5.0(3 Reviews)Private Full Day Minnesota River Fishing Trip
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
River Fishing
Full day guided trip targeting bass, muskie, catfish, and troutEight hours of fishing on Central and Upper Minnesota RiverMaximum two guests ensures personalized attention and local expertise
Ready to spend a serious day on the water? This 8-hour guided fishing trip on Central and Upper Minnesota's rivers is built for anglers who want the real deal. Starting at 7 AM (though we can flex on timing if you need), you'll have the entire day to work prime smallmouth bass water, chase trophy muskie, and target everything from chunky largemouth to solid catfish and trout. With just one guest per trip, you get Ben's undivided attention and decades of local knowledge. At $200 for the day with lunch included, it's the kind of value that keeps regulars coming back season after season. Just bring your valid Minnesota fishing license and get ready for some of the best river fishing the state has to offer.
This isn't your typical "let's see what bites" kind of trip. Ben grew up fishing these Central Minnesota waters and knows every rock pile, current seam, and deep hole that holds fish. You'll spend the full 8 hours working different stretches of the Minnesota River system, adjusting tactics as conditions change throughout the day. The beauty of a private trip means we can focus entirely on what you want to accomplish - whether that's landing your first muskie, dialing in smallmouth techniques, or just putting as many fish in the net as possible. The river changes personality from morning to evening, and having a full day lets us adapt and move to where the fish are most active. Lunch is handled so you can stay focused on fishing, and with flexible start times, we can work around your schedule.
The Minnesota River system offers diverse fishing opportunities, and we'll match our approach to current conditions and your skill level. For smallmouth bass, we'll work rocky areas with jigs, soft plastics, and topwater when they're aggressive. Muskie fishing requires bigger baits and specific presentations - think bucktails, large soft baits, and plenty of patience. Largemouth hold in different structure than smallies, so we'll target fallen trees, weed edges, and backwater areas with spinnerbaits and Texas-rigged worms. The catfish bite can be fantastic using cut bait in deeper holes, while trout require lighter tackle and more finesse approaches. Ben provides all the gear and will teach you the specific techniques that work best on these waters. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced angler looking to refine your river fishing skills, the instruction is tailored to help you catch more fish.
"My kids and I got to hang with Ben for a half day. It was an amazing trip and he is an awesome guide. He was patient with us and had a great attitude. He grew up in the area so he knew where the best spots were and what techniques were the best. He is good for pure beginners like us to catching Musky like a pro. We had him recommended by our Air BnB and he didn't disappoint. Thanks Ben!" - Travis
"👏👏👏👏👍" - Osterno
"Best fishing day of my life!!! Ben was an awesome guide, very accommodating and flexible! I was able to accomplish my goal of building confidence and learing specific lures and actually catch a fish! He put me on my PB as well! I started out slow but with his advice and tips, I started slinging them! I caught smallmouth, rockbass, pike, and walleye during our trip. Highly recommend! Always a bonus to support a veteran as well! Edit: fishing was so good, I had to book a 2nd trip! Of course he put me on a new PB smallmouth at over 21" and 4.7 lbs!" - Binh
Smallmouth bass are the bread and butter of Minnesota River fishing, and for good reason. These bronze fighters are incredibly aggressive and put up a scrap that'll test your drag system. In Central Minnesota waters, smallies typically run 12-16 inches with plenty of 3-4 pound fish mixed in. The real trophies - like the 21-inch, 4.7-pounder from Binh's trip - are what keep anglers coming back. Spring through fall offers excellent smallmouth action, but late summer and early fall can be absolutely lights-out when they're feeding heavily before winter. They love rocky structure, current breaks, and drop-offs. What makes smallmouth so addictive is their willingness to hit topwater baits - there's nothing quite like watching a big bronze back explode on a popper at sunrise.
Muskellunge represent the ultimate river challenge and the fish of 10,000 casts reputation. The Minnesota River system holds some serious muskie, with fish over 40 inches caught regularly by anglers who know what they're doing. These apex predators are ambush feeders that require patience, proper technique, and mental toughness. Fall is prime time for muskie as water temps cool and they feed aggressively before winter. What makes targeting muskie so special is the combination of size, fight, and the fact that every follow and strike gets your heart pumping. They're moody fish that can test your patience, but when you hook into a legitimate muskie on river tackle, it's a battle you won't forget. Ben knows the specific spots and presentations that trigger strikes from these river giants.
A full day with dedicated guide service, lunch, and access to some of Minnesota's best river fishing for $200 is tough to beat. The single-guest format means you get personalized instruction and can fish at your own pace without worrying about other anglers. Ben's local knowledge and veteran guide experience consistently put clients on fish, whether you're after your first smallmouth or chasing a trophy muskie. With flexible start times and a guide who genuinely loves sharing these waters, this trip delivers the kind of authentic Minnesota river fishing experience that creates lasting memories. The calendar
Our 2018 18-foot Rockproof boat is built tough for Minnesota's river fishing conditions. Powered by a reliable 200 Inboard Optimax engine that cruises at 45 knots, this rig gets you to the hotspots fast and efficiently. The wireless trolling motor lets us work structure quietly without spooking fish, while the GPS navigation system keeps us on productive water throughout your 8-hour trip. The fish finder helps locate schools and structure where bass, muskie, catfish, and trout hold. Perfect for up to two anglers, this boat offers a stable platform for casting to shoreline cover or working deeper channels. Whether you're targeting trophy muskie in the current breaks or working jigs for smallmouth around rocky points, this setup handles whatever the Central and Upper Minnesota River throws at us.
Esox MasquinongyMuskie are the apex predators of our river system – think of them as freshwater sharks with attitude. These giants typically run 30-40 inches but we've seen 50+ inchers that'll make your reel scream. They're ambush hunters that lurk around weed edges, rocky points, and timber where they can surprise prey. Fall is peak season when they're feeding heavily before winter, though late summer can produce if you fish the deeper pools. Most anglers target muskie for the trophy potential and the adrenaline rush – there's nothing quite like a muskie explosion on your lure. Use barbless hooks since their needle-sharp teeth make hook removal tricky. My local tip: throw large bucktails or jerkbaits along the weed lines at dawn. These fish follow lures, so always do a figure-8 at boatside.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are scrappy fighters that'll test your drag system on every hookset. These bronze-backed beauties average 12-16 inches but can push 20+ inches in our river system. They love rocky bottoms, current breaks, and fallen timber where they ambush crayfish and minnows. Spring and fall are prime time when they're active in shallower water, but summer fishing can be solid if you target deeper pools early morning or evening. What makes smallmouth special is their fight-to-size ratio – a 2-pound smallie will give you the battle of a 4-pound largemouth. The meat's firm and tasty too. My go-to trick is working tube jigs slowly along the rocky ledges where the current slows down. These fish are aggressive but spook easy, so keep your approach quiet.
5.0 out of 5.0My kids and I got to hang with Ben for a half day. It was an amazing trip and he is an awesome guide. He was patient with us and h...
👏👏👏👏👍
Best fishing day of my life!!! Ben was an awesome guide, very accommodating and flexible! I was able to accomplish my goal of bui...
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