Fishing Retreat

Escape to a harmonious blend of nature, fellowship, and faith at our fishing retreat in the serene setting of Portage Lake. Engage in insightful seminars, try your hand at fly tying, and immerse yourself in peaceful fishing sessions. With delicious meals, snacks, and a Sunday worship service, it’s a perfect getaway for those seeking a unique combination of outdoor adventure and spiritual reflection.

● Steelhead and Trout Fishing- Steelhead and trout fishing is open year-round in the Manistee River
below Tippy Dam
● Lake Michigan Pier Fishing in Manistee and Frankfort
● Perch fishing in Portage Lake and Manistee Lake
● Trolling Lake Michigan for Brown Trout and Lake Trout
● Info & advice from some of the preeminent fishermen from Western side of Michigan

What to bring:
-A Michigan “all species fishing license” is required for both steelhead and trout
-Waders or hip boots (preferably waders) required for river fishing
-A fishing boat if Perch fishing, Brown Trout, or Lake Trout fishing
-Sleeping bag & pillow
-Toiletries
-Warm clothes (extra socks!)
-Reusable water bottle
-A sturdy flashlight
-Fishing tackle, fly-tying tools, extra rod and waders to loan out if you have them
Sample Weekend Schedule:

Friday, April 17, 2025
12-1 pm: Check-in at camp
1:30 pm: Fishing Seminars

• Drift fishing
• Steel Heading
• Center pin fishing
• Fishing in a crowd
• Panfish tips
• Year-round fishing tactics.

6:00 pm: Dinner

Sat, April 18, 2025
6 am: Continental Breakfast
Next: Fishing
Sack Lunch while fishing
6:00 PM: Dinner

Sun, April 13, 2025
10:30 am: Large Brunch (You are welcome to fish prior to brunch)
11:30 am: Worship Service

A note from the retreat organizer, Jeff Bonin:

Greetings!

Well, spring is coming. Keep the faith!! Our annual fishing weekend is scheduled for April 17-19, 2026. The fishing should be good, and the fellowship is always great. There will be some fishing seminars beginning Friday afternoon at 1:30 pm. These will cover a variety of topics related primarily to steelhead fishing, but all fishing topics are open for discussion. If you are new to this sport, you will want to be there!! Dinner on Friday night is at 6:00 pm again this year. We will offer fly-tying instruction on Saturday evening. We will have supplies on hand but please bring your own tools if you have them. This will also be the time to share and instruct on any fishing skill you may have that would benefit the group. We will fish early Saturday morning and afternoon, and before breakfast Sunday. After fishing on Sunday, we will have brunch followed by a worship service. We are planning big evening meals on Friday and Saturday. A continental breakfast will be available early Saturday morning, and we will each pack a sack lunch for our Saturday fishing excursions after dinner on Friday (all the fixings, snacks, and beverages are part of the deal). Beverages and snacks will always be available at other times as well.
Your online registration and payment directly to camp is a must. Please inform us well ahead of time if you have dietary restrictions. If you need assistance registering, please call the camp office. We really want to see you at camp so please think this over as soon as possible!
-Jeff