Lake Michigan Ice Fishing Charters

26 Fishing Charters

Lake Michigan: 26 fishing charters available
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(8 reviews)
Traverse City
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $400
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(29 reviews)
Sturgeon Bay
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $450
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(50 reviews)
Grand Rapids
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $145
Excellent
4.8 / 5
(51 reviews)
Oak Creek
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $250
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(7 reviews)
Sheboygan
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $350
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(1 review)
Sturgeon Bay
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $150
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(5 reviews)
Sturgeon Bay
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $500
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(14 reviews)
Oconto
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $550

Ice Fishing in Lake Michigan

Ice fishing on Lake Michigan is your ticket to an unforgettable winter adventure. If you’re “itchin’ to go fishin’” or simply looking for a new way to leave your comfort zone, put on your warmest clothes and head out to the frozen kingdom. As ice fishing requires a different approach, make sure to take this trip with a professional guide.
 

When to Go

Most fishing guides run their ice fishing trips from mid-December till mid-March. Each year’s season depends on weather conditions, so it sometimes starts as late as  January. You may be eager to start your trip as soon as possible but it’s better to be patient and wait for the ice to get thicker – safety first!
 
If you’re not sure what time of day to head out, many fishing guides recommend early morning. This is because fish react to temperature and light change, so you can expect the most activity and hardest bites as the sun rises.
 

What to Expect

If you picture an ice fishing experience as standing above a hole in the ice with a rod and freezing, you’ll be happy to know it’s nothing like that. Most captains in the area use heated ice shacks, so you’ll be safe from the cold wind. Just be sure to dress warm enough and feel free to ask your guide what to expect ahead of time.
 
Your fishing guide will drill several holes in the ice, provide you with fishing equipment, and then it’s mostly a waiting game. Once you get used to the surroundings, you’ll find that it’s actually quite relaxing.
 
The usual winter catches are Walleye and Lake Whitefish, but significant numbers of Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Trout are there too. Yellow Perch is a great fish to start with if you’re a novice or bringing your kid, as they require less skill than Walleye. 
 

Need to Know

  • Anglers age 17 or older need to have a valid fishing license. 

  • During the Free Fishing Weekend in February, everyone can fish without a fishing license. This applies to both residents and out-of-state visitors.

  • Ice shacks can be very comfortable and warm, but the “floor” is still lake ice – make sure to wear thick socks and warm boots.

 
A Lake Michigan ice fishing trip is something you ought to try at least once. Some anglers even prefer winter fishing, and the only way to find out why is to give it a go yourself! 
 
Lake Michigan
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Based on 29,146 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

What anglers said about Ice Fishing in Lake Michigan

If you want Salmon come in the last of September thru 2 nd week in October. If you want steel head come later part of October. Avoid the crowds and come midweek.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
If you want Salmon come in the last of September thru 2 nd week in October. If you want steel head come later part of October. Avoid the crowds and come midweek.
Manistee River Fishing Company
Manistee River Fishing Company
Late in the season for trout and salmon but the Cisco was fun to catch. Good mild fish, cleaning was a little tricky with all the small bones. Lots of small lakes but not a ton of public access or good shore fishing.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Late in the season for trout and salmon but the Cisco was fun to catch. Good mild fish, cleaning was a little tricky with all the small bones. Lots of small lakes but not a ton of public access or good shore fishing.
Pure Angling โ€“ Lake Trout, Salmon (Troll/Jig)
Pure Angling โ€“ Lake Trout, Salmon (Troll/Jig)
Do yourself a favor and book a charter the first day so the experienced captains can show you how to catch your target fish.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Do yourself a favor and book a charter the first day so the experienced captains can show you how to catch your target fish.
Manistee River Fishing Company
Manistee River Fishing Company
Terry knows his craft and is professional so there is nothing to recommend because he knows his craft so well.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Terry knows his craft and is professional so there is nothing to recommend because he knows his craft so well.
Latitude 44 Charters
Latitude 44 Charters
Keep an eye on weather changes leading up to charter trip dates. Have a blast!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Keep an eye on weather changes leading up to charter trip dates. Have a blast!
Lentner Rip Charters
Lentner Rip Charters
Connect with James Jarvis. He has the right boat and all of the gear to have a good time and go home with fish.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Connect with James Jarvis. He has the right boat and all of the gear to have a good time and go home with fish.
Steelhead Fanatics Guide Service
Steelhead Fanatics Guide Service
Be prepared for any weather in the fall. Be on time and respectful of your captains.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Be prepared for any weather in the fall. Be on time and respectful of your captains.
All Tackle Fisherman
All Tackle Fisherman
Dress right. Go to tippy dam rec area. If you just tell the gps tippy dam you will go to the wrong side of the dam and be 20 minutes late.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Dress right. Go to tippy dam rec area. If you just tell the gps tippy dam you will go to the wrong side of the dam and be 20 minutes late.
Manistee River Fishing Company
Manistee River Fishing Company
Take along something to drink as well as hand wipes if you don't like the smell of fish on your hands. Sunscreen might be a consideration as well as a jacket or sweatshirt for a extra covering.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Take along something to drink as well as hand wipes if you don't like the smell of fish on your hands. Sunscreen might be a consideration as well as a jacket or sweatshirt for a extra covering.
Michigan Addiction Sport Fishing 38
Michigan Addiction Sport Fishing 38
Expect to catch some fish, but not the allowed limits. Just enjoy the day on the water.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Expect to catch some fish, but not the allowed limits. Just enjoy the day on the water.
Book Me A Boat โ€“ 39' Flybridge
Book Me A Boat โ€“ 39' Flybridge
All four of us were first timers fishing on Lake Michigan. There was a 55 year gap in our ages. Everyone had a great time catching fish and appreciating an opportunity to be on the lake. We received the professional support when needed but had the thrill of reeling in the fish.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
All four of us were first timers fishing on Lake Michigan. There was a 55 year gap in our ages. Everyone had a great time catching fish and appreciating an opportunity to be on the lake. We received the professional support when needed but had the thrill of reeling in the fish.
FishGH โ€“ Danel
FishGH โ€“ Danel
Keep an eye on the Lake Michigan conditions. We were very fortunate to have had a majestic evening on the lake with calm conditions.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Keep an eye on the Lake Michigan conditions. We were very fortunate to have had a majestic evening on the lake with calm conditions.
Nolanโ€™s Top Gun Charters
Nolanโ€™s Top Gun Charters
Beautiful small port. Parking is cheap. Everything is clean and well marked.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Beautiful small port. Parking is cheap. Everything is clean and well marked.
Nolanโ€™s Top Gun Charters
Nolanโ€™s Top Gun Charters
Talk to your captain ahead of time to see when the best times are to go and if there is somthing specific you would like to catch.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Talk to your captain ahead of time to see when the best times are to go and if there is somthing specific you would like to catch.
Sea Flea Charters LLC
Sea Flea Charters LLC
Itโ€™s a beautiful place. Just remember itโ€™s called fishing and not killing. Captain Art will do his best to put you on the fish. We had a successful day. Remember to tip your Captain. He works hard!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Itโ€™s a beautiful place. Just remember itโ€™s called fishing and not killing. Captain Art will do his best to put you on the fish. We had a successful day. Remember to tip your Captain. He works hard!
Whitecap Charters โ€“ Little Traverse Bay
Whitecap Charters โ€“ Little Traverse Bay
Considering the weather and northern winds we did really well comparatively to the other boats. But I love fishing Sheboygan beautiful town. Great beach
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Considering the weather and northern winds we did really well comparatively to the other boats. But I love fishing Sheboygan beautiful town. Great beach
Top Notch Sportfishing โ€“ Boat 1
Top Notch Sportfishing โ€“ Boat 1
Dress appropriately. Bring water and snacks. Appreciate the great resource and have fun.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Dress appropriately. Bring water and snacks. Appreciate the great resource and have fun.
Finquest Sportfishing
Finquest Sportfishing
Fishing in and around Manistee Michigan is good mostly year around. You can catch anything from pan fish to Salmon.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Fishing in and around Manistee Michigan is good mostly year around. You can catch anything from pan fish to Salmon.
Elsie K Charters โ€“ Lake Michigan
Elsie K Charters โ€“ Lake Michigan
Just have fun. You canโ€™t really control what type of fish you will catch.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Just have fun. You canโ€™t really control what type of fish you will catch.
Top Dog Charters
Top Dog Charters
Fishing at the end of August is some what slow you donโ€™t catch quantity but more quality fish as in the size of the fish do your research and find a great captain who nowโ€™s were to find the fish I recommend The Line Dancer with captain Don and Bob
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Fishing at the end of August is some what slow you donโ€™t catch quantity but more quality fish as in the size of the fish do your research and find a great captain who nowโ€™s were to find the fish I recommend The Line Dancer with captain Don and Bob
Line Dancer Sport Fishing
Line Dancer Sport Fishing

Top Targeted Ice Fishing Species in Lake Michigan