Inland Family Fishing Trip in Lake Michigan (PM)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Familyfriendly afternoon fishing trip on Lake Michigan watersAll equipment provided including rods, reels, and tacklePerfect for beginners with guided instruction and safety focus
Looking for a perfect way to introduce your family to the world of fishing? Dave's Fishing Charters has you covered with this top-rated afternoon adventure on the beautiful waters around Whitehall, Michigan. Our "Reel Fun for All" trip is designed specifically with families in mind – especially those with kids who might be picking up a rod for the first time. We keep things relaxed, educational, and most importantly, fun. With a small group size of just 2 guests, you'll get the personal attention that makes all the difference when you're learning the ropes. The scenic backdrop of Lake Michigan provides the perfect setting for creating lasting memories while targeting some of the area's most popular fish species.
This half-day fishing adventure kicks off in the afternoon when the fish are often more active and the weather's settled into a comfortable rhythm. We've structured this trip to be stress-free for parents and engaging for kids, so you can focus on what matters most – spending quality time together. Our experienced crew handles all the setup work, from rigging tackle to adjusting drag settings, which means you can jump straight into the action. The boat is equipped with everything you need: rods, reels, tackle, and all the gear required for a successful outing. All we ask is that you bring a valid Michigan fishing license for anyone 17 and older, dress for the weather, and come ready to learn. The waters around Whitehall offer excellent fishing opportunities, and our local knowledge puts you right where the fish are biting. We'll teach you the basics of casting, setting the hook, and fighting fish while keeping safety as our top priority.
Lake Michigan's inland waters around Whitehall provide diverse fishing opportunities that are perfect for beginners and families. We'll be using light to medium action spinning rods paired with reliable reels that are easy for kids and novice anglers to handle. Depending on what's biting, we might start with simple bobber rigs using live bait like nightcrawlers or minnows – techniques that give you immediate feedback when a fish is interested. For more active species like bass and pike, we'll introduce you to basic lure fishing using spinners, small crankbaits, or soft plastics. The beauty of this fishery is its variety; you might be bottom fishing for perch one minute and casting along weed edges for bass the next. Water depths range from shallow bays perfect for panfish to deeper structures where walleye like to hang out. Our crew reads the conditions daily – water temperature, wind direction, and recent fishing reports all factor into where we'll position the boat for the best action. The afternoon timing works in our favor as many species become more active as the day progresses and light conditions change.
Walleye are the crown jewel of this fishery and for good reason. These golden beauties typically run 14-20 inches in these waters, with occasional larger specimens that'll have the whole family talking. They're most active during low-light periods, making our afternoon timing perfect as we fish into the evening hours. Walleye have excellent eyesight and prefer deeper water during bright conditions, but as the sun gets lower, they'll move shallow to feed. What makes them special is their delicate bite – they're notorious for light taps that teach young anglers to pay attention to their rod tip. Plus, they're fantastic eating, so you might just take dinner home.
Northern Pike bring the excitement factor to this trip. These aggressive predators can reach impressive sizes in Lake Michigan's tributaries, often stretching 24-30 inches or more. Pike are ambush hunters that love weed edges and structure, and when they hit your lure, there's no mistaking it. They'll often jump and thrash, giving kids an adrenaline rush they won't forget. Spring through fall offers consistent pike action, and they're particularly active during the cooler parts of the day. Their toothy grins and prehistoric appearance make them a favorite for photos, and their fighting ability ensures memorable battles.
American Yellow Perch are the perfect species for building confidence in young anglers. These schooling fish are abundant, cooperative, and absolutely delicious. Perch typically run 8-12 inches and are found in good numbers throughout the season. They're excellent for teaching basic techniques since they often bite readily and don't require advanced skills to catch consistently. When you find a school of perch, you can often catch multiple fish, keeping kids engaged and excited. Their distinctive yellow color with dark vertical stripes makes them easy to identify, and they're forgiving fighters that won't break light tackle.
Largemouth Bass add sport fishing excitement to family trips. These popular gamefish are known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights, often jumping clear out of the water when hooked. Bass in this area commonly range from 12-18 inches, with larger specimens always possible. They're structure-oriented fish that love cover like fallen trees, weed beds, and rocky areas. Bass fishing teaches patience and technique – they can be finicky about lure presentation, but when they commit, it's explosive. They're active throughout the warmer months and provide excellent catch-and-release opportunities for conservation-minded families.
Green Sunfish round out our target species list as willing biters that are perfect for kids just starting out. These colorful panfish are aggressive feeders that will hit a variety of baits and lures. They're smaller than the other species we target, typically running 4-8 inches, but they make up for size with attitude. Sunfish are found in shallow, weedy areas and are most active during warmer months. They're ideal for teaching basic fishing fundamentals because they bite readily, fight proportionally hard for their size, and are easy to handle and release safely.
This customer-favorite family fishing trip fills up quickly, especially during peak season when families are looking for quality outdoor experiences. With our small boat capacity of just 2
Your afternoon fishing adventure on Lake Michigan starts aboard our reliable 2018 Skeeter motorboat, perfectly equipped for family-friendly inshore fishing around Whitehall's productive waters. This specialized fishing vessel features a deep-V hull that cuts through Lake Michigan's waves smoothly while providing stable casting platforms for you and your fishing partner. The wireless trolling motor lets us position quietly over productive fishing spots without spooking the fish, while our GPS navigation system ensures we find the best locations for your target species. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools of perch, salmon, and trout beneath the surface. With comfortable seating for two anglers and plenty of storage for tackle and gear, this Skeeter boat delivers the perfect platform for learning fishing basics in a relaxed, family-oriented setting. The boat's quality construction and Yamaha engine provide dependable performance, so you can focus on casting lines and reeling in your catch during this half-day Lake Michigan fishing experience.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are perfect for family trips because they're abundant, bite reliably, and taste fantastic. These golden fish with dark vertical stripes typically run 6-10 inches and travel in schools, so when you find one, you'll usually catch several more. They hang around weed beds, docks, and rocky areas in 8-15 feet of water. Spring and fall are best when they school up tight and feed aggressively. Perch make great eating with sweet, flaky white meat that's not too fishy for kids. They're also forgiving for beginners since they bite readily and don't require fancy techniques. Here's what works: use small jigs tipped with minnows or worms, and fish right on bottom. Once you locate a school, drop anchor and work the area thoroughly - they'll often stick around for a while.
Lepomis CyanellusGreen sunfish are scrappy little fighters that kids absolutely love catching. These blue-green panfish usually run 4-6 inches with a larger mouth than most sunfish and distinctive dark spots on their fins. You'll find them in shallow, weedy areas near shore, especially around fallen logs or vegetation where they can hide. They're active all season but really turn on during warmer months when they're protecting their nests. What makes them fun is they're aggressive biters that hit hard for their size and are easy for beginners to catch. While they're too bony for most people's taste, they're perfect for teaching kids fishing basics. Here's the key: use small hooks with live worms or small jigs, and fish right in the thick cover where bigger fish won't go. They'll often bite immediately when your bait hits their territory.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the classic game fish that put up the best fights we see on these trips. These dark green fish with that signature big mouth typically run 12-16 inches around here, though we catch some bigger ones. They love shallow, weedy areas near cover like downed trees, docks, or thick vegetation. Spring through summer is prime time when they're active and feeding in the shallows. Bass are exciting because they strike aggressively and fight hard, often jumping and making strong runs that get everyone on the boat excited. While they're decent eating, most folks enjoy the sport more than the meal. Best tip I can share: work your lures slowly around cover and be ready - bass often hit right when your bait hits the water or comes around structure. Soft plastics and spinnerbaits work great in our weedy spots.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are the freshwater sharks around here - aggressive predators that give families a real thrill when they strike. These olive-green fish with yellow spots average 2-3 feet and can hit 10+ pounds. They lurk in weedy shallow bays and along drop-offs, especially near structure like fallen trees or weed lines. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're in the shallows feeding heavily. Pike are exciting because they strike hard and fight like crazy, often jumping and making powerful runs. Kids love the action they provide. While they're bony to eat, the fight is what counts. Pro tip: use a steel leader since their razor-sharp teeth will cut regular line instantly. Cast spoons or spinnerbaits near weed edges and retrieve steadily - pike love to ambush moving targets.
Sander VitreusWalleye are one of the tastiest fish you can catch around here, with their flaky white meat and mild flavor making them table favorites. These golden-colored fish typically run 12-20 inches and have those distinctive silvery eyes that help them see in low light. They hang out in 10-20 feet of water during the day, usually near rocky areas or drop-offs, then move shallow to feed at dusk and dawn. Spring and fall are prime times when they're most active. What makes walleye special is they're both challenging to locate and rewarding to catch - plus they make an amazing fish dinner. Here's a local trick: when you're trolling for them, slow down your presentation near structure. They often follow the bait before striking, so patience pays off. Live minnows or nightcrawlers work best.
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