Trout Fishing
Southeast Minnesota
Fed by the cold water of natural springs, the valleys of southeastern Minnesota are an angler’s paradise, with more than 700 miles of trout streams. From “jump-across” sized streams with native brook trout, to larger rivers with brown trout approaching ten pounds, southeast Minnesota is worth the less than two hour drive from the Twin Cities. The MN DNR website has excellent maps of easement and public land locations, along with special regulations at www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/trout_streams/south_mn_maps.html . Best bets include Trout Run (map 4), Rush Creek and its tributaries (maps 5 and 8), and the Middle Branch of the Whitewater (map 7). Call the Lanesboro Area Fisheries Office for more information 507-467-2442. Guides: www.minnesotaflyfishing.com/ , www.minnesotatrout.com/, www.scottthorpeflyfishing.com/.
Western Wisconsin
Across the St. Croix River, just a short 30-45 minute drive from St. Paul, are some of the best blue-ribbon trout streams in the Midwest. The Kinnickinic River flows through the town of River Falls, and excellent fishing can be found both upstream and downstream. Browns predominate at over 5000 fish per mile, but brookies are prevalent in tributaries such as Parker Creek and the South Fork of the Kinnickinic. Also worth exploring are the Trimbelle and Rush Rivers. Maps are at dnr.wi.gov/fish/species/trout/streammaps.html, select St. Croix or Pierce Counties. Guide: www.graygoatflyfishing.com/.
TWIN CITIES FISHING GUIDES
St. Croix R. and Upper Mississippi R.
Croixsippi Fishing Guide Service www.croixsippi.com
The Griz Fishing Guide www.fishwiththegriz.com
Mighty Musky Fishing Guide Service www.mightymusky.com
Lake Minnetonka Fishing Guides www.lakeminnetonkaguides.com
Monticello Shuttles www.monticelloshuttles.com
Flyfish Minnesota with Paul Hansen www.flyfishminnesota.com
St. Croix Fishing Guide Service www.playinghookymn.com
Lindy’s St. Croix River Guide Service lindyrig0.tripod.com/index.html
Muskie Breath Guide Service www.muskiebreath.com
Mille Lacs area angling opportunities and resorts
business.millelacs.com/list/category/resorts-lodges
Northern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin Fishing Opportunities & Guides
Duluth, MN (Lake Superior Charter Fishing)
1) Duluth Charter Fishing
218-348-BOAT (2628)
www.duluthcharterfishing.com/
half day: $420; full day: $620
Lake trout, walleye, and salmon
2) Lake Superior Fishing
218-390-4522
www.lakesuperiorfishing.com/
half day: $425; full day: $625
Lake trout and salmon
3) Adventure Sport Fishing
218-624-2553
www.fishinduluth.com/index.htm
half day: $380; full day: $520
Lake trout and salmon
Duluth, MN (St. Louis River and area lakes)
1)Nelson’s Guide and Charter Service
218-628-1681
www.stlouisriverguy.com/
St. Louis River
2) Walleye Waters Guide Service
218-590-9094
www.walleyewatersguide.com/
half day: $200; full day: $325
St. Louis River and Duluth area lakes
3) Wildwood Float Trips
(612) 723-7438
www.wildwoodfloattrips.com
Full day: $425
St. Louis R., St. Croix R., and Upper Mississippi R.
4)Northland Muskie Adventures Guide Service
Dustin Carlson and Adam LaPorte – 218-464-2379
Pete Brzezinski – 715-574-1813
Bob Benson – 715-642-2607
www.northlandmuskieadventures.com/
Half day: $250.00; Full day: $400.00
Brule River in Northwest WI
Fly by Night guide service
fbnguideservice.com/
ph: 218-390-0629
email: info@fbnguideservice.com
Northern Minnesota Lake Vermilion, Island Lake and the St. Louis R.
Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior
1)North Shore Outdoors
Captain Kelly: 218-387-9764
Captain Darren: 866-663-9932
www.northshoreoutdoorsmn.com
Grand Marais Charter Boat, BWCA area lakes
2)Tofte Charters
Captain Darren: 866-663-9932
www.toftecharters.com
Half day: $375; Full day: $625
Harbor Cruise $60.00
Manitou Falls Cruise $225.00
Beaver Bay, Silver Bay, Schroeder, Tofte, Lutsen and Grand Marais
3)North Coast Charters and Tours
Captain Tom Muntean: 218-370-8830
www.northshorevisitor.com/charterfishing/
Half Day: $350 Full Day: $500
Two Harbors area
Northwestern Wisconsin
1)Hayward Fly Fishing Company
(715) 634-8149
www.haywardflyfishingcompany.com
full day: $395
Namekagon R., Chippewa R., Flambeau R.
2)Arrowhead Fly Angler
(218) 590-1712
www.arrowheadflyangler.com
full day: $275-$350
Bois Brule R. and Chequamegon Bay
3)Tanner Wildes Guide Service
(715) 462-4274
www.tannerwildes.com
half day: $215; full day: $350
Chippewa Flowage and St. Louis R.
4)Headwater Fly Fishing Company
(763) 493-5800
www.headwatersflyfishing.com
full day: $350; half day: $255
Northern Minnesota (Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness-BWCA)
1)Sawbill Canoe Outfitters
(218) 663-7150
www.sawbill.com/
Various BWCA outfitting packages available
2)Boundary Waters Outfitters
218-365-3466
www.boundarywatersoutfitters.com/index.htm
Various BWCA outfitting packages available
3)Sawtooth Outfitters
(218) 663-7643
www.sawtoothoutfitters.com/
Equipment rentals (e.g. canoe, kayak, camping, bike, etc.)