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Hawkins Outfitters - Northern Michigan Fly Fishing and Wingshooting
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Northern Michigan Fly Fishing
Fly Fishing for Steelhead
smallmouth bass on the fly

Garden River

Garden River

Garden River , Private Salmon/Steelhead Fishing

In 1997 Chuck Hawkins was granted permission by the Garden River First Nation to guide anglers on the Garden River in the fall of each year. We have private salmon and steelhead fly fishing for our clients with this access. Due to the remote nature of the river and the incredible runs of salmon many knowledgeable anglers call this the best salmon fishing in the Great Lakes.

Species and Methods

Hawkins and his native guides will show you how to catch salmon and steelhead with both streamers and nymphs. You will see salmon chase down and kill a stripped streamer. Steelhead will take both dead drifted eggs and stripped or swung streamers. If cohos come in they will be the first to your fly. The pink salmon fishing is the best in the Great Lakes. Seems like thousands of these smaller salmon ascend the Garden River each year.

Wildlife is abundant, eagles, bears, wolves and moose are all present. The scenery is unsurpassed. The fishing is fantastic and you won’t see anyone but those in your party.

Try the Garden River. Due to the privacy you will experience peace, solitude, and great fishing. You won’t be disappointed.

Key Points

  • 5-6 hours from Detroit but feels and fishes like Alaska
  • Anglers of all abilities find challenge and success on a river as beautiful as any in the world
  • All fishing is catch and release
  • We fish for three species of salmon, Pinks to 4 lbs., Kings to 30 lbs., and Pinooks (cross between king and pink) to 18 lbs. Steelhead numbers vary year to year with numbers increasing later in September
  • Each trip is three days, beginning in early September and ending in early October
  • Chuck Hawkins maintains a fishing report during his trip.

Cost for three days is $995 plus lodging for fishing comparable to Alaska. Also it’s much closer and less expensive


We are now booking the 2020 season.
Our current availability is as follows

September 8/9, four spots, kids trip- Special pricing !

September 30-Oct 2, four spots

Oct 4-6, three spots, the focus of this trip will be steelhead

Book a Fly Fishing Trip

231-228-7135

River Reports

  • Manistee River Trout Fishing
  • Manistee River Below Tippy
  • Pere Marquette
  • Boardman River
  • Grand Traverse Bay
  • Garden River
  • Upland Hunting
  • Waterfowl Hunting

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Hawkins Outfitters Blog

  • Winter’s Effect on Grouse February 6, 2021
  • 2020 Upland and Waterfowl Seasons – Time to Book Your Trip! July 5, 2020
  • Grand Traverse Bay Fishing Report for 6.9.20 June 9, 2020
  • Spring Gundog Training – The Plan May 17, 2020
  • Product Review- Patagonia Macro Puff Hoody February 6, 2020

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