Club Organized events
Fall Salmon Trip
Where: Northern Michigan Rivers
When September winds down and the leaves start to turn, the club heads north for our annual salmon trip. The last weekend in September puts us on the river during the heart of the fall salmon run — some of the most exciting fishing Michigan has to offer.
This one is a true outdoor experience — we keep it rustic with primitive camping, so come prepared to rough it a little. It's all part of the charm. Good fishing, good company, and nothing but the sound of the river at night.
Stay tuned to club announcements for location details as we get closer to the date.
Fall Steelhead Trip & Tournament
Where: Thompsonville
As deer season approaches and the air gets cold, the club makes its way back north for our fall steelhead trip. We base out of the Thompsonville area, putting us within reach of the Betsie and Manistee Rivers — two of Michigan's finest steelhead fisheries.
This one isn't for the faint of heart. The fall steelhead trip is our most hardcore outing — early mornings, long days on the water, and a grind-it-out mentality. If you're willing to put in the work, the rewards are worth it.
The trip is timed around the week before Michigan's Gun Season opener. It typically coincides with the Michigan Collegiate Steelhead Tournament — a competition the MSU Fishing Club knows well, having taken home the title multiple times. More info on the tournament can be found at the link below.
Late Fall White Fish
Where: Grand Haven State Park
Every fall when Lake Michigan cools down and whitefish push into the rivers, the club carpools out to the shores of Grand Haven for one of our most beloved traditions. We set up along the Southern Pierhead at Grand Haven State Park and target whitefish in prime condition.
The trip falls on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving every year — a perfect way to kick off the holiday week with a rod in hand and good company. It's our shortest and most relaxed trip, wrapping up in a single day with no housing needed and no cap on members who can join. If you want to come, you're in.
No frills, no fuss — just the club, the pier, and the lake. A great first trip for new members looking to get their feet wet with the group.
Winter Ice Trip
Where: TBD Yearly
When the lakes freeze over and the ice is safe, we head out for one of the most laid-back weekends on the club calendar. Our annual ice fishing trip targets panfish and walleye and is as much about building friendships as it is about fishing.
The trip typically falls on MLK Day or President's Day weekend, giving us a long weekend to make the most of it. Location is determined closer to the date based on where conditions are best — we take ice safety seriously and will never put our members on ice we aren't fully confident in.
This trip is a favorite among new members — it's the perfect chance to get to know the rest of the club in a relaxed setting, swap stories, and make some memories out on the ice: no experience necessary, just a willingness to bundle up and have a good time.
Yes, seriously, and we will never put our members on ice, we aren't fully confident in.
This trip is a favorite among new members — it's the perfect chance to get to know the rest of the club in a relaxed setting, swap stories, and make some memories out on the ice. No experience necessary, just a willingness to bundle up and have a good time.
Spring Steelhead Trip
Where: Manistee National Forest
Every March, we pack up and head north for our annual steelhead trip — one of the most anticipated events on the club calendar. We spend the weekend fishing the premier steelhead rivers of West Michigan, including the Pere Marquette, Big Manistee, White, Muskegon, and Betsie Rivers, along with their tributaries.
The third weekend in March puts us right in the heart of the spring steelhead run, when fish are pushing hard through some of the most beautiful river country in the Midwest. We book an Airbnb for the group, making it as much a club bonding trip as it is a fishing one.
Whether you're a seasoned steelheader or looking to catch your first one, this trip is a highlight of the year. Keep an eye on club announcements for details on the next trip.