5.0(3 Reviews)Private Full Day Central Minnesota Rivers Fishing
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
River Fishing
Fullday guided trip targeting bass, muskie, catfish, and troutEight hours on Central and Upper Minnesota River watersMaximum two guests ensures personalized fishing instruction
Get ready for a serious day on the water with Evergreen Outfitting's private full-day fishing adventure along Central and Upper Minnesota River. This isn't your average weekend cast-and-hope trip – we're talking 8 solid hours of guided fishing action starting at 7 AM, targeting everything from scrappy smallmouth bass to the legendary muskie. At $200 per person with just one guest max, you're getting the kind of personalized attention that turns good fishing days into great ones. Pack your valid Minnesota fishing license and come hungry – lunch is on us while you're chasing your next personal best.
This full-day river fishing experience puts you right in the heart of Minnesota's premier bass and muskie waters. The Central and Upper Minnesota River system offers diverse structure and current breaks that hold quality fish year-round. You'll be working with an experienced local guide who knows every productive bend, fallen tree, and rocky point along these stretches. The 7 AM start gets you on prime morning bite windows, and with 8 hours to work with, there's plenty of time to adjust tactics as conditions change. The single-guest format means your guide can focus entirely on putting you on fish and fine-tuning your technique. Whether you're looking to master new presentations or just want to catch more and bigger fish, this personalized approach delivers results that group trips simply can't match.
River fishing in Central Minnesota demands versatility, and that's exactly what this trip delivers. You'll be working a mix of casting techniques depending on what the fish are telling you – everything from topwater explosions in the early morning to deep cranking the channel edges when the sun gets high. The guide provides all the essential tackle, but the real value comes from learning when and where to throw specific baits. Smallmouth bass respond well to jigs bounced along rocky bottom transitions, while muskie fishing often means throwing big baits near structure and working them with aggressive retrieves. The river's current creates natural feeding lanes where predator fish set up to ambush baitfish, so you'll spend time reading water and positioning presentations in these high-percentage zones. This hands-on coaching approach means you're not just catching fish – you're building skills that'll pay off on future trips.
"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 Central Minnesota River fishing, and for good reason. These bronze-backed fighters are incredibly aggressive and put up a pound-for-pound battle that'll test your drag system. In these river systems, smallies typically range from 12 to 18 inches, with trophy fish pushing over 20 inches and 4+ pounds. They're most active during spring and fall transitions when water temperatures sit in the 60-70 degree range, but summer fishing can be outstanding if you target early morning and evening periods. What makes smallmouth so addictive is their willingness to hit a variety of baits – from finesse plastics to aggressive topwater – and their habit of schooling up around prime structure. When you find one, there's usually more nearby.
Muskellunge represent the ultimate river fishing challenge, and the Central Minnesota River system holds some legitimate giants. These apex predators can stretch well over 40 inches and provide the kind of heart-stopping strikes that fishing dreams are made of. Muskie fishing requires patience and persistence – they're notorious for following baits without committing – but when one decides to eat, it's pure chaos. Fall is prime time for muskie action when they're feeding heavily before winter, though summer fishing can be productive if you're willing to throw big baits in low-light conditions. The mental game is just as important as technique with muskie. You might cast for hours without a follow, then suddenly have a 30-pound fish try to destroy your bait. That's what keeps serious muskie anglers coming back trip after trip.
This private full-day fishing experience delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for – personalized instruction, productive water, and the kind of local knowledge that takes years to develop on your own. With flexible start times and a guide who's dedicated to putting you on your best fish, this trip offers real value for anyone looking to step up their river fishing game. The single-guest format ensures you're getting maximum attention and coaching, while the 8-hour timeframe gives you multiple opportunities to connect with quality fish. Don't forget that valid Minnesota fishing license, and come ready for a day that might just reset your expectations for what river fishing can deliver.
Your full-day Minnesota River fishing adventure runs aboard a reliable 2018 18-foot Rockproof boat powered by a 200hp Inboard Optimax engine that'll cruise you to the best fishing spots at up to 45 knots. Built tough for river conditions, this boat handles everything from shallow backwaters where bass hide to deeper channels where muskie patrol. The wireless trolling motor lets you drift silently over promising structure without spooking fish, while the GPS navigation system keeps you on productive water. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools of trout and marks bottom structure where catfish feed. With space for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work different techniques and land whatever bites. Whether you're casting for smallmouth around rocky points or trolling for muskie in deeper pools, this setup gives you the mobility and stealth to fish the Central and Upper Minnesota River effectively all day long.
Esox MasquinongyMuskie are the apex predators of our river system - these massive pike family members can stretch 3-4 feet and weigh 15-30 pounds, with true giants pushing 50+ pounds. They're ambush hunters with razor-sharp teeth, lurking around weed edges, rocky shoals, and deeper structure. These fish are built for explosive strikes with their torpedo-shaped bodies and rearward fins. Late summer through fall gives you the best shot, especially when water temps cool and they get more active. What draws anglers is the challenge - muskie are called "the fish of 10,000 casts" for good reason. They're moody, selective, and when you finally hook one, the fight is legendary with wild runs and jumps. Most folks release these trophy fish. Here's my go-to tip: always do a figure-8 at boatside when your lure gets close. Muskie often follow without striking, and that final move triggers them to hit.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are scrappy fighters that'll test your skills on light tackle. These bronze-backed beauties average 12-16 inches and love the rocky structure along our Minnesota River stretches. They're ambush predators that hide behind boulders and fallen timber, waiting to strike crayfish and minnows. Spring and fall are prime time when they move shallow during warm, bright days. Summer pushes them deeper into cooler water, so early morning and evening become your best shots. What makes smallmouth special is their fight - pound for pound, they're some of the strongest fish you'll hook. They jump, run, and never give up easy. For eating, they're excellent with firm, mild fillets. Here's a local trick: when you're working rocky areas, let your jig hit bottom then lift it just enough to tick the rocks. That subtle contact drives them crazy.
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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