Inland Family Fishing Trip in Lake Michigan (PM)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day afternoon fishing trip perfect for families with kidsAll equipment provided including rods, reels, and tackleProfessional instruction focuses on Lake Michigan species basics
Looking for the perfect way to introduce your family to fishing? Dave's Fishing Charters has you covered with our afternoon family fishing adventure on Lake Michigan near Whitehall. This isn't your typical fishing charter – we've designed this trip specifically for families with kids and beginners who want to learn the ropes without any pressure. You'll spend a relaxing half-day on the water targeting multiple species while our experienced crew handles all the technical stuff, so you can focus on what matters most: making memories with your family.
This afternoon trip kicks off when the sun's high and the lake's settled into its rhythm. We keep things simple and stress-free – perfect for families who want to dip their toes into the fishing world without jumping in headfirst. Our boat accommodates up to 2 guests, which means you get personalized attention from our crew. We're talking one-on-one instruction, help with every cast, and someone always ready to net your fish or untangle a line. The intimate group size lets us tailor the experience to your family's comfort level, whether you've got a fearless 8-year-old ready to catch anything or a cautious parent who's never held a fishing rod. We provide all the gear – rods, reels, tackle, bait – so you just need to bring your Michigan fishing license, dress for the weather, and show up ready to have some fun.
We run light tackle setups perfect for beginners and kids. Think medium-action rods that aren't too heavy but still have enough backbone to handle a decent fish. Our reels are smooth and easy to operate – no complicated drag systems or confusing mechanics that'll frustrate a first-timer. We'll rig you up with simple bottom rigs for perch and bass, maybe some slip bobber setups when the bite calls for it. The beauty of fishing these inland waters is the variety of techniques that work. Some days we're casting toward structure for bass, other times we're working the deeper holes for walleye, or finding those shallow weed beds where the pike like to ambush bait. Our crew reads the conditions and adjusts accordingly, but always keeps things beginner-friendly. No complex trolling patterns or advanced jigging techniques – just solid, proven methods that put fish in the boat and smiles on faces.
Walleye are the crown jewel of these waters, and for good reason. These golden beauties typically run 14-20 inches in our area, with some real hawgs pushing over 24 inches if you're lucky. Walleye love structure and drop-offs, especially during the afternoon hours when they start moving up to feed. They're notorious for their light bite – you might think you've got a snag until that "snag" starts swimming away. Kids love walleye because they fight hard but not crazy, and they're absolutely delicious on the dinner table.
Northern pike bring the excitement factor to every trip. These toothy predators can stretch over 30 inches and provide heart-stopping strikes that'll wake up anyone daydreaming on the boat. Pike lurk in weedy areas and along structure, waiting to ambush anything that looks like an easy meal. Spring through fall, they're active and aggressive, making them perfect for beginners who want to feel that rod bend and hear the drag sing. Fair warning – these fish have teeth, so we handle the unhooking for safety.
American yellow perch might be smaller, but they make up for size with numbers and flavor. These striped beauties typically run 8-12 inches and travel in schools, so when you find them, you can often catch several. Perch are perfect for kids because they bite readily, fight just enough to be fun, and are easy to handle. They're most active during cooler months but can be caught year-round if you know where to look.
Largemouth bass are the classic gamefish that got many of us hooked on fishing in the first place. In our waters, they average 12-16 inches with occasional lunkers pushing 4-5 pounds. Bass love cover – fallen trees, weed beds, rocky points – anywhere they can hide and ambush prey. They hit hard and jump, which creates those picture-perfect moments every angler remembers. Spring and fall are prime time, but summer afternoons can produce great action around deeper structure.
Green sunfish round out the mix as willing biters that keep the action steady. These scrappy little fighters might only run 6-8 inches, but they're colorful, abundant, and perfect for keeping young anglers engaged. They're not picky eaters and will hit everything from worms to small lures, making them ideal confidence builders for first-time fishers.
This top-rated family fishing experience books up fast, especially during peak season when families are looking for that perfect afternoon activity. Dave's Fishing Charters has built a reputation around Whitehall for creating positive first experiences on the water. Our crew knows how to read the room – when to be hands-on with instruction and when to step back and let families enjoy the moment. The afternoon timing works perfectly for families with younger kids who might not handle an all-day trip, and you'll still have evening free for dinner and other activities. With all gear included and expert instruction provided, this trip removes every barrier between your family and a great day on Lake Michigan. Don't wait – afternoon slots fill quickly, and you don't want to miss out on introducing your family to the fishing lifestyle that hooks people for life.
Step aboard our 2018 Skeeter bass boat, perfectly rigged for your Lake Michigan family fishing adventure. This deep-V hull cuts through the water smoothly while keeping you comfortable as we target local species in Whitehall's productive waters. The wireless trolling motor lets us position quietly over fish without spooking them, while our GPS navigation system ensures we hit all the best spots along the shoreline. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, giving your family the best shot at bringing home dinner. With specialized casting decks and built-in livewells to keep your catch fresh, this Yamaha-powered Skeeter handles everything from panfish to salmon with ease. The spacious layout gives you and your kids plenty of room to cast and reel in fish while staying safe and organized.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are perfect starter fish - they bite readily, travel in schools, and taste fantastic fried up. These golden fish with dark vertical stripes usually run 6-10 inches and are surprisingly feisty for their size. You'll find them around docks, weed beds, and sandy bottoms in 8-25 feet of water. They school up tight, so when you catch one, there's usually more below. Spring through fall are best, but they bite year-round. Families love perch because they're easy to catch and kids get excited when they find a school. The meat is sweet and firm - some say it's the best-eating fish in the lake. Small jigs tipped with minnows or worms work great, but here's the key: once you locate a school, drop straight down and fish vertically. They often suspend just off bottom, so experiment with depth until you find them.
Lepomis CyanellusGreen sunfish are scrappy little fighters that punch way above their weight class. These blue-green panfish typically run 4-7 inches but have mouths bigger than most sunfish, plus an attitude to match. They're aggressive biters that hang around shallow cover - weed beds, fallen branches, and rocky areas where they can set up territory. You'll catch them spring through fall in water from 2-15 feet deep. Kids love green sunfish because they bite fast and fight hard for their size, plus they're great for learning fish handling skills. While they're pretty bony for eating, the action makes up for it. These fish will hit almost any small bait - worms, crickets, or tiny jigs work perfectly. Pro tip: look for areas with lots of structure and debris. Green sunfish are territorial, so work each spot thoroughly before moving on.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the classic gamefish - they fight hard, jump when hooked, and always keep things interesting. These olive-green fish typically run 1-4 pounds with that signature big mouth extending past their eyes. Look for them around any cover - fallen trees, docks, weed lines, and shallow bays where they ambush prey. Spring through fall are prime, especially early morning and evening when they're actively feeding. What makes bass fishing so popular is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. They're decent eating when kept from clean water, but most folks release them to fight another day. Bass love warm, weedy areas where they can hide and hunt. Try working plastic worms around cover or topwater lures at dawn - when a bass explodes on a surface bait, you'll never forget it. Fish slow and methodical around structure.
Esox LuciusNorthern Pike are the freshwater sharks of our lakes - aggressive predators that'll hit just about anything that moves. These long, lean fish average 2-4 feet and pack some serious teeth, so we always use wire leaders. You'll find them lurking in weedy bays and shallow areas during spring and fall, but they head to deeper, cooler water in summer heat. Pike are ambush hunters that love structure - fallen trees, weed edges, and drop-offs are prime spots. What guests love about pike fishing is the explosive strikes and strong fights they put up. They're not the best table fare, but the action more than makes up for it. My go-to trick is working spoons and spinners just fast enough to trigger their predatory instincts, but slow enough to look like injured baitfish. When one hits, hang on tight!
Sander VitreusWalleye are one of the tastiest fish you'll find in these waters, with sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. These golden-colored fish typically run 12-20 inches and have distinctive glassy eyes that help them hunt in low light. They prefer deeper water during the day, hanging around rocky bottoms and drop-offs, then move shallow to feed at dawn and dusk. Spring and fall are prime times when they're most active, but we catch them year-round. What makes walleye special is they're both fun to catch and great eating - plus they're not too aggressive, making them perfect for families. Here's a local tip: when you feel that light tap on your line, don't set the hook right away. Walleye like to mouth the bait first, so give them a second to really take it before you pull.
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