218-235-3952

I prefer to have my clients meet at my landing for their trip. This ensures the most amount of fishing time during your trip, as well as, complimentary fish cleaning. Lake Vermilion Houseboats has plenty of parking, restroom services, and a gift shop. I can pick up clients at the dock of the resort, cabin, or campground where you are staying, but I will not provide fish cleaning unless adequate fish cleaning accommodations are on site. For our Houseboat guests I will pick you up off the back deck of your Houseboat at your mooring site! I can bring your fish back with me to clean at my landing and then deliver your fillets to your Houseboat during our complimentary service runs or have them waiting for you at checkout. The majority of my trips start in the morning between 7am-8am. I rarely offer afternoon trips, which is dependent upon my busy schedule. I will text you the evening before your trip to confirm start time, pick up location, and number of anglers.

Walleye, but I also guide for Crappie in the spring.

I guide primarily for walleyes and work extremely hard for them. Walleyes are the state fish of Minnesota! They are extremely good table fare and Lake Vermilion is full of them! Lake Vermilion has good populations of “eater” size walleye, as well as, trophy size!

Fishing on Lake Vermilion is always a great experience, but June and August seem to be my best months for consistent catch rates. The month of May provides solid catch rates assuming we have stable weather; June is my best month for trophy size walleyes along with consistent action; the bug hatches of early July make the catching very tough for a couple weeks after the first major hatches; August is my most consistent month for catching year after year; the cooling water of September & October sends the fish in transition, which affects the catch rate. I also provide guided ice fishing trips during the winter. For more info on ice fishing trips please refer to the “Ice Fishing” page of this website.

Very few trips are canceled due to weather, but it can and does happen. With that being said, I don't want to fish in harsh conditions any more than the next guy. I always text my guests the evening before their trip to discuss start time, pickup location, & group size. If the weather forecast is not looking good, we will discuss options at that time. Sometimes we may need to delay the trip, go in early, or take a short break on shore while it passes. Wind does not ruin our fishing day because there is always somewhere on the lake we can fish in relatively calm waters if need be. One of the huge advantages of a 20-foot Ranger boat is being able to handle very rough seas fairly comfortably.

My rates are based on groups up to 3 anglers, but I’m one of the very few guides on the lake that can accommodate up to 4 anglers in my boat. I do prefer groups of 2-3 anglers as I feel it provides the best experience for my clients. For larger groups I recommend we book multiple guides with 2-3 anglers per guide boat. I work with multiple guides on the lake that allow us to accommodate very large groups. I do charge a 15% logistics fee of the total invoice when arranging guides for a group needing more than two guide boats.

First and foremost! Every client needs a MINNESOTA FISHING LICENSE

If you've never been to northern Minnesota before, please be prepared to dress warm and in layers! Please come prepared for whatever weather that we may encounter the day of your trip. It is generally cooler out on the water than on land, which usually correlates to a 10-15 degree temperature difference. Please bring any personal items you may need for the day, so we don't have to make unnecessary trips back to shore and cut into your fishing time. I carry bug spray and sunscreen on board, but it's not a bad idea to have your own. I also have extra bottled water on board as well. I recommend bringing beverages of your own, snacks and/or a lunch, a cooler, and proper clothes including rain gear if rain is in the forecast.

All gas, bait, fishing tackle/equipment, life jackets, and fish cleaning will be provided during your trip. I prefer to use all my fishing tackle/equipment because it is ready rigged for our planned technique(s) during your trip.

You are welcome to keep the fish that you catch but we must adhere to state and lake regulations. Each angler can have 4 walleyes per day and only 4 total in your possession even if you fish multiple days. The walleyes need to be under 20 inches and you are allowed to keep one over 26 inches. I prefer to see the fish over 26 released back to the lake, but it is ultimately your decision. I highly recommend a replica mount of any trophy fish caught. Your trophy fish will live to possibly become a trophy for another angler and replica mounts last much longer and look better than skin mounts!