steelhead fishing.

Mike Jones
Response from Captain

Thanks Tom! Hope to you again.

Nicholas Stauffer
Nicholas Stauffer
us
Indiana, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Amazing Charter! Worth Every Penny!
Full Day Trip (AM) on August 17, 20264 adults

Mike is hands down the best! He is extremely knowledgeable, and you can tell right away that he truly loves what he does. He isn’t doing charters just for the money — he genuinely cares about putting you on fish and making sure you have the best possible time on the water. Mike was interactive with us the entire trip, answered questions, explained what he was doing, and made the whole experience fun. You really feel like he’s there for you, and his number-one priority is catching you fish and making sure you enjoy every minute of the trip. The boat is extremely nice, clean, and spacious, with plenty of room to be comfortable while fishing. On top of everything else, his prices are very, very affordable, especially for the quality of the boat, Mike’s knowledge, and the experience you get. Worth every penny and then some. If you’re looking for a charter with someone who knows what he’s doing, works hard to put you on fish, and genuinely loves taking people fishing, Mike is your guy. I wouldn’t hesitate to book with him again and actually already have! Highly recommend!

Reported catch:
Salmon
Coho Salmon
Mike Jones
Response from Captain

Thank you!

Liz Zhang
Liz Zhang
us
Michigan, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
We had a great time!
Full Day Trip (AM) on July 26, 20264 adults1 child

Captain Mike and First Mate Dave are really good at what they do. Mike communicated his concern about the weather for our initial date. We rescheduled to a later date. Everything worked out great. Mike knows where to find big fish. They were really good with supporting my 8yo and us big people reeling in those big fish. Mike adjusted the boat direction to make the ride a little easier for my parents when both of them got sick. We hung out at the dock while they cleaned our fish with great skill and efficiency. We ended up with a big cooler full of fish. We'd be interested in going on a river fishing trip with Mike. All in all, I highly recommend this trip to others.

Reported catch:
Lake Trout
Salmon
Mike Jones
Response from Captain

Thank you Liz! Hope to see you guys again.

Drew Wynn
Drew Wynn
Repeat angler
us
Indiana, US
Member since 2025
2 trips
5.0
Verified
Great Morning trip
Full Day Trip (AM) on July 6, 20263 adults

If you’re looking for a great fishing charter, I can’t recommend Mike’s Fishing Charter enough. Mike was an outstanding captain, and his first mate, Holden, was fantastic as well. We got off to an unbelievable start, hooking four fish at the same time within the first 10 minutes. From there, the action was nonstop all day until we caught our limits. It was one of the best fishing trips I’ve ever been on. Mike’s boat is in excellent condition, clean, comfortable, and equipped with all the basic amenities you’d need for a full day on the water. What really sets Mike apart, though, is how thoughtful and personable he is. He makes everyone feel involved, explains what he’s seeing on the water, and keeps you informed about the fishing tactics and why he’s making certain decisions. It makes the experience much more enjoyable and educational. Between the incredible fishing, the professionalism of Mike and Holden, and the overall experience, I wouldn’t book with anyone else. I’ll be using Mike every time I go on a charter and would recommend him to anyone looking for a first-class trip.

Reported catch:
Salmon
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
Mike Jones
Response from Captain

Thank you so much Drew.

Wenjing Zhang
Wenjing Zhang
us
Michigan, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Perfect trip for family and friends!
Half Day Trip (PM) on August 15, 20265 adults

I booked this trip for my husbands bday and it was super fun for the whole family! Captain Mike did an amazing job taking us out on Lake Michigan. He was super educational and was willing to answer any questions we had, and also make sure we were safe while we were catching fish. We were able to catch both salmons and lake trout! We are not big fishers but my family was extremely excited and had so much fun! You can really tell how much Captain Mike really loves fishing and my family really had a wonderful afternoon with him.

Reported catch:
Lake Trout
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
Mike Jones
Response from Captain

Thank you!

FAQs about MJ's Sportfishing Charters – Lake Michigan

MJ's Sportfishing Charters – Lake Michigan offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $700 per group, additional US $100 per person after 4 guests - 5 hour morning trip (5 hours)
  • US $700 per group, additional US $100 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip (PM) (5 hours)
  • US $800 per group, additional US $100 per person after 4 guests - Full Day Trip (AM) (7 hours)
When you book a trip with MJ's Sportfishing Charters – Lake Michigan, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet Private bathroom with full toilet and standard flip up seat, bio-degradable toilet paper and sink with hand soap and running water. We pump out the tank weekly so no worry's about how many trips to the head on this boat! Flush away and please make yours
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Bed
  • Kitchen
  • Refrigerator
  • Multimedia system
  • Ice box
  • Radar
Trips booked with MJ's Sportfishing Charters – Lake Michigan include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (Fish will be cleaned, filleted and bagged at the dock once we are finished at no additional charge.)
  • First mate (The captain normally fishes with a first mate to help make your trip as enjoyable as possible. The mate is a trusted, experienced, professional fisherman who will primarily be focused on following the Captain's orders, but will gladly help you out in any)
MJ's Sportfishing Charters – Lake Michigan offers the following types of fishing:
  • Lake fishing
  • Offshore fishing (We typically fish 5-7 miles from the Harbor depending on where the fish are that day. We are rarely more than a 30 minute leisurely ride back to the Harbor)
MJ's Sportfishing Charters – Lake Michigan offers the following fishing technique:
  • Trolling
Top targeted fish species with MJ's Sportfishing Charters – Lake Michigan include:
  • Brown Trout
  • Lake Trout
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Coho)

Your captain

Mike Jones
Mike Jones

St. Joseph, Michigan, United States

19 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
113 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since January 2024
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.

Capt. Mike runs trips out of St. Joseph aboard a 36' Trojan motor yacht. These waters are known for Salmon and Trout and he will show you how to catch them. With years of experience, he has a trick or two up his sleeve, and the only way to learn is to join him out on the water!

Mike Jones
Mike Jones
Fully verified
Angler's Choice
19
reports
113
reviews
2024
member since
~1h
response
Capt. Mike runs trips out of St. Joseph aboard a 36' Trojan motor yacht. These waters are known for Salmon and Trout and he will show you how to catch them. With years of experience, he has a trick or two up his sleeve, and the only way to learn is to join him out on the water!

The fish you can target

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

Real catches by this captain

  • Amazing Charter! Worth Every Penny!
    Nicholas S.
    Nicholas S.
  • Best Ladies Fishing trip yet!
    Grace T.
    Grace T.
  • We all caught  fish. Had a great time.  Captain Mike was very entertaining. Would go fishing with him  anytime!
    Bonnie H.
    Bonnie H.
  • Best Trip ever!
    Kathleen M.
    Kathleen M.
  • Great experience
    Mark E.
    Mark E.
  • Great trip with MJ’s!
    Eric M.
    Eric M.
  • Great family trip!
    Juston W.
    Juston W.
  • Listen to the Captain, you just might limit!
    Joe W.
    Joe W.
  • We had a great time!
    Liz Z.
    Liz Z.
  • exceptional trip
    Kenneth D.
    Kenneth D.

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Yachts
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
36 ft
Year built
1988
Boat manufacturer
Trojan
Boat type
Motor yacht
Engine model
Crusader
Powered by
2 x 350HP
Max cruising speed
30 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Lake Fishing
Offshore Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Trolling

Which amenities are available onboard

Toilet
Private bathroom with full toilet and standard flip up seat, bio-degradable toilet paper and sink with hand soap and running water. We pump out the tank weekly so no worry's about how many trips to the head on this boat! Flush away and please make yours
GPS
Fishfinder
Bed
Kitchen
Refrigerator
Multimedia system
Ice box
Radar
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Fish will be cleaned, filleted and bagged at the dock once we are finished at no additional charge.
First mate
The captain normally fishes with a first mate to help make your trip as enjoyable as possible. The mate is a trusted, experienced, professional fisherman who will primarily be focused on following the Captain's orders, but will gladly help you out in any

How cancellations work

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.

More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included

Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.

Child friendly
Children are welcome aboard! Both the Captain and First Mate enjoy introducing youth to our wonderful sport of fishing! That said, it is a fishing boat and outfitted as such. There is NOTHING child proof or locked up on our boat. We are out to fish an
You keep catch

How you can pay

Pay online in full

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

No additional fees.

Book with 15% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 15% 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

When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.

What’s biting in St. Joseph right now

Brown TroutBrown Trout
Lake TroutLake Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Salmon (Chinook)Salmon (Chinook)
Salmon (Coho)Salmon (Coho)

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
MJ's Sportfishing Charters – Lake Michigan
MJ's Sportfishing Charters – Lake Michigan
5.0
(108)
36 ft
Group size 1 - 6
1 - 6
Fish 1
Fish 2
+3
5 hour trip • 4 persons
US $700