Thank you so much for your interest in our guided fishing trips on the Pere Marquette River or our charters on Lake Michigan. Directly below is an outline of our river operation that we hope will answer all of your questions and if you scroll down below that, you’ll find some information on our charters…
We look forward to the possibly spending a quality day on the river with you and are committed to giving you the best trip possible on any given day. Please keep in mind however, that making the fish bite when they’re shut down at times and the weather, are out of our control.
All of our river trips are catch and release and we cater to most methods including fly-fishing, float fishing and spinning gear. Please let us know if you have a preference at the time of booking so that we can better plan your trip or, be sure you discuss it with your guide prior. (Want some fish for the table that you caught? Consider one of our Lake Michigan charter boat trips below! “We believe” in letting them do their business if they are lucky enough to reach the river and are in that mode…)
Our guides welcome all skill levels; from advanced anglers to first-timers. No worries, it is YOUR trip and we will work with you to meet your goals and exceed your expectations. Plus, we like to encourage today’s youth to fish, so a youngster as a partner is always welcome along!
Guided trips are $600.00 for a standard full day trip (one or two anglers) year round, $900.00 for a full day with three anglers. (Only certain guides offer the 3 man trip. Check with the shop when booking.) $475.00 for a half day trip (one or two anglers) and $700.00 for a half day with three. Half day trips are only available in the off-season. (Off season varies with our major fish migrations. Guide rates are subject to change. Inquire when calling.) A full day consists of 8 hours pick up to drop off and a half day is 4. McKenzie-style drift boats are used as our primary source of river transportation.
Details on Your Day
We include all flies and lures in the cost of the trip! Also included is transportation to and from the river (from BBT), all other tackle (i.e. rods, reels, line, leader, weights, tippet, etc…), *drinks, a hot lunch or dinner on a full day trip in fall, winter & spring and cold lunch in summer. (Snacks on a half.) Please let us know if there are any special dietary needs. (i.e. diet pop, vegetarian, etc.)
You will need to bring: Fishing license with ID, chest waders, polarized sunglasses, rain gear, appropriate clothing layers and whatever flies or lures you have that you feel may be of use if you would like to use them. (Our guides will have a good selection of productive flies or lures for the season which is included in the cost of the trip.) Dress appropriately.
Booking a River Trip
To book a trip, we will need a major credit card number with an expiration date past that of the scheduled trip date, or the full trip fee at the time of booking. (Credit card numbers are used only as a retainer and you may pay by whatever means you choose after the trip. There is a 3.25% service fee on credit cards and cancellations within 30 days’ notice will be charged the entire fee.) We will also need a mailing address, as well as a home and/or cell phone numbers.
Please call 231-745-3529 to book a trip.
E-mail often doesn’t work as open dates can change rapidly.
Time of trip departure is typically set a day or two in advance and the area of river that will be floated is decided the day of the trip due to changing fish or bug migration and/or conditions.
Baldwin Bait & Tackle Inc.
*Due to insurance policies, your guide cannot supply alcoholic beverages. Please speak with your guide personally before bringing any along.
**Gratuity, if earned, (customarily 20%) is not included in the fee.
🎣NEW FOR 2026!!🎣
Charters on The Big Lake!
(Targeting Salmon, Steelhead, Brown & Lake Trout.)
We are USCG & DNR licensed, insured & fully inspected!
Both Captain Steve Fraley and his business partner/mate John Robinson must be available in order to book a Lake Michigan Charter; these are available from May 1st to August 31st annually. Currently we are only offering trips that are 6 hours dock to dock or your fish limit, whatever comes first. (Your catch will be cleaned and bagged for you.) There are two options; am or pm and you should contact the shop for current start times.
Trips are aboard the vessel “Stumpy”, Steve and John’s 30′ Cruisers Yachts Villa Vee that is based out of Manistee. They purchased (and have very successfully tested 😉) all new rods and reels to go with this new (to them) vessel and they run premium electronics on board to help in the pursuit of fish, navigation and communication as well as providing all required safety gear, lures and tackle…
She features a 10’ beam, large rear deck with lots of room for fishing, a comfortable cabin w/bathroom (head) amongst other amenities for a safe, comfortable, productive and professional trip!
Plain rain does not cancel a trip, but some weather and certain waves can and do. Safety is always our first concern and number one priority; cancellations due to conditions are entirely at the captain’s discretion. Weather and waves cannot always be predicted with accuracy ahead of time, but we will do our best to keep you informed as your date nears…
We are operating out of Manistee as our home port and the meeting place is Seng’s Marina, 47 Lake Street, Manistee, MI 49660 (Further instructions, a gate and restroom code as well as Captain Steve’s personal cell phone number will be provided to you once your trip is booked.)
What you need!
- Fishing license & ID
- Appropriate layers of clothing and/or rain gear for any conceivable weather that day, sunscreen and sunglasses
- A small cooler (or the like) set up for any food or beverages you would like to bring with you. Both are your own responsibility, and we do not supply either. Please no glass, there is no cooking on board and please drink responsibly. (No consumption of alcohol by minors under any circumstances.)
- A larger cooler (or the like) set up for your fish to take home. (Again, your catch will be cleaned and bagged for you.)
- A fun attitude! 😎
- Pro tip! Take Dramamine (or the like) the day before and day of if you are prone to motion sickness… (Return to the dock for any reason may be considered end of trip with no refund, extension or reschedule.)
Booking a Lake Michigan Charter
To book a trip, we will need a major credit card number with an expiration date past that of the scheduled trip date, (or the full trip fee at the time of booking) a mailing address, as well as home and/or cell phone number(s)… Our current trip fee is $825.00 for up to 6 people. There is a 3.25% fee on credit cards adding up to an additional $26.81, but the normal fee may be paid in full on the day of the trip without cc fee with cash or check made out to BBT. Gratuity, if earned, (customarily 20%) is not included in the trip fee. Cancellations by the captain incur no fee whatsoever, but the credit card is needed to hold your date(s) in case of cancellation within one month or a no show by the client wherein a full fee is charged.
Thank you for the interest and we hope to be a part of your adventure! 😎🎣👍
