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Get in line, pumpkin patches and color tours – there’s a new fall activity topping travelers’ to-do lists and it may surprise you.

The leaves are falling and the fish are biting! Fall fishing is no secret to avid anglers, but newbies may be unaware that dropping temperatures mean it’s optimal time to drop a line. Venturing out with your trusty bobber and worm and casting into remnants of lily pads may not result in the catch you’re hoping for. We’ve cracked the code on fall fishing on a recent river trip with Captain Dakota Mack of White Pine Guide Service and are ready to share our intel!

We set out on an October excursion in search of brown trout and steelhead swimming up one of our favorite rivers just a quick jaunt north of Gaylord – the Sturgeon River. After a scenic float, numerous nibbles and two small but mighty trout, we finally hit the jackpot. Our first steelhead hit a Rapala with force and put up quite a fight. Just a few strokes downstream, we hooked our second on a centerpin and had an equally exciting time. These beauties made our day and made this one of the most memorable fishing trips ever.  

Here’s what this immersive outdoor experience taught us:

1. Get yourself a guide.

Unless you’re a fishing aficionado, you’re going to want a guide. And even if you’re a fishing aficionado, we still recommend a guide! Captain Dakota knows Northern Michigan’s waterways on a level that takes years of dedication and practice. Venturing out with Dakota increases your odds of finding a honey hole teeming with salmon, steelhead or brown trout, depending on your location. He has these waterways mapped out in his mind and knows where the action is.

2. Gear matters.

Remember that bobber and worm rig we mentioned earlier? While that will fill your bucket with plentiful panfish on warm summer evenings, it won’t be the best way to bag a fighter on the river this fall. Along with river knowledge, your guide has a slew of rods and Rapala and will teach you the basics of fly fishing and light tackle, no experience required. You’re angling for intelligent, ultra-sensitive fish in these waters and the right outfit makes all the difference.

3. Catch what’s biting.

Maybe you had your heart set on steelhead, but they’re not quite on the move. When the brown trout aren’t biting, the salmon may be. Letting Captain Dakota take the reins and plan your ultimate fall fishing adventure means a greater chance of reeling one (or two, four, six or more!) in and leaving with stories to tell. Captain Dakota’s knowledge of the Sturgeon, Jordan, Pigeon, Manistee, Black, Boyne and Maple Rivers extend far beyond what’s in season. His passion for our waterways means he knows which bend to cast a line in and where the big ones have been lurking lately.

4. Fall doesn’t end with the leaves.

Fall fishing extends much later than the novice angler may realize. Your trip doesn’t have to be booked while the leaves are still a dazzling vision overhead. Once they’re crunching beneath your feet, or even if they’re covered with a dusting of snow, you can still drop a line in the rushing waters of our northern waterways. In fact, you may even find the fish more aggressively feeding during this time, and landing one is twice the fun. Gaylord’s “shoulder season” is one of the best times to book your trip with White Pine Guide Service.

Bonus Tip: Fishing in the Dark

You know you just hummed the tune – now why not put it to the test? After mastering fall fishing, set a reminder to book a nighttime fishing experience through White Pine Guide Service next summer!

Whether you’re traveling in search of rivers teeming with fish for the ultimate getaway weekend or simply sampling angling to see if it floats your boat, guided fall fishing trips in Gaylord should be at the top of your itinerary. Extend your enjoyment of autumn past the changing leaves and experience what All Outdoors is all about!

Meet Your Guide: Dakota Mack, White Pine Guide Service

A longtime Northern Michigan resident, US Coast Guard Captain Dakota Mack started working in the fishing industry at 16. He moved up from a cook at a fish camp to assisting guides to guiding himself at 18. By 22, Dakota knew he was ready to branch out on his own and he created White Pine Guide Service. Currently, he provides guide services in the waters of Northern Michigan and Alaska.