Charter Fishing on Lake Michigan!
Whether you are a "rookie" or a seasoned angler, we provide you and your family with a Lake Michigan fishing experience you will want to talk about for years and years.
6-Hour Trip for up to 4 people is only $700! (dock-to-dock or limit caught)
*Price does not include gratuity for the mate. 15-20% is customary.
**Cancellation Policy:
All trips require a $100.00, non-refundable deposit.
If a trip is cancelled with less than 7 days notice, you will be charged for the trip.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING:
DRIVING DISTANCE TO MANISTEE:
-Traverse City to Manistee: 1.25 hrs
-Grand Rapids to Manistee: 2 hrs
-Lansing to Manistee: 3 hrs
-Detroit to Manistee: 4 hrs
-Chicago to Manistee: 4.25 hrs (direct flights to Manistee available)
-Indianapolis to Manistee: 5.75 hrs
MEET THE CREW
USCG 25-Ton Master, Inland and Great Lakes
Captain Matt McQueen
Matt has been fishing his entire life, beginning where he grew up in Oklahoma and Texas fishing for bass and catfish. Over the past decade, Matt has focused his fishing efforts on salmon, steelhead, and trout and has pursued them in streams and lakes from Alaska to Michigan. His passion is tournament fishing and loves and respects competitive fishing of all kinds. He is also a writer and is regularly published in In-Fisherman and Great Lakes Angler magazines. His primary focus is his customers and providing them with a Manistee charter fishing experience they will want to keep coming back for.
CHAOS COORDINATOR
Carrie McQueen
Carrie is Captain Matt’s better half (much better) and she keeps the wheels from falling off around here at Copperhead Sportfishing. She ensures Captain Matt doesn't double book dates and she handles all of our lodging ventures, and in a pinch, she shows up on the boat to help. She grew up in northern Ohio just south of Lake Erie, and cut her teeth on the family farm pond catching bluegill, crappie, and bass. She loves reeling in big fish as much as she does helping people who are new to the sport catch their first salmon.
MATE
Jim Thompson
Jim grew up on a farm in Iowa where his love of the outdoors grew into a career with the US Forest Service. While working in Alaska, Jim guided bear hunting trips and also fished for halibut and salmon. Now retired, Jim spends much of his time hunting, trapping, and helping us on Copperhead II.
MATE
Wiley McQueen
Not much has to be said about Wiley, just read our Google Reviews and you’ll see his name in there more and more. Salmon fishing has always been a part of Wiley’s life and growing up immersed in the culture of Lake Michigan fishing he is passionate about putting our customers on fish. He has an intensity about him that keeps him laser-focused on the fishing while at the same time bringing a good time to any trip. He’s also known for his “fish dance” to get the bite going on a slow day.
MATE
Joel Faber
Joel grew up a Kalamazoo kid and from a young age he spent many hours fishing from the dock on the small lake by his parent’s house. He is one of those multitalented kinds of guys who can net a 30-pound king and troubleshoot/repair just about anything mechanical. He’s one of our most guarded weapons on Team Copperhead.
OUR BOAT
Copperhead II is a Wellcraft Coastal 2800. Its overall length is 29’7” and it is 9’11” wide. It is powered by twin Crusader 350 inboard engines totaling 540 horsepower. The design features an unobstructed, 55-square foot cockpit, deep and secure side decks that are nearly 9” wide at the narrowest point, and a raised bridge deck with starboard helm and port companion seats. The principal advantage of this design is that it provides quick and safe mobility for 360 degrees around the vessel and places the boat operator out of the way of the action, yet in a position that affords excellent visibility and communication with the anglers. Features include Sonar (Fish Finder), radar, VHF Radio, autopilot, fully equipped with Lake Michigan trolling fishing gear and tackle and all required US Coast Guard safety equipment. We are proud to add Copperhead II to the Manistee charter fishing fleet.
Don't risk your safety, comfort, or peace of mind. Our boat is inspected by the Michigan DNR and Captain Matt is fully licensed by the United States Coast Guard.
THE FISH
(on mobile devices, tap on the fish for more info)
Coho Salmon
These are the fish that started the Manistee charter fishing craze in the '60s. Some years we have a good Coho bite. Typically, these fish range in the 10–15 lb. range. While not usually as big as a King salmon, these fish are known for a tough, erratic fight and love to “freight train” the back of the boat, running through our lure spread, tangling up things and in-general, causing chaos. They are also great to eat and have a lighter taste than king salmon. These fish seem to show up in June and stick around throughout the summer.
King Salmon
Manistee charter fishing would not be what it is today without King Salmon. “Kings” are by far the most sought-after fish species for anglers fishing out of Manistee. They are aggressive, powerful, and big. Fish range from 15–30 lbs on average and provide a lot of premium table fare.
The best time to fish for Kings is August and Early-September. May, June, and July can produce fishable numbers of king salmon around Manistee too and these months are good for a “mixed-bag” of fish.
Lake Trout
Many Manistee charter fishing trips come back with Lake Trout and off the shore of Manistee County there is some of the best lake trout fishing in the country. When the fish are cooperating (which they usually are) the lake trout fishing can be amazing. These fish have a large size range and typically fish are caught in the 5–15 lb. range but larger, trophy size lake trout are caught all summer in our area. Lake trout are not as nomadic as salmon and stick around the rocky shelfs in 90 to 120 foot-of-water.
Steelhead
Lake Michigan charter fishing trips have long targeted steelhead. Steelhead are actually a variety of rainbow trout that were introduced in the late 1800s to Lake Michigan. The variety originated on the west coast where the fish spends most of its time in the Pacific Ocean and then “runs” the rivers to find appropriate spawning habitat. These fish behave similar to that of their west coast cousins but instead of residing in the ocean they reside in Lake Michigan most of their time and run our local streams during spawning times. These fish range anywhere from 5–15 lbs, but bigger ones are out there too. Steelhead can show up any time around here and we are always happy to fish for them.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
Outstanding experience. Matt is a great captain and really knows his stuff. I look forward to fishing with Matt again soon and definitely recommend Copperhead.
Kyle S.
Customer
I had a lot of fun fishing with Copperhead. They helped me when I didn't know what I was doing. I caught my first (and not last) fish with their direction. I can't wait to go again!
Elliot H.
Customer
CONTACT US
Want to get a hold of us?
Don’t hestiate to ask us something. Email us directly copperheadsportfishing@gmail.com or call us at 231-299-7114