Tight Lines

Local Fishing

two guys fishing on a boat

Cold, spring-fed rivers loaded with wild trout, Great Lakes charter trips targeting king salmon and lake trout, and inland lakes full of walleye, bass, and perch — the fishing here is as good as the scenery. And the scenery is pretty hard to beat.

two guys fishing on a river

people fishing on the sturgeon river

On the river

River & Stream Fishing

Four of Northern Michigan's best trout rivers are within easy reach of the resort. Each one fishes differently, and all four are worth knowing.

  • Jordan River

    ~20 minutes from the resort

    Michigan's first designated Wild and Scenic River. The Jordan runs cold (rarely above 60ºF) and clear for its entire 25-mile journey from its spring-fed headwaters to Lake Charlevoix in East Jordan. The upper river is loaded with wild brook trout, while the rest gives way to larger brown trout. Steelhead and king salmon run the river in spring and fall, respectively. The fishing is technical, but the reward is one of the most beautiful and productive rivers in the Lower Peninsula.

  • Boyne River

    At The Resort

    The Boyne flows approximately five miles from its origin north of Boyne Falls to Lake Charlevoix at Boyne City. The North and South Branches hold populations of wild brook and brown trout in a classic small-stream setting. Below the dam, the main stem opens up and receives migratory runs of steelhead in spring and king and coho salmon in fall. Sections of the river above the dam are designated Blue Ribbon Trout Stream by the Michigan DNR. Walk-in access only. Gear and local knowledge available at Boyne Outfitters on property.

  • Bear River

    ~30 minutes from the resort

    The Bear receives migratory runs of lake-run brown trout, steelhead, and king salmon from Lake Michigan through Little Traverse Bay, with the best runs typically arriving in spring and fall. Brook trout can be found in the upper sections. Bear River Canoe Livery also offers canoe and kayak access to the lower river for those who want to fish from the water.

  • Sturgeon River

    ~45 minutes from the resort

    The Sturgeon drops nearly 15 feet per mile on its 40-mile journey north to Burt Lake, and is loaded with resident brown and rainbow trout. A state-designated Blue Ribbon Trout Stream, the Sturgeon has excellent hatches throughout the season and deep pools that hold fish over 20 inches in the lower stretches. Late summer and fall bring lake-run brown trout and steelhead up from Burt Lake, making it a productive four-season fishery.

On the Lakes

Inland Lake Fishing

The inland lakes surrounding Boyne Mountain offer some of the best warm-water fishing in northern Michigan. No charter required.

  • Lake Charlevoix

    ~15 minutes from the resort

    Walleye, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, and rock bass. One of the most productive inland lakes in the area, and easily accessible from Boyne City.

  • Crooked Lake

    ~20 minutes from the resort

    Largemouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, walleye, and bluegill. Quieter and less pressured than Charlevoix, with good access from the Oden area.

  • Torch Lake

    One of the most beautiful lakes in the country also happens to be great for fishing. Torch holds lake trout, king salmon, smallmouth bass, walleye, and yellow perch in its crystal-clear depths.

  • Thumb Lake

    ~10 minutes from the resort

    A quieter, less popular lake in Charlevoix County with good bass and walleye fishing, just a short drive from the resort. A solid pick when you want to get on the water without the crowds.

Go Big

Big Lake Charters

For a full Great Lakes fishing experience, these charter operations run out of Bay Harbor and Petoskey Marina targeting king salmon, steelhead, lake trout, and more on Lake Michigan and Little Traverse Bay.

  • Work-N-Bites Charter Service

    A serious operation running out of the Petoskey Marina on Lake Michigan with over 30 years of professional experience. Captain Patrick Rupp targets king salmon, steelhead, brown trout, lake trout, and walleye on a fully equipped 48-foot Tiara. Notable: Work-N-Bites offers a catch guarantee — no fish, no charge.

  • Northern Exposure Charters

    Captains Todd and Austin Tomasek run a Tiara Open Sport Yacht out of Bay Harbor with top-of-the-line fishing equipment and electronics. Half-day packages start at four hours, targeting a wide variety of Great Lakes species across Northern Lake Michigan. Boat cruises are also available for non-anglers.

  • RodZilla Charters

    Captain Don Mapes runs a clean, well-equipped 32-foot Sea Ray out of Bay Harbor Lake Marina with immediate access to Little Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan. Up to six passengers, all gear and tackle provided, targeting salmon, trout, and walleye. A friendly, family-oriented operation with a focus on creating a fun day on the water for anglers of all experience levels.