OUR FISHING ADVENTURES

Charming Frankfort is one of Lake Michigan’s true gems — a perfect vacation town set between dunes, lighthouses, sugar‑sand beaches, and a top‑rated salmon and trout fishery. The natural deep‑water harbor, formed by the Betsie River, once served the Ann Arbor Railroad’s ferry fleet. Today, it’s lined with marinas and known as one of the premier salmon ports on Lake Michigan thanks to the strong natural reproduction of king salmon in the Betsie River. Each year, thousands of anglers come to Frankfort for their chance at a big king.

The CatPack arrives around Memorial Day to fish our home waters, starting in the shallows (less than 20 feet) for brown trout, steelhead, and big lake trout. These early‑season trips offer close‑up views of Point Betsie Lighthouse and Crystal Downs Golf Club as we work north into Platte Bay — or unforgettable sunsets when we run west.

By the Fourth of July, we’re hunting drag‑screaming king salmon over the fertile “bank” off the “saddle,” or down in the “hole” near Herring Lake. And when conditions line up just right, the offshore steelhead bite — 10 to 20 miles out — can be spectacular. It’s our favorite trip of the season. Out there, it feels like you have the entire lake to yourself, with steelhead, kings, and lake trout all riding high in the water column. It takes several warm, calm days in late June for the lake to set up that perfect cold‑water push beneath the warm surface — but when it happens, it’s magic.

Late summer brings one last shot at a “Master Angler” king as mature salmon stage outside the harbor before running the Betsie River. Coho begin showing in good numbers too, making their way toward Platte Bay where they were planted two years earlier.

With CatPack Sport Fishing, you enjoy the harbor, the lake, and the fishery in the comfort of your private group — no taking turns with strangers like on the big charter boats. And if you’re new to salmon fishing, it usually takes just one king to have you coming back again and again.

For generations, families have made Frankfort’s beaches and lakeshore cabins part of their summer tradition. If you love crystal‑clear water, soft dunes, and small‑town charm, Frankfort belongs on your Michigan bucket list. It’s Pure Michigan — and if you love being on the water and tangling with big fish, CatPack Sport Fishing belongs on that list too.