If you’re looking to catch salmon… NoMi Fishing Charters is the move. Dude’s like the salmon whisperer or something..he knows where they hang out, what they’re eating, probably knows their moms’ names too.

We hopped on his boat and it was smooth sailing the whole way. Clean, comfortable, and he had everything dialed in. You don’t feel like you signed up with some corporate gig, you feel like you’re out with a buddy who just happens to know the Great Lakes like the back of his hand. He’ll set you up and before you know it you’re pulling in a salmon that looks like it’s been lifting weights all winter.

They say the Dogman haunts Northern Michigan, but after seeing Captain Pilarski’s fishing expertise, I think the real legend’s on the boat.

If you’re anywhere near northern Michigan, stop what you’re doing and book this trip – you won’t regret it! Our day with Captain Pilarski on his boat “Big Red”, was nothing short of unforgettable. From the moment we left the dock, the water was calm, the views of East Bay were stunning, and the excitement was through the roof.

We were into fish in no time – hard-fighting king salmon that tested every muscle, and big, beautiful lake trout that had us grinning ear to ear. The captain knew exactly where to go, reading the water and working the gear like a pro.

If you want a bucket-list-worthy fishing experience in Traverse City, hit up Capt Pilarski right away! Would recommend and will go fishing again.

Man this guy must have the worlds best fish whistle… we’ve been able to go out on the water with Ethan and the NoMi Fishing crew multiple times now. Each trip has been nothing short of fun and full of fish… lakers, coho,  and kings have been the majority of our trips but these guys know how to find whatever’s in season! We had Ethan as a Captain and he knew everything about the local fishing scene being a lifelong resident of Traverse City which made for an experience better than any other charter we’ve ever used in the area. The boat was safe and comfortable for us every time out on the water, which is huge for me as I can’t swim… Ethan made me feel like I was in caring hands and showed me how to use the whistle just in case! We’ve caught fish each time we’re out with NoMi, but even if we didn’t catch anything the experience would’ve been worth the trip!

We will be back using NoMi Fishing Charters every chance we get! Can’t recommend them enough.

I can’t recommend NoMi Fishing Charters highly enough! Two friends and I had the pleasure of fishing with Captain Pilarski, and he absolutely delivered. He knew all the local hot spots and helped us land some monster salmon. What impressed me most was his ability to balance patience with instructing the less experienced anglers in our group while still keeping it engaging for the more seasoned ones. It was the perfect mix of professionalism, expertise, and fun. We’ll definitely be booking with NoMi Fishing Charters again. If you want to catch fish, Captain Pilarski is your guy!

I had an absolutely incredible time on our salmon fishing trip with Captain Ethan. We caught 7 beautiful fish, and the entire experience was top-notch from start to finish.

Captain Ethan was extremely knowledgeable, offering helpful tips and guidance tailored to all skill levels—whether you’re a seasoned angler or a complete beginner. His patience and expertise made everyone feel confident and engaged throughout the trip.

The atmosphere on board was welcoming and relaxed, making it easy to enjoy the day and focus on the thrill of the catch. You can tell Captain Ethan genuinely loves what he does, and it shows in how he treats his guests and runs his boat.

I couldn’t recommend this trip enough—if you’re looking for a memorable fishing adventure with a fantastic guide, this is the one to book!