231-250-8550
Welcome to Xpress Fishing Charters!!
Booking now for Detroit River and Saginaw Bay!
And they thought we were only fishing!
I often hear from fishers and friends that have enjoyed a day or two with us about how much fun they had, or all that they learned during their trip!
Most times...it's rarely about the fish!
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Whether your trip is for old friends to gather for a day to reconnect and reminisce, or for a family outing to share quality time unplugged, or for the crew to just get together for a day of fun and adventure,
we hope that you "fill your tank" while you enjoy your day aboard!
About Us!
Captn Doug Ward and The Walleye Xpress are proud to welcome you to our adventure-fillled paradise in Augres, Mi.
Are you a beginner? Not a problem.
Maybe you're an experienced fisher person? Let's go!
We offer charters for all ages and skill levels. Jump aboard!
Whether you're looking for an electronics and "how do we do it" teaching-style charter, or a hands-on, rod setting, fish netting charter, or maybe just a sit back and relax and reel em' in trip, The Walleye Xpress with Captn Doug is the charter you're looking for!
Captn Doug has fished for over 50 years now. He keeps detailed logs of every trip! Finding fish due to times of the year, weather conditions, water temps, etc is usually not an issue.
Thanks to Pops, he grew up salmon and trout fishing on the Great Lakes. Later on he migrated to bass fishing and the tournament scene. On the tournament trails he earned his way to national tournaments and anglers of the year in a few local trails while team fishing. We've been fishing the bay for 15 years now and the Detroit River on and off since 2007.
Your Captain is a retired Career and Tech Center Machining Instructor with 21 years of experience teaching hands-on style processes. Prior to that he was in Industry for 12 years chasing tools and programs for the automotive, medical, and consumer sectors. A Ferris State University Plastics Engineering Tech grad, he's always looking for new innovative ways to push the envelope with electronics, baits, and tactics! That'll be evident once you come aboard either The Walleye Xpress or The Walleye Xpress - Warrior Edition ( The WX2).
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​Both of our rigs are MiDNR inspected for all safety equipment and approved! And yes, your Captain is USCG licensed and fully insured and is a member of the Michigan Charter Boat Association and the National Professional Anglers Association!
Xpress Fishing Charters LLC Services
Exactly What You Need
News & Updates
The Latest
Salmon Trips are now Offered!
Aug 19th - Sept 10th
That's right! Captain Doug is getting back to his roots!
Pops had him wrestling these things back when he was as tall as they were long!
Powerful arm-stretching Kings are the targets on the west side of the state the last two weeks of August into September! We are booking now for salmon trips from August 19, 2024 thru Sept 10th.
These fish will be close to port mouths in the great lakes! We will be trolling short leads and wrestling fresh fish as they gather near the river mouths for their final trek up the river to spawning! These will be the biggest fish of the year!
Rates and trips will be as follows:
Mornings - 5 am - 11 am...$600 up to 4 fishers
Evenings - 4 pm - 9 pm...$600 up to 4 fishers
Xpress Fishing Charters are now offering
Detroit River Jigging Trips
For the month of April!
World famous Detroit River spring run walleyes fill the river and we'll be there with rod in hand to catch our share to fill your trip with fillets and fun! What a better way to catch walleyes than with a rod in your hand as you lift and drop a jig and "smack!" The bite is swift and the fight is on immediately all the way to the surface! All while your party is admiring the banks of the Windsor Ontario shoreline and the downtown beauty of Detroit and her Renaissance Center Towers in the skyline. Enjoy your trip as we drift the aqua blue waters that separate the two countries! Bring your Canadian license so that we can fish the best shores for the day's bite! We will be running trips twice a day!
7 am - 11:30 am ....$550 for 4 anglers
3 pm - 7:30 pm ....$550 for 4 anglers
We'll clean your fish too! And afterwards you can enjoy lunch at Sinbad's Catch and Cook with a few of your fillets!
Today is "YOUR DAY" aboard The Walleye Xpress!!!
6 & 8-hour Charter Fishing Excursions
on the Saginaw Bay
We offer 6 and 8-hour fishing charters. We only run one trip per day! We will never be in a hurry to get you back in and out for the next group! Your crew is our priority for the day!
Typically, we depart at 7 am, but can start sooner or later depending on your travel situation and/or parties' needs. The fish don't mind when we start!
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Saginaw Bay Walleye Fishing Trip rates:
1/2 day - 6-hours
$550 for four persons
$650 for six persons
All day - 8-hours
$650 for four persons
$750 for 6 persons
Tips are not required, but are greatly appreciated, and should be based on the service and experience that you and the crew enjoyed!
An Evening on Your Own Boat...
Reserve One Today
Yes that's right, your boat! Let me help you shorten the learning curve by years in a single evening! Why evenings? Because you are working and I'm chartering during the mornings and daytime hours. We can do this in the evening during the week! You've spent thousands or tens of thousands of dollars and bought a great rig! You have equipped it with the latest gear and electronics, but just not sure how to get the most out of it? I'll come aboard your rig for three hours to show you how to maximize your electronics, set your boards and rigs, maximize your layout and storage or just how to buff and polish your rig to make it look it's best! With over 30 years of fishing, electronics, and boat rigging/set up and refurbish experience, we can get you up and operating like a pro in a single evening. $300 for a 3-hour consultation aboard your vessel...let's make the most of your new rig! I'll even leave you with a few specific hand written notes and instructions if you need them!
Call me at 231-250-8550 to schedule!
Sunset Cruise to the Charity Islands
Friday and Saturday evenings only - during June, July, and the first two weeks in August...
Bring your own snacks and beverages, up to six guests, and enjoy your evening's 24-mile round trip to the Charity Islands. The islands are our own Little Galapagos Islands right here in Michigan. Beaming with birds and sand shores, the islands are beautiful and offer great wading and swimming opportunities. If the weather and waves permit, we can get shallow enough to beach the boat. The pelicans gather here along with numerous species of colorful birds and ducks. Yes Pelicans! The picture is from the tip of the small island's sand bar. We have a resident group of up to 20 pelicans that call it home for the summer months! Few people have ever seen the inside of Charity Island through the refuge canal. Beautiful sunsets grace our shores and from time to time a colorful rainbow peaks out! Contact us to book a beautiful cruise with your private party of up to 6 adventurers. Trips are $300 and typically depart at 6:30 pm and last for approximately 3 hours.
Call 231-250-8550 to schedule your Sunset Charity Island trip...
Get in Touch
Please get in touch with any questions and comments. We look forward to hosting you aboard The Walleye Express here at Xpress Fishing Charters LLC.
231-250-8550
