Salmon Fishing
The Manitou Islands ~ Cathead ~ Clay Banks
2024 Salmon Trips on our 29’ HewesCraft Alaskan
Schools of King & Coho Salmon, along with hungry Steelhead & Lake Trout, fill the waters surrounding the Manitou Islands late May through August each year. In order to take advantage of the incredible fishing available around the Islands and outside water, we are excited to offer 3 different salmon fishing options for 2024. Salmon trips are tailor made for 4 anglers on the FishBilly II, but we can accommodate up to 6 if you don’t mind rubbing elbows with Captain Billy & First Mate Griffin. We recommend the 6 hour trip, but offer 5 & 9 hour trips as well. This vessel is built for big water & cruises at 32 mph. Anglers enjoy views of the Manitou Islands, lighthouses and even a shipwreck when fishing south island. We will run up to 30 miles out of port to put you on fish. The spacious cabin & private bathroom will keep you comfortable & dry, while the large open fishing deck will provide plenty of sunshine and space to fight your fish of a lifetime. Learn more about these trips below on our “Trips & Rates” page.
“Best Bite” Trips
$650 for 4 anglers / $700 for 5 / $750 for 6
Trips shove off at 7am and 12pm daily. Availability - Morning & Afternoon trips April 27 - Aug 31. This special trip is 4 hours or a boat limit of Lake Trout. See our “Trips & Rates” section for details!
Grip & Grin!
See more photos in our gallery!
Trips & Rates
Fishing out of Leland Harbor “Fishtown” ~ Lake Michigan ~
Salmon Trips up to 6 anglers / May 24 - August 31
5 Hour Trip 5:30am
$700 (1-4 anglers) / $775 (5) / $850 (6)
6 Hour Trip 5:00am (recommended)
$800 (1-4 anglers) / $900 (5)/ $1000 (6)
9 Hour Trip 5:00am
$1100 (1-4 anglers)/ $1200 (5)/ $1300 (6)
5 Hour Evening Trip 5:30pm
$700 (1-4 anglers) / $775 (5) / $850 (6)
“Best Bite” All Species Trip up to 6 anglers / April 27 - Aug 31
1/2 Day Trip shoves off at 7am & 12noon:
$650 (1-4 anglers) / $700 (5) / $750 (6)
This is a great family trip. Limit catches of Lake Trout are common and we occasionally catch Salmon & Steelhead. These fish are fabulous table fare. Anglers enjoy views of Pyramid Point, Whaleback, the Manitou Islands & the North Manitou Passage Lighthouse. This special trip is 4 hours or a boat limit of Lake Trout.
Happy Hour “Boat Ride”:
2 hour Trip
$475 (up to 6 guests)
If you have a couple hours to spare, load up your cooler with drinks & appetizers and come aboard. We can take up to 6 guests. No fishing, just a relaxing ride.
*Vessel - The “FishBilly II” a big 29’ HewesCraft Alaskan with bathroom & cabin
*Fish Cleaning for Leland Harbor trips - $5 per fish at Carlson’s Fishery in Leland. We are happy to clean & package your fish when Carlson’s is closed for tips.
Fishing Lake Leelanau & Grand Traverse Bay
Jigging & Casting Trips
1/2 Day for 2 $500
1/2 Day for 3 $650
Full Day for 2 $700
Full Day for 3 $850
Jigging for Salmon, Trout & Cisco
Jigging for Salmon, Lake Trout & Cisco is a hands on fishing opportunity using light tackle that typically provides lots of action. A jigging opportunity is available all year long. We jig for Lake Trout & Cisco January to September. Coho & King Salmon jigging action begins mid August and lasts through September.
Casting for Smallmouth Bass & Walleye (May)
The Grand Traverse region is home to world class Smallmouth fishing and great walleye fishing as well. We offer guided trips on the Leelanau Peninsula May 1st through May 31st.
*Vessel - The original “FishBilly” 19’ Lund Tyee
*Fish Cleaning for Jigging & Casting trips- We are happy to clean & package your fish for tips.
Fishing equipment, bait, tackle, life jackets and all safety equipment will be provided. Don’t Forget: Fishing License, Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Rain Gear, Warm Clothes and a Cooler loaded with ice to transport your catch home.
Click here for Fishing License:
Worried about sea sickness?
We recommend the wrist bands or patches. Both work well and won’t leave you feeling groggy.
Our Vessels
The “FishBilly II” is a spacious 29’ HewesCraft Alaskan powered by twin 200 hp Mercury outboards. This vessel includes a private bathroom and enclosed cabin. It is built for big water, groups of up to 6 guests and is docked in Leland along the historic Fishtown boardwalk behind the Cheese Shanty.
The original “FishBilly” is a 19’ Lund Tyee tournament style boat perfect for trailering to Grand Traverse Bay & inland lake destinations around the state with groups of up to 3 anglers.
Both of these sportfishing vessels are loaded with premium electronics & gear from Raymarine, Hummingbird, Minn Kota, Cannon, Fish Hawk, Diawa, Shimano & Okuma. Fishing equipment, bait, tackle, life jackets and all safety equipment will be provided.
“Our goal is to put you on fish and provide you with an experience you will remember forever. We are happy to tailor a trip to your specific interest. We pursue the best bite throughout the year and target a variety of fish so you can be successful. Our passion is fishing and we want to share it with you.”
- Captain Bill Stephenson
(208) 966-7984 fishbillycharters@gmail.com
Fishing Locations
FishBilly Charters is located at 195 W. River Street, Leland, Michigan. Our 29’ Hewescraft Alaskan docks on the historic Fishtown boardwalk just downstream of the falls. We offer trips in the following locations depending on the time of year:
Leland, MI
Fishtown (Leland, MI)
Grand Traverse Bay, MI
Traverse City, MI
Lake Leelanau, MI
Suttons Bay, MI
Northport, MI
Glen Arbor, MI
Empire, MI
Frankfort, MI
PLANNING YOUR TRIp
Airport
Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) is 5 mintes south of downtown Traverse City and 30 minutes from the Leelanau Peninsula. The airport services most major airlines and provides all travel services. Click here for Cheery Capital Airport Website.
Lodging, Food & Wineries
Places to Stay In Traverse City
Places To Stay In Leland
Craft Brewery, Cider & Farm to Table Pub Fare & Outdoor Music
Food & Wineries -The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail
Your Catch
Your fish is the finest and healthiest table fare available, so it is important we care for it and prepare it for our families to enjoy. Below a few tips to help you prepare for your trip.
Bring a Cooler Filled with Ice
The night before your trip fill your cooler with ice and put it in your vehicle. You will need it to transport your catch home.
Cleaning & Cooking your Catch
Carlson’s Fishery in Leland Fishtown can clean your fish for $5 each during business hours. We are happy to clean your catch for tips when Carlson’s is closed.
How to Clean your Own Fish
How to Cook your Salmon & Trout