How to Fish Traverse City, Michigan: A Beginner's Guide to Salmon, Lake Trout, Smallmouth Bass, and Grand Traverse Bay

Traverse City sits at the base of Grand Traverse Bay, a deep, cold arm of Lake Michigan that splits into two forks around the Old Mission Peninsula. The bay holds lake trout year-round in the deep water, king and coho salmon from midsummer through fall, and some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the Great Lakes along the rocky shoals and drop-offs. The Boardman River flows through downtown and holds resident brown and brook trout. And when fall arrives, the rivers within an hour's drive — the Platte, the Betsie, the Manistee — fill with spawning salmon and steelhead in one of Michigan's most spectacular annual fishing events.

What makes Traverse City distinctive is the variety packed into a small area. You can troll for lake trout in 100 feet of water in the morning, cast to smallmouth bass on a rocky point in the afternoon, and fly fish for brown trout on the Boardman before dinner — all without driving more than 20 minutes.

Grand Traverse Bay: Lake Trout and Salmon

Grand Traverse Bay is the main event. The bay's deep, cold water — over 300 feet in the West Bay — holds lake trout year-round and draws massive runs of chinook (king) and coho salmon from Lake Michigan in late summer and fall.

Lake Trout

Lake trout are available in Grand Traverse Bay every month of the year. They hold in 60 to 150 feet of water over the bay's rocky bottom, feeding on cisco, alewife, and sculpins. Spring (April through May) and fall (October through November) are the most productive — the fish move shallower during these cooler periods and are more accessible to both trolling and jigging.

Trolling: The standard approach. A Shimano Tekota line-counter reel paired with a medium-action trolling rod, running Rapala Husky Jerk or Smithwick Perfect 10 stickbaits on lead-core line or downriggers at 50 to 100 feet. Trolling speed for lake trout is slow — 1.5 to 2.0 mph. Colors: silver blue, natural perch, and firetiger produce consistently.

Jigging: When fish are stacked on specific structure (rock piles, drop-offs), vertical jigging with a 3/4- to 1-ounce Swedish Pimple or a Northland Buckshot Rattle Spoon in glow or silver, tipped with a minnow head, dropped straight down to the bottom and worked with sharp snaps and pauses. This requires electronics to locate the fish first — a quality fish finder is essential.

Gear for trolling: A Shimano Tekota 500 line counter reel ($200) or Okuma Cold Water line counter ($80) on a 7- to 8-foot medium trolling rod. Spool with 20-pound monofilament or lead-core line. For jigging, a 6-foot medium-light spinning rod with a 2500-size reel and 10-pound braid.

Jigging Lake Trout in Grand Traverse Bay

King Salmon and Coho

Chinook (king) salmon enter the bay from Lake Michigan in mid-July and build through September. Kings average 15 to 25 pounds, with fish over 30 caught every season. Coho salmon follow from August through October, averaging 8 to 14 pounds and running in larger schools.

Trolling: The salmon are caught by trolling the same water as lake trout but at different depths and speeds. Kings hold in 40 to 80 feet during summer, moving shallower as fall progresses. Bandit and Rapala crankbaits in chrome, blue/silver, and green/chartreuse behind Dipsy Divers or downriggers at 2.0 to 2.8 mph. Spoons — Moonshine, Northern King, and Michigan Stinger — trolled behind dodgers also produce.

Where: The mouth of the East Bay where the deep water meets the channel is the traditional staging area. Kings also stack up off the Power Island reef and along the drop-offs on both sides of the Old Mission Peninsula.

What to expect: When a king hits the trolling spread, the rod slams down and the reel screams. Kings make powerful, sustained runs — a 20-pounder can strip 100 yards of line in seconds. The fight alternates between bulldogging runs and head-shaking surges near the boat. Coho are smaller but more acrobatic — they jump repeatedly and fight above their weight. A good salmon day on the bay produces 2 to 6 fish, with action concentrated in the early morning hours.

Charter: A charter is the best way for a first-timer to catch Grand Traverse Bay salmon. Half-day trips (5 hours): $400 to $600 for up to 6 anglers. Full-day: $600 to $900. The captain provides all tackle, lures, and electronics. Book July and August trips early — peak salmon season fills up fast.

Unforgettable Fishing in Grand Traverse Bay — Coho and King Salmon King Salmon Fishing in Traverse City — Fisherman's Digest

Smallmouth Bass: The Bay's Other Fishery

Grand Traverse Bay holds a world-class smallmouth bass population that doesn't get the national attention it deserves. Fish average 2 to 4 pounds, with 5-pounders common and the occasional 6-pound trophy. The clear water and rocky substrate create ideal smallmouth habitat along the entire bay shoreline.

Where: Rocky points, boulder fields, and gravel shoals in 5 to 20 feet of water along both the East and West Bay shorelines. The Old Mission Peninsula's east-facing shore, the rocks around Power Island, and the Elk Rapids shoreline are consistent producers. Smallmouth move deeper (20 to 35 feet) in the heat of summer and return shallow in September and October.

How: A 3-inch tube jig (Gitzit or Z-Man TRD) in smoke, green pumpkin, or brown, rigged on a 1/4-ounce jighead, dragged along the rocks with a slow hop-and-drag retrieve. Drop-shot rigs with a Roboworm or small Gulp minnow 12 inches above a 1/4-ounce sinker work in deeper water. Topwater — a Heddon Super Spook Jr. or Rapala Skitter Pop — produces explosive surface strikes in low-light conditions on calm mornings.

Gear: A 7-foot medium-light spinning rod with a 2500-size reel (Shimano Stradic FL 2500 or Pflueger President 2500) and 8-pound braided line with 6- to 8-pound fluorocarbon leader. The clear water demands light line — these fish are line-shy.

What to expect: Grand Traverse Bay smallmouth fight like they're trying to prove something. A 3-pound fish in cold, deep water pulls like five pounds. They make explosive runs toward structure, head-shake aggressively, and frequently go airborne. The combination of clear water, rocky structure, and cold Lake Michigan temperatures makes these some of the hardest-fighting smallmouth in the country. Even experienced bass anglers from the South are surprised by how hard a northern Great Lakes smallmouth pulls.

Best times: Late May through mid-June is the spawn — fish move onto shallow gravel flats in 3 to 8 feet and are the most accessible. This is sight-fishing territory — polarized sunglasses and a slow, quiet approach. Post-spawn (late June through July) fish scatter to mid-depth structure. September and October bring the fall feed — aggressive fish fattening up before winter, hitting reaction baits hard on rocky points and drop-offs.

Tremendous Lake Trout and Bass Fishing in Traverse City

The Boardman River: Downtown Fly Fishing

The Boardman River flows through the heart of Traverse City and holds brown trout, brook trout, and steelhead in its upper reaches. The best stretch for trout runs from Oleson Bridge downstream to Robbins Bridge — walk-and-wade water with gravel runs, undercut banks, and log jams that hold fish year-round.

Fly fishing: A 9-foot 4-weight fly rod handles the Boardman's resident trout. Match the hatch: Hendrickson mayflies in May, tan caddis through summer, sulphurs and Brown Drakes in June, and terrestrials (hoppers, ants, beetles) from July through September. When nothing's hatching, a small Woolly Bugger or Muddler Minnow swung through the deeper runs catches browns. The Boardman is catch-and-release for trout in most sections — check Michigan DNR regulations.

Spin fishing: A Blue Fox Vibrax spinner (#2 or #3) in gold or silver, cast upstream and retrieved just fast enough to feel the blade vibrate, catches brown and brook trout on the Boardman. Small Rapala Countdown minnows in rainbow trout or brown trout patterns also produce.

Steelhead run the Boardman from late October through April. These are big fish — 8 to 14 pounds — and the Boardman's smaller size makes for intense fights in tight quarters. Float fishing with spawn sacs or drifting egg patterns under an indicator are the standard techniques.

Traverse City Trout and Bass Fishing — Fisherman's Digest

Fall Salmon Runs: The Rivers Light Up

From mid-September through October, king and coho salmon push out of Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan into the rivers to spawn. The Platte River (30 minutes southwest), the Betsie River (40 minutes southwest), and the upper Boardman all get runs. Steelhead follow in November and continue through spring.

Platte River: The most accessible fall salmon river near Traverse City. Kings average 15 to 25 pounds and stack up in the deeper pools. Shore fishing with spawn sacs, skein, or cured eggs on a float rig is the standard approach. The Platte is wadeable in most sections, and the Michigan DNR maintains public access sites.

Betsie River: Similar to the Platte with excellent fall king and coho runs. The stretch from Homestead Dam to the mouth produces well.

Gear for river salmon: A 9- to 10-foot medium-heavy spinning rod (Okuma SST or St. Croix Triumph) with a 4000-size reel and 15-pound monofilament. Heavier than your bass or trout setup — these are big, powerful fish in fast current.

The experience: Fall salmon fishing on Michigan rivers is a spectacle — massive fish visible in waist-deep water, their dark backs breaking the surface as they hold in the current. The Platte River weir (a fish-counting structure near the mouth) concentrates fish in the pools below, and on peak days hundreds of salmon are visible. The fishing can be shoulder-to-shoulder at the popular holes, but the action is consistent and the fish are willing. Bring waders — you'll want to be in the water, not watching from the bank.

Inland Lakes: Bass, Pike, and Panfish

Within 30 minutes of Traverse City, a dozen inland lakes offer fishing that's completely different from the bay. Elk Lake, Crystal Lake, Glen Lake, Long Lake, and Torch Lake each have their own character and species mix.

Elk Lake holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and panfish. The weed edges in 6 to 12 feet of water produce consistent bass action with wacky-rigged Senkos and small spinnerbaits. Pike to 30 inches cruise the same weed edges — a white Mepps Aglia Bucktail in #4 or #5 retrieved fast along the outside weed line draws strikes.

Crystal Lake is deep and clear — similar to a Great Lakes bay in miniature. Lake trout inhabit the deep water, and smallmouth bass hold on the rocky shoreline. It fishes like a scaled-down version of Grand Traverse Bay.

Torch Lake — often called the most beautiful lake in Michigan for its Caribbean-blue water — holds lake trout, smallmouth, and panfish. The clarity rivals Grand Traverse Bay, demanding light line and natural presentations.

All inland lakes require a Michigan fishing license. Public launches are available on every lake, and small boat or kayak rentals are available through local outfitters in the Traverse City area.

Ice Fishing

Traverse City has excellent ice fishing from late December through March on the inland lakes. Boardman Lake (in town), Long Lake, Elk Lake, Glen Lake, and Crystal Lake all produce through the ice.

Perch and panfish are the primary ice targets. A small jigging spoon (Swedish Pimple or Hali Jig) tipped with a waxworm or spike grub, worked in 15 to 30 feet, catches perch, bluegill, and crappie. Portable shelters and electronics make the difference between a productive day and a cold, empty one.

Lake trout through the ice on Elk Lake and Crystal Lake is a unique Traverse City experience. Heavier jigging spoons (1 to 2 ounces) tipped with minnow in 60 to 100 feet of water. Patience required — lake trout through the ice bite in windows, not continuously.

Lake Trout and Cisco Fishing on Grand Traverse Bay

Gear for Beginners

Bay trolling (salmon and lake trout): A Shimano Tekota 500 line counter ($200) or Okuma Cold Water ($80) on a medium trolling rod. The charter provides everything if you're booking a trip — don't buy trolling gear unless you have your own boat.

Smallmouth bass: A 7-foot medium-light spinning rod with a 2500-size reel — Pflueger President Combo ($100) or Shimano Stradic FL 2500 ($230). Spool with 8-pound braid and 6-pound fluorocarbon leader.

River trout and steelhead: A 9-foot medium-light spinning rod with a 3000-size reel and 8-pound mono. Or for fly fishing: an Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit 9' 4wt ($300) covers the Boardman.

Terminal tackle: Tube jigs (3-inch, smoke and green pumpkin), Z-Man TRD, Rapala Husky Jerk in silver blue, Swedish Pimple in glow, Blue Fox Vibrax spinners (#2 and #3), and spawn sac supplies for fall salmon.

Fishing License

Michigan requires a fishing license for anyone 17 or older. Non-residents pay $78 annually or $10 for a 24-hour license — a great deal for a day trip. An all-species license covers everything: trout, salmon, bass, walleye, and panfish. No additional stamps needed. Buy online at mdnr-elicense.com or at any bait shop.

Summer Bass Fishing on Elk Lake in Traverse City

Top Fishing Guides in Traverse City

Traverse City sits at the base of Grand Traverse Bay with lake trout, king salmon, world-class smallmouth bass, and fly fishing rivers all within 20 minutes. Whether you want to troll for kings on the bay, jig for lake trout over deep structure, cast tubes to smallmouth on the rocky shoals, or fly fish the Boardman for brown trout, a Traverse City captain or guide puts you on the right water at the right time.

Mega Bite Fishing Charters

Traverse City, MI, US

5.0 (179 reviews)

MB Charters brings decades of professional fishing expertise to Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City, Michigan. Their experienced team specializes in pursuing lake trout, brown trout, king salmon, and steelhead throughout the seasons, matching tactics and target species to optimal fishing conditions. Whether anglers are beginners seeking their first catch or seasoned fishermen chasing trophy-class fish, MB Charters designs trips to match every skill level and preference. The operation offers flexible trip styles, from big boat adventures to intimate small boat jigging sessions, all supported by quality gear and attentive guide work. MB Charters' commitment to personalized service and deep knowledge of Northern Michigan's premier waters ensures each outing delivers both productive fishing and genuine enjoyment on the water.

Sport Fish Michigan

Traverse City, MI, US

5.0 (164 reviews)

Sport Fish Michigan specializes in year-round guided fishing adventures across some of Michigan's most productive waters. Operating on Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan, and the Detroit River, their experienced captains tailor each trip to match anglers' skill levels and goals, whether pursuing trophy smallmouth bass, walleye, or other seasonal species. The team combines light tackle techniques with deep knowledge of local conditions to maximize success throughout the year. Sport Fish Michigan welcomes everyone from families and friend groups to corporate teams, customizing trips to create memorable days on the water.

Central Coast Angling

Traverse City, MI, US

5.0 (139 reviews)

Central Coast Angling Captain Bob Hinds leads Central Coast Angling in offering personalized charter fishing experiences across the pristine waters of Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan. Specializing in jumbo perch, lake trout, and king salmon, the operation combines local expertise with intimate, small-vessel fishing that allows anglers to access prime fishing grounds with agility and precision. Based in Traverse City, Central Coast Angling provides a strategic advantage for exploring northern lower Michigan's most productive waters. The smaller charter boat enables flexible navigation to the best seasonal spots, ensuring every trip is tailored to conditions and species availability. Whether pursuing trophy lake trout or active salmon runs, anglers can expect attentive service and a genuine connection to the region's exceptional freshwater fishery.

Fresh Coast Fly

Traverse City, MI, US

5.0 (139 reviews)

Fresh Coast Fly is a premier fly fishing guide service based in Traverse City, Michigan, led by Captain Jon "Chewy" Stefanciw. With over 25 years of fishing experience and 15 years of professional guiding, Captain Chewy brings deep expertise and genuine passion to every trip. The service specializes in guided fly fishing for trout, steelhead, smallmouth bass, pike, carp, and panfish across pristine Northern Michigan rivers and lakes. Fresh Coast Fly stands out for unique offerings including night fishing expeditions for trophy brown trout and steelhead, as well as customized fly tying tailored to Great Lakes conditions. Whether anglers are beginners seeking to learn the fundamentals or experienced fly fishers pursuing new challenges, Captain Chewy designs trips to match skill levels and individual goals.

Pure Angling

Traverse City, MI, US

5.0 (32 reviews)

Pure Angling is a premier fishing charter service serving Traverse City and Elk Rapids, Michigan. Specializing in the pristine waters of Grand Traverse Bay, they guide anglers in pursuit of lake trout, cisco, and salmon using proven techniques including trolling, jigging, and casting. Whether you're an experienced angler or picking up a rod for the first time, their knowledgeable team crafts memorable experiences tailored to all skill levels. Operating from April through October, Pure Angling provides everything needed for a successful day on the water—equipment, expertise, and professional fish cleaning services included. Their family-friendly approach and deep knowledge of local waters ensure that every trip reflects both their commitment to customer satisfaction and their passion for the region's outstanding fishery.

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The Ultimate Charter Fishing

Traverse City, MI, US

5.0 (9 reviews)

The Ultimate Charter Fishing Captain Dale Ealy brings years of professional expertise to The Ultimate Charter Fishing, a premier fishing charter service operating in the pristine waters around Traverse City and Elk Rapids in Northern Michigan. Specializing in Salmon, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, and Steelhead, the charter is dedicated to creating memorable fishing experiences for anglers of all skill levels. What sets this charter apart is its genuine commitment to accessibility and family-friendly service. With flexible trip options designed to match each angler's goals and experience, Captain Ealy ensures every guest receives personalized attention and instruction. Whether pursuing trophy fish or introducing loved ones to the sport, The Ultimate Charter Fishing delivers a welcoming, professional experience in some of the Great Lakes region's most rewarding fishing grounds.

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