Meet Your Captains and Crew of Boat Lakeside

Welcome to Boat Lakeside, your premier gateway to unforgettable water adventures in the heart of St. Joseph, Michigan. Nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan and the serene St. Joseph River, our family-founded company is dedicated to bringing you closer to the water in ways you’ve only imagined.

Founded by a trio of lifelong boaters and water enthusiasts, Boat Lakeside embodies a passion for exploration, a commitment to preserving our great lakes, and a deep-rooted love for our safe and memorable boating on our local waterways. Our journey began with a simple vision: to make the wonders of Lake Michigan and the St. Joseph River accessible to everyone, regardless of their boating experience. Today, we pride ourselves on being more than just a boating service; we are your personal guide to the beauty, history, and adventure that our local waters have to offer.

Captain Jon

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Years of Experience: 50 years of Boating

Certifications: 50-ton United States Coast Guard Master Captain License

Biography: Captain Jon D began boating the same time he started to walk, and swim… Water runs through his veins, and as a lifelong boater, has always been passionate about sharing his love for the water with others… This is especially true when it comes to the body of water he grew up on – Lake Michigan.

Growing up splitting his time between Chicago in the fall/winter, and his time in St. Joseph Michigan in the spring/summer, Jon knows this lake like the back of his hand… or mitten… He’s always happy to share local facts about the area, as he’s grown with the changes his whole life. Be sure to ask him about his other life as a movie/tv assistant director. His other passion when he’s not on or in water!

Favorite Part of Being a Captain: “Sharing my passion for Lake Michigan in a SAFE and FUN way has always been my goal, to pass my passion onto the next generation.”

Fun Fact: Jon has taken countless trips back and forth from Chicago to St. Joseph… many of those times he has traveled by water!

Captain Mike

Hometown: Baroda, Michigan

Years of Experience: 45 years

Certifications: 50-ton United States Coast Guard Master Captain License

Biography: Captain Mike is a second-generation Charter Captain and long-time water expert. Unofficially dubbed “Southwest Michigan’s most interesting man,” he’s ready to fire off well-known facts of both land and water from his over 60 years of local history. Capt. Mike began career and charter fishing business in 1979, running charter fishing boats on Lake Michigan – from Michigan City, Indiana to Ludington, Michigan. He left the fishing business in ’86 to start a career at UPS. When he retired in 2021, Capt. Mike naturally headed back to the water business and worked as a fleet manager for a local boat club, where he met his Boat Lakeside partners.

Favorite Part of Being a Captain: Capt. Mike loves creating memorial experience for his passengers and helping them discover the scenery of Southwest Michigan from the Lakesider.

Fun Boating Memory: Capt. Mike’s love for boating and Lake Michigan started as a child in the ’60s where he created lasting memories of fishing, good times and great sunset views with his dad.