Your Captain
Lenny Vaughan
Identity Verified
Slipknot Steelhead Charters invites you to a day full of fun and exciting excursions on the Rivers and Lakes of Manistee, Michigan. Coming with you on this trip is our seasoned pro, Capt. Lenny Vaughan. He has been fishing for years; he's seen it all, and knows what a fish needs to land the big one.
As a dedicated tournament angler, Captain Lenny Vaughan wants your trip with him to involve more than just fishing. You will not only achieve your personal best but also get to take in the breathtaking scenery of the Manistee National Forest, which is a protected area and home to bald eagles, beavers, minks, and many other animal species.
The boat you’ll be using depends on what type of fishing you will have on that day. There’s a 22’ custom-built jet and a 31’ Tiara express cruiser. Both are equipped with modern fishing devices like GPS and FishFinder to keep your journey hassle-free. Onboard you’ll find a toilet for your convenience and a cooler for storage.
Fishing on the waters of Manistee has always been rewarding. Reel various fish species such as Brown Trout, Steelhead, and Chinook Salmon. You get to decide what to do with your catch so bring coolers to store them on your way home.
This family-friendly fishing trip will provide your necessary fishing gear. Some trips will include lunch and drinks, but feel free to bring your own as well. Don’t forget to purchase a fishing license.
Whether you're looking for an exciting day on the water with friends or family, or an unforgettable vacation with your significant other or partner, Capt. Lenny has something for everyone—and he's sure to find something that fits your needs perfectly. Arrange your trip today with Slipknot Steelhead Charters.
What's Included
Your Guide has some important details about your trip with them.
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When you book your fishing trip, you will need to first put down a deposit to hold the reservation.
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What's Included
Your Guide has some important details about your trip with them.
Show More
When you book your fishing trip, you will need to first put down a deposit to hold the reservation.
Show More
Join a private 5-hour morning fishing trip in Manistee, MI, and target Chinook Salmon, Lake Trout, Steelhead, and Rainbow Trout on the river and lake. This guided charter is designed for anglers of all experience levels, from first-timers to seasoned fishermen. Your captain provides quality rods, reels, tackle, and gear, ensuring you have everything needed for a productive day on the water. Just bring your fishing license, snacks, and drinks. Perfect for individuals, families, or groups, this trip offers a hands-on fishing experience with expert guidance. Secure your date today—deposits are non-refundable.
Pick Your Date
Head out on a private 5-hour afternoon fishing charter in Manistee, MI, and target Chinook Salmon, Lake Trout, Steelhead, and Rainbow Trout on both the river and lake. This trip is suited for anglers of all skill levels, with an experienced guide providing instruction and ensuring a productive outing. High-quality rods, reels, tackle, and gear are included, so you only need to bring a valid fishing license, snacks, and drinks. Ideal for solo anglers, families, or groups, this guided trip offers a structured fishing experience on Michigan’s waters. Book now to secure your date—deposits are non-refundable.
Pick Your Date
Enjoy a private 6-hour fishing charter in Manistee, MI, targeting Chinook Salmon, Steelhead, Brown Trout, and more on the river. This guided trip is designed for anglers of all experience levels, with a knowledgeable captain providing instruction and support throughout the day. All rods, reels, tackle, and gear are included, so you only need to bring a valid fishing license, snacks, and drinks. Whether you’re planning a solo trip, a family outing, or fishing with friends, this experience offers the opportunity to land quality fish in Michigan’s waters. Deposits are non-refundable, so reserve your date early.
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Spend a full day on the water with a private 8-hour fishing charter in Manistee, MI, targeting Chinook Salmon, Steelhead, Rainbow Trout, and more. This trip is suited for anglers of all skill levels, with an experienced captain providing guidance throughout the day. High-quality rods, reels, tackle, and gear are included, so you only need to bring a valid fishing license, snacks, and drinks. Whether fishing alone, with family, or in a group, this guided trip provides plenty of time to work the waters and increase your chances of landing multiple quality fish. Deposits are non-refundable, so book early to lock in your date.
Pick Your Date
Spend your weekend on the water with a private 8-hour fishing charter in Manistee, MI, targeting Chinook Salmon, Steelhead, Lake Trout, and Rainbow Trout. This guided trip is designed for anglers of all skill levels, with a knowledgeable captain providing direction and assistance throughout the day. Quality rods, reels, tackle, and gear are included, so you only need to bring a valid fishing license, snacks, and drinks. Whether planning a solo trip, family outing, or fishing with friends, this full-day experience offers plenty of time to cover prime fishing areas. Deposits are non-refundable, so reserve your spot early.
Pick Your Date
Custom-built (Jet boat)
Boat Type:
Boat Guest Capacity:
4
Boat Length:
21 ft
Manufacturer Name:
Custom-built (Jet boat)
Model Year:
1990
Engine Manufacturer Name:
Ford F-350
# of Engines:
1
Horsepower Per Engine:
260
Maximum Cruising Speed:
23
Features: Bait Tank Toilet Air Condition Fish Finder GPS
This specially made boat can accommodate up to 4 anglers and is equipped with a powerful 260 HP Ford F-350 engine, allowing you to reach the best Manistee fishing spots quickly. It is also equipped with first-class equipment, as well as air conditioning, a cooler, a live bait tank, and a toilet.
Tiara Open
Boat Type:
Boat Guest Capacity:
6
Boat Length:
31 ft
Manufacturer Name:
Express cruiser
Model Year:
2004
Engine Manufacturer Name:
Crusader
# of Engines:
2
Horsepower Per Engine:
400
Maximum Cruising Speed:
30
Features: Kitchen Toilet Refrigerator Fish Finder GPS Radar
This 31-foot Tiara express cruiser is perfect for a group of six guests. It comes with excellent navigation equipment, such as GPS and Fish Finder, which helps you locate your targets with precision. It is also equipped with downriggers and a live well, which makes catching fish much manageable.
Custom-built (Jet boat)
Boat Type:
Boat Guest Capacity:
4
Boat Length:
21 ft
Vehicle Details
Tiara Open
Boat Type:
Boat Guest Capacity:
6
Boat Length:
31 ft
Vehicle Details
It was a stellar morning out on the water in Manistee today, with signs pointing to the start of a solid king salmon run. The bite is picking up, and the fish are starting to stack up right on schedule for the summer season. The calm weather pattern has finally settled in, making for smooth conditions and consistent trolling. Anglers are starting to see better numbers each trip, and the kings brought some solid action this morning with aggressive strikes and great fights. What worked? Salmon Candy flashers paired with Rapture trolling flies were the clear winners today. The combo proved deadly in the spread and led to most of the hookups. If you're planning a trip, you can grab both at Tangled Tackle right here in Manistee—definitely worth stocking up before heading out. With the kings rolling in and the lake setting up nicely, now’s a great time to fish Manistee. The season’s just heating up!
The season is just about to start. If your thinking about booking a charter. Please get ahold of me soon. I still gave a few prime spring and summer dates available.
Experience the thrill of fishing in Manistee! Our trip was a blast, filled with fun and new learning experiences. Book your Manistee Fishing Charter today for an unforgettable adventure!
What a day on the water with Central coast Angling. My son Jace and captain Mark each caught thier personal best perch. 141/2 and 16 inch. Thank you very much captain Bob.
The kings have showed up and will be available the rest of the season.
Lake trout fishing is on fire right now. limited out in less than 3 hours. today
the big lake season is has arrived.
The fishing season is in full swing, and the latest Lake Michigan fishing report indicates that it's going to be another good day on the river today. We are getting excellent catches of salmon throughout the lake. If you haven't had a chance to get out on the water yet this year, now is the time to do it! The fish are biting and there's no better place to catch them than on Lake Michigan. Book a fishing trip with me!
In November, the Manistee River provides ample opportunities to catch acrobatic Salmon, as long as weather conditions are favorable. Pier fishing remains good through the winter, although it becomes more difficult as ice forms in the water.
King Salmon are here and as far as numbers are being considered, there’s way more of them seen in a long time. It’s also a great time to chase after Steelhead. We have open dates so if you're looking for some good fishing now is the time to book your next adventure with us!
Ratings & Reviews Summary
September 9, 2025
Lenny is AwEsOmE ! He is very knowledgeable about when, where and how to catch fish. It's a bonus that he's just a great guy and a pleasure to fish with. He works sooo hard. I don't know how he does it !
September 9, 2025
Captain Lenny was great! What a great trip. We caught triple the fish than any other boat on our trip. Very instructional and made it fun for everyone. Will definitely be booking more trips with him.
September 9, 2025
Best fishing trip we have had in years!! Captain Lenny is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, knows the area well. We are already working on booking a return trip end of this summer! If you aren’t using Slipknot Charters you aren’t catching fish!!!
September 9, 2025
Lenny is great!! We had so much fun and brought home a cooler of meat! His boat was big and clean. He was such a hard worker ensuring all our lines were perfect, helping us net / kill the fish, and cleaning them for us at the end! We can’t recommend enough and hope to come back for the steelhead
September 9, 2025
We took a trip with Captain Lenny and filled up the cooler before noon. I had a fantastic time and learned a lot. Slipknot Charters (Captain Lenny) is highly recommend to anyone looking to catch some big kings.
September 9, 2025
My daughter and son-in-law made arrangements to see me here from Maryland. They are both fishermen who wanted to go fishing on Lake Michigan. I asked around for a reputable charter service. I was told that Captain Lenny knew where to find fish. This proved to be entirely correct. He predicted exactly when and where we would catch salmon. We caught enough King Salmon to fill a large cooler. We were all overjoyed! It was the ideal outing! We intend to repeat this next year.