Art of Fishing Guide Service

5.0/5 (16 reviews)

27600 Jefferson Avenue, St. Clair Shores, MI 48081, United States–

St. Clair Shores, MI, United States

–

22 ft

5.0/5 (16 reviews)

Book your next trip with Art Ferguson, a 4-time Bassmaster Classic Qualifier who's been guiding on these waters for 34 years! Come fish at Art of Fishing Guide Service and find out what you're missing in St. Clair Shores. Best known for its world class Smallmouth Bass Fishery, it also has plenty of Largemouth Bass.

We use all lures on these trips and Art will supply anything needed. From the most advanced tournament pros to total beginners, Art will accommodate your needs on the water. Most angling is lighter spinning tackle.

Families making a day of it will be glad to know that kids are welcome aboard! Customers are encouraged to bring snacks so that everyone stays happy and energized!

Captain Art runs a 22' Triton Center Console Bay Boat with space for 4-5 anglers. It's set up with all the latest gear, graphs and trolling motor while pushed with a 250 hp Mercury Pro XS motor for those long runs. Capt. Art will supply rods and reels for you.

You will need to buy a local fishing license before the trip. This information is usually available online, or you can ask the captain. Some species may be off limits or require a special tag, so make sure you know what to expect.

Don't forget to bring sunscreen (non-spray), and sunglasses. Bottled water will be available for you. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, just avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles.

If there's more you'd like to know about fishing with Art of Fishing Guide Service, you can send Capt. Art a message down below.

Thanks!

Families making a day of it will be glad to know that kids are welcome aboard! Customers are encouraged to bring snacks so that everyone stays happy and energized!

Don't forget to bring sunscreen (non-spray), and sunglasses. Bottled water will be available for you. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, just avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles.

If there's more you'd like to know about fishing with Art of Fishing Guide Service, you can send Capt. Art a message down below.

Thanks!

Popular features

You keep catch

Drinks

Toilet

Child friendly

Ice box

Popular features

You keep catch

Drinks

Toilet

Child friendly

Ice box

Customer reviews

Rating

5.0

16 reviews

5.0

Boat & equipment

5.0

Captain & crew

5.0

Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (58)

All reviews (16)

Filter

Sort by: Featured

Frequently mentioned

Showing 1 – 5 of 16 reviews

Chris Harris

Illinois, US

•

Member since 2025

5.0

Verified

Fantastic Smallmouth Fishing!

Full Day Trip on September 22, 2025 • 2 adults

My wife & I have a daughter that lives in the Detroit area. In 9/2024, we came up to visit her. Have seen many shows on the Outdoor channel on fishing Lake St.Claire. Started looking online for a guide to fish with “Art of fishing” was at the top of the page.  Contacted him to see if he had a day open to fit our schedule. Turns out it was one of the best calls I have ever made.  That day last September we caught many nice quality small mouth.  With my wife catching one at 5lbs. Art has many years experience on this gigantic beautiful lake.  With vast knowledge of what the fish are doing, what the bait fish & shad are doing, water temp, and water color, and he has a recipe for small mouth success! It’s not like you’re fishing with a guide but you’re fishing with a friend. We fished with Art this September for two days.  I’m not going to give numbers but we caught many, many quality small mouth both days.  Many over 4+ lbs. I caught my PB with a 5 lb 12 oz. monster! Art will work his tail off to put you on fish!  Give him a call you won’t be disappointed!! C & CH

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

September 29, 2025

Thanks Chris! Awesome 2 days! I appreciate the kind words. Hope to see you soon

Dale Winnett

Ohio, US

•

Member since 2025

5.0

Verified

Best. Fishing Trip. Ever

Full Day Trip on September 13, 2025 • 4 adults

Best. Fishing Trip. Ever.
We booked a trip with Art Ferguson for my son’s 13th birthday, and it turned into the fishing experience we’ll be talking about for years. My son and two of his buddies were buzzing with excitement, and Art delivered in every way imaginable.

We absolutely slammed the smallmouth—70 landed in the boat, with even more we should’ve had! And get this: 10 of those fish were over 4 pounds. That’s not just a good day on the water—that’s legendary. But the real win wasn’t just the numbers. It was Art’s patience, humor, and heart. He took the time to teach the boys, joke with them, and make each one feel like a pro. It wasn’t just a guided trip—it felt like we were out with an old friend who genuinely cared about making the day unforgettable.

From the moment we stepped on the boat, Art handled everything with ease and warmth. The weather was perfect, the fish were biting, and the vibe was pure joy. He made the boys laugh, encouraged them, and gave them a birthday memory that’s going to live in family lore forever.

If you’re looking for a guide who knows the water, connects with kids, and turns a day of fishing into something truly special—Art Ferguson is your guy. We were blessed with a beautiful day, but even more blessed to spend it with someone who made it an amazing day!

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

September 14, 2025

Thank you for the kind words!! I do enjoy fishing with young men who show an interest in my life long passion and they performed in manners and learning abilities to make for an incredible day!  5-1 topped off the trip on our 64th bass at the time!!  Wild stuff!   

Chandler Rice

Indiana, US

•

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

New

Best Guide out there! Excellent Trip!!

Full Day Trip on May 28, 2026 • 2 adults • 1 child

We had an excellent trip! Weather was nice but the wind was blowing tough. Art still knew where to go and put us on the fish! Our 4 year old had a blast! Would recommend Art to anyone looking to make a guide trip!

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

June 1, 2026

awesome day!! thanks again!

Arthur Stepp

Ohio, US

•

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

New

We had so much FUN !! Caught some really nice fish and laughed all day 😂..e

Full Day Trip on June 9, 2026 • 2 adults

We caught a lot of really nice Smallmouth  Bass, Art was really good at taking care of us Great Captain . We hope to go again 😁 !!

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

June 9, 2026

thank you guys. The weather tried to beat us but we won!  Thanks for sharing a day of your life with me! Great day! Hope to fish with you again also!

John Farris

Repeat angler

Indiana, US

•

Member since 2023

•

4 trips

5.0

Verified

New

Great Trip!!!

3/4 Day Trip on June 7, 2026 • 3 adults • 1 child

Captain Art kept us on the smallmouth all day long. We landed over 40 fish on our trip. Can't wait to go back!  Highly recommended!!

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

June 7, 2026

thanks John! A beautiful day and great time on the water with you guys. Congrats on your tied for PB!! 

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:

Group Size:

Select date to see availability

June 2026

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa

Number of days

Group Size

2 adults • 0 children

Change

Almost there...

Half Day Trip (AM)

4 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM

Seasonal trip

Apr 28 - Nov 25

US $400

Entire boat: 2 people

US $400

Entire boat: 2 people

3/4 Day Trip

6 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM

Seasonal trip

Apr 28 - Nov 25

US $500

Entire boat: 2 people

US $500

Entire boat: 2 people

Full Day Trip

8 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM

Seasonal trip

Apr 28 - Nov 25

US $550

Entire boat: 2 people

US $550

Entire boat: 2 people

There are 9 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating

5.0

16 reviews

5.0

Boat & equipment

5.0

Captain & crew

5.0

Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (58)

All reviews (16)

Filter

Sort by: Featured

Frequently mentioned

Showing 1 – 5 of 16 reviews

Chris Harris

Illinois, US

Member since 2025

5.0

Verified

Fantastic Smallmouth Fishing!

Full Day Trip on September 22, 2025 • 2 adults

My wife & I have a daughter that lives in the Detroit area. In 9/2024, we came up to visit her. Have seen many shows on the Outdoor channel on fishing Lake St.Claire. Started looking online for a guide to fish with “Art of fishing” was at the top of the page.  Contacted him to see if he had a day open to fit our schedule. Turns out it was one of the best calls I have ever made.  That day last September we caught many nice quality small mouth.  With my wife catching one at 5lbs. Art has many years experience on this gigantic beautiful lake.  With vast knowledge of what the fish are doing, what the bait fish & shad are doing, water temp, and water color, and he has a recipe for small mouth success! It’s not like you’re fishing with a guide but you’re fishing with a friend. We fished with Art this September for two days.  I’m not going to give numbers but we caught many, many quality small mouth both days.  Many over 4+ lbs. I caught my PB with a 5 lb 12 oz. monster! Art will work his tail off to put you on fish!  Give him a call you won’t be disappointed!! C & CH

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

September 29, 2025

Thanks Chris! Awesome 2 days! I appreciate the kind words. Hope to see you soon

Dale Winnett

Ohio, US

Member since 2025

5.0

Verified

Best. Fishing Trip. Ever

Full Day Trip on September 13, 2025 • 4 adults

Best. Fishing Trip. Ever.
We booked a trip with Art Ferguson for my son’s 13th birthday, and it turned into the fishing experience we’ll be talking about for years. My son and two of his buddies were buzzing with excitement, and Art delivered in every way imaginable.

We absolutely slammed the smallmouth—70 landed in the boat, with even more we should’ve had! And get this: 10 of those fish were over 4 pounds. That’s not just a good day on the water—that’s legendary. But the real win wasn’t just the numbers. It was Art’s patience, humor, and heart. He took the time to teach the boys, joke with them, and make each one feel like a pro. It wasn’t just a guided trip—it felt like we were out with an old friend who genuinely cared about making the day unforgettable.

From the moment we stepped on the boat, Art handled everything with ease and warmth. The weather was perfect, the fish were biting, and the vibe was pure joy. He made the boys laugh, encouraged them, and gave them a birthday memory that’s going to live in family lore forever.

If you’re looking for a guide who knows the water, connects with kids, and turns a day of fishing into something truly special—Art Ferguson is your guy. We were blessed with a beautiful day, but even more blessed to spend it with someone who made it an amazing day!

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

September 14, 2025

Thank you for the kind words!! I do enjoy fishing with young men who show an interest in my life long passion and they performed in manners and learning abilities to make for an incredible day!  5-1 topped off the trip on our 64th bass at the time!!  Wild stuff!   

Chandler Rice

Indiana, US

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

New

Best Guide out there! Excellent Trip!!

Full Day Trip on May 28, 2026 • 2 adults • 1 child

We had an excellent trip! Weather was nice but the wind was blowing tough. Art still knew where to go and put us on the fish! Our 4 year old had a blast! Would recommend Art to anyone looking to make a guide trip!

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

June 1, 2026

awesome day!! thanks again!

Arthur Stepp

Ohio, US

Member since 2026

5.0

Verified

New

We had so much FUN !! Caught some really nice fish and laughed all day 😂..e

Full Day Trip on June 9, 2026 • 2 adults

We caught a lot of really nice Smallmouth  Bass, Art was really good at taking care of us Great Captain . We hope to go again 😁 !!

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

June 9, 2026

thank you guys. The weather tried to beat us but we won!  Thanks for sharing a day of your life with me! Great day! Hope to fish with you again also!

John Farris

Repeat angler

Indiana, US

Member since 2023

4 trips

5.0

Verified

New

Great Trip!!!

3/4 Day Trip on June 7, 2026 • 3 adults • 1 child

Captain Art kept us on the smallmouth all day long. We landed over 40 fish on our trip. Can't wait to go back!  Highly recommended!!

Reported catch:

Response from Captain

June 7, 2026

thanks John! A beautiful day and great time on the water with you guys. Congrats on your tied for PB!! 

FAQs about Art of Fishing Guide Service

The fish you can target

What is the boat like?

Boat category

Center console boats

Capacity

4 persons

Boat length

22 ft

Year built

2025

Restored in

2026

Boat manufacturer

Triton

Boat type

Center console

Engine model

Mercury

1 x 250HP

Max cruising speed

57 knots

Art of Fishing Guide Service

Customer reviews

Rating

Anglers' gallery (58)

All reviews (16)

Trip availability and prices

Customer reviews

Rating

Anglers' gallery (58)

All reviews (16)

FAQs about Art of Fishing Guide Service

The fish you can target

What is the boat like?

What’s biting in St. Clair Shores right now

Compare similar fishing charters