Do you love to fish? Would you rather be casting a line than just about anything you can think of? Then the Petoskey Area of northern Michigan is definitely where you should be. Our lakeside communities of Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor, and Boyne City, MI are a fisherman’s dream come true.
Whether you want to fly fish area rivers, hire a Lake Michigan charter, toss a line from a dock, or bring your own fishing boat and spend the day on the lake, Petoskey, MI has you covered.
Walloon Lake is surrounded by 52 miles of wooded shoreline and is full of bass and walleye. Petoskey’s Bear River is where you’ll find brook trout, salmon, and steelhead. Lake Charlevoix in Boyne City (USA Today named it runner-up for America’s Best Lake) is where you’ll find walleye, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, bluegills, and rock bass. In Alanson, you can reel in largemouth bass, yellow perch, northern pike, walleye, and bluegill – Crooked Lake and the Inland Waterway. And those who hit Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay will likely pull in trout, salmon, bass and steelhead.
There are also numerous lesser-known lakes and streams where you can try your luck, and most likely catch your limit. Check out the DNR’s Weekly Fishing Report. The Fishing Report and DNR licensing information is also available online: HERE.
To make your northern Michigan fishing experience everything you want it to be, check out this list of charters, places for learning, and guide services below.
Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls
Whether it is chasing wild browns or rainbows Boyne Outfitters will provide you with patient, knowledgeable guides.
Harbor Springs
Explore Northern Michigan’s premier trout waters in a custom-built cedar drift boat. Whether you are new to fly fishing, or a seasoned angler, our northern rivers and streams have much to offer anyone seeking elusive trout. Visit the website for rates and complete details.
805 Second Street, Boyne City
231.582.2202 ~ 231.675.3523 ~ fishboyne.com
Let DNR-licensed guide Bryce Hewitt ‘hook you up with the big one’ on Walloon Lake. Bryce is a local inland lake fisherman specializing in bass, walleye and pike. Pricing available at www.fishboyne.com.
7688 Maple River Road, Brutus
231.549.6064 ~ hiddenriver.com
Known as a best-kept secret, the Maple River is considered one of the premier trout streams in northern Michigan and Hidden River Golf & Casting Club offers the best private access to this wonderful body of water.
Jordan Valley Trout Pond – PERMANENTLY CLOSED
5245 N. M-66 Highway, East Jordan
A terrific place to bring the kids. The ponds are stocked with rainbow trout and there’s no license required to fish here. Tackle and poles are furnished. Open 10am to 5pm, Monday-Sunday, from the last Saturday in April thru October 31st.
Bayfront Drive, Petoskey
This KID’S ONLY fishing pond is the perfect place to bring your youngster and show how it’s done. The pond has been stocked with trout and comes complete with a wheelchair ramp and fishing platform so all kids can enjoy it.
3377 U.S. 31, Oden
231.348.0998
This is a must-see cultural treasure! Informative guided hatchery tours, weekly nature programs, self-guided hiking/nature trails, interpretive exhibits and interactive displays. Birders may even see an osprey or bald eagle. Special programs for families and group tours are available by appointment. Admission and programs are FREE.
Bay Harbor Lake Marina, Bay Harbor
231.357.1513 ~ bayharborfishing.com
Fish the Great Lakes in style and comfort…and land the BIG ONES too! King salmon, Coho salmon, pink salmon, Atlantic salmon, steelhead, lake trout, brown trout and the occasional monster walleye have all been caught during Plumber’s Helper Charters. Call for rates.
101 East Lake St., Petoskey
989.306.1186 ~ rodzillacharters.com
Rodzilla Fishing Charters can accommodate up to five people per trip and runs out of the Petoskey Marina. Rates vary; call for information.
Ruddy Duck Charters
Petoskey
231.347.3232
Join the crew that loves fishing and book a day with Ruddy Duck Charters. We’ll lead you to the trout and the salmon – you reel ’em in! For pricing information and further details, please call.
1590 Harbor-Petoskey Road, Petoskey
Here you may see ducks, swans, turtles, and frogs. For birders, this is also a terrific place to catch a glimpse of Yellow Warblers, Sandhill Cranes, Eastern Kingbirds and other nesting birds in the summer. Songbirds and waterfowl migrate here in the spring and fall. The enclosed deck is a perfect place for little ones to try and catch their first fish!
Boyne City
From beginner to expert, Brian Koz can
share his experience with all levels of anglers on The Jordan, Boyne, Sturgeon, Maple and Manistee Rivers. Whether walk-in & wading or floating down one of these rivers, True North Trout has you covered with rods/reels and waders.
Petoskey
231.675.1127
Fishing charters are available by appointment for up to six passengers on Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan. Salmon, lake trout, walleye and bass. Bring home dinner!
About the author
Ellen Auten is a native of the area and loves to promote the next fun thing to do in the Petoskey Area – but also loves giving out local favorites and learning opportunities for all. She hopes to help in your planning process for your next trip to the Petoskey Area of northern Lower Michigan.
