How to Cook Your Catch in Michigan

Under the light of the early morning sun, Captain Denny Grinold expertly steers “Old Grin” over the sparkling waters of Lake Michigan. As captain of Fish N' Grin Charters, Captain Grinold is not just a seasoned angler and longtime protector of the Great Lakes; he is also your personal guide for the day, swiftly moving across the deep blue fresh water where big-game salmon and trout swim beneath the surface.

I boy holding a salmon on a boat.
Summer Fishing in Michigan | Photo Courtesy of Pure Michigan

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From the creak of the rod holder to the snap of the line, anticipation builds and adrenaline surges. If you win the battle and successfully haul a fish into a net and out of the water, another great reward awaits. Watch in awe as your prized catch is skillfully cleaned, scaled and

filleted into fresh slabs, iced and neatly bagged with the date and time clearly marked.

Learn more fishing tips from the experts.

From there, all you have to do is follow the scents of butter and smoke into a harborside restaurant and hand over the package. Minutes later, a perfectly seasoned fish slides onto your plate, prepared any way you like — grilled, pan-fried, baked or blackened.

Select restaurants work with charter boat companies to make this experience possible. In the lakeside city of Manistee, spots like Chopos Northside Bar and Blue Fish Kitchen + Bar are prepared to cook your catch; at Jamesport Brewing Company in Ludington, your filleted fish is served family-style along with fresh sides. At Blush Rooftop Terrace in Traverse City, you can dine overlooking the East Bay, the same waters where you caught your fish earlier that day.

From historical smoke shacks to modern charter docks, cooking your catch is a timeless tradition in Michigan. For dedicated anglers, it’s just part of the experience; but for those who are newer to the activity, charter boat captains and chefs will skillfully walk you through every step to fully experience the best of Michigan fishing. Find fishing trips and charters in Michigan, and they’ll lead you to the local restaurants that can transform your catch into a meal you’ll never forget.