5.0(2 Reviews)Private Winter Sight Fishing - Minnesota
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Watch rainbow trout swim through 3x4 foot ice holes in real timeAll gear, heated shelters, and equipment included for comfortLocated one hour from Twin Cities in springfed waters
Picture this: standing over a massive ice hole, watching rainbow trout cruise beneath your feet while you drop your line right into their strike zone. That's exactly what you'll get on our private winter sight fishing trips in Central Minnesota's crystal-clear spring-fed waters. Just an hour from the Twin Cities, this isn't your typical ice fishing setup where you're staring at a tip-up hoping something happens. You'll be actively watching trout swim around below and targeting them in real time - it's like having X-ray vision through the ice.
When you arrive at our top-rated fishing spot, you'll find everything ready to go - no hauling gear across the lake or setting up your own shelter. We cut a generous 3x4 foot viewing hole that gives you plenty of room to work and an amazing window into the underwater world. The spring-fed nature of these waters means they stay clear all winter long, giving you that perfect visibility that makes sight fishing so addictive. Our heated shelters keep you comfortable even when Minnesota decides to show off its winter attitude, and we provide all the high-quality rods and tackle you'll need. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to try something new or bringing the family out for their first ice fishing adventure, this setup works for everyone. The beauty of sight fishing is that you can actually see what's working and what isn't - it's hands-on learning that'll make you a better angler on any water.
Sight fishing through the ice is a completely different game than traditional ice fishing, and that's what makes it so exciting. Instead of waiting for a flag to pop or feeling for subtle bites, you're watching the fish's behavior and adjusting your presentation in real time. We'll teach you how to read trout body language - when they're aggressive and chasing, when they're spooked, and when they're just cruising and need a more finesse approach. You'll learn to vary your jigging cadence, change lure colors on the fly, and position your bait exactly where the fish are feeding. The gear we provide includes a variety of jigs, spoons, and soft plastics that work well in these clear waters, plus we'll show you how to modify your technique based on what the fish are telling you. Some days they want something flashy and aggressive, other days a subtle presentation is key. The real skill comes in learning to read the water and the fish - skills that'll serve you well whether you're fishing through ice or open water.
"One of the best outfitter experience I ever had. 1. Equipment :5 stars. Every thing you need for a comfortable and relaxing ice fishing trip. 2. Price: 5 stars. can't beat the price. 3. Communication : 5 star. Made sure safety was the first priority. Offered alternatives if the trip was to cancel due to bad weather. Kept updated regarding conditions. 4. Fishing experience : caught a ton of fish. Guide wanted us to catch more and kept on teaching us endless techniques for catching trout. Guide was knowledgable and has been doing this for many years. Was super friendly. Highly recommend if taking kids. Was extremely patient with my son. Answered all his questions. 5. Location: Extremely convenient if you live in twin cities. Fishing location was an hour away. Also educated about other spots where I could fish. Some guides hide this information but our guide was open about his fishing locations. We met some his older clients on the lake who were successfuly fishing. Honestly absolutely no negatives for the trip. Our guide went above and beyond to make our experience memorable. Highly recommend it and would do it again." - Hashim
"I hired Ben from Evergreen Outfitting and I cannot say enough great things about the experience. Not just about the fishing but honestly his whole personality, passion and patience. Ben put me on an amazing poke for my first pike ever, and taught me quite a bit about small mouth fishing. talking to him for more than a short minute will show you how knowledgeable and more importantly passionate he is about the outdoors. I haven't only recommended him to anyone that'll listen I've booked his service for a muskie trip coming up and trout this winter." - Ryder
Rainbow Trout are the stars of our winter sight fishing show, and for good reason. These fish stay active all winter long in our spring-fed waters, often cruising in small schools that make for exciting action. Minnesota rainbows typically run 12-18 inches, with some real bruisers pushing over 20 inches. They're curious fish that respond well to movement, making them perfect for sight fishing techniques. You'll often see them rise up from deeper water to investigate your offering, and watching that take happen right in front of you never gets old. Winter rainbows fight hard in the cold water - they'll make long runs and jump even through that big hole, giving you a battle you won't forget.
Brown Trout are the trickiest customers in these waters, but that's what makes them so rewarding to target. These fish are naturally more cautious than their rainbow cousins, often hanging deeper and requiring a more finesse approach. Central Minnesota browns can grow impressive - we see fish in the 15-22 inch range regularly, with some real trophies lurking in the deeper holes. They tend to be more active during low light periods, so early morning and late afternoon can be prime time. When you do hook into a brown through the ice, be ready for a fight - these fish are known for their strength and stamina.
Lake Trout bring the size factor to our winter fishing, with fish commonly reaching 20-30 inches and some real giants pushing even bigger numbers. Lakers are deep water specialists that cruise the bottom structure, making them perfect targets for vertical jigging techniques. They're not as common as the rainbows and browns, but when you connect with one, you'll know it immediately. These fish
Salvelinus FontinalisBrook trout are the jewels of cold, clean water - absolutely stunning with their olive backs, red spots ringed in blue, and those distinctive wavy lines. Most run 8-14 inches in our waters, making them perfect for light tackle fun. These char (technically not true trout) need pristine conditions and water below 68°F, so they're great indicators of healthy streams. They love hiding under fallen trees, around boulders, and in the deeper pockets of small streams and spring-fed areas. Fall through early winter is peak time when they're most active before spawning. What makes brookies special is their beauty and the remote, peaceful spots where you find them. They're scrappy fighters and excellent eating with sweet, delicate flesh. The challenge is their skittishness - they spook easily in shallow, clear water. My go-to trick is approaching from downstream and keeping a low profile. Use small presentations and make your first cast count because you rarely get a second chance with these beauties.
Tylosurus AcusBrown trout are the craftiest fish in our waters, and that's what makes them so rewarding to catch. These golden-brown beauties typically run 14-20 inches and are notorious for being picky eaters. They love hiding around structure - fallen logs, undercut banks, and deeper pools where the current slows down. Fall and winter are your best shots when they get more aggressive before spawning season. What makes browns special is their wariness; they'll inspect your presentation closely and bolt at the first sign of trouble. The fight is different too - less jumping, more bulldogging runs that test your drag. They're fantastic table fare with firm, flaky meat. The key trick with browns is patience. If you spook one, give that spot a good 20-minute rest before trying again. They have long memories but short attention spans once they settle back down.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the giants lurking in our deeper lakes, and they're built for cold water living. These gray-green monsters can reach 20-40 pounds, though most we see run 5-15 pounds and 24-30 inches. They spend most of their time suspended in deep, oxygen-rich water, often 40-80 feet down during summer but come shallower in winter and spring. Right after ice-out is prime time when they move up to feed. What draws people to lake trout is their sheer power - these fish make long, deep runs that'll test your equipment. They're also excellent eating with firm, white meat. The fight is different from other trout - more of a steady, heavy pull than flashy jumps. Best technique is vertical jigging with heavy spoons or swimbaits. Here's the trick: vary your jigging cadence. Lakers often hit on the drop, so keep tension on the line and be ready to set the hook on any tap or weight change.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout are what makes our sight fishing trips so special. These beauties average 12-16 inches in our spring-fed waters and put on quite a show with their silver bodies and that classic pink stripe. They love the clear, cold water that stays around 55-60°F year-round. Winter is prime time since you can actually watch them cruise through the water column, usually hanging 3-8 feet down. What guests love most is seeing the fish before they bite - it's like underwater hunting. These trout fight hard for their size, making strong runs and sometimes jumping. The meat is excellent eating too, with firm pink flesh. Pro tip: when you see one approaching your bait, resist the urge to jig aggressively. Let it come to you - subtle movements work better when they can see everything you're doing through that crystal-clear water.
5.0 out of 5.0One of the best outfitter experience I ever had. 1. Equipment :5 stars. Every thing you need for a comfortable and relaxing ice fi...
I hired Ben from Evergreen Outfitting and I cannot say enough great things about the experience. Not just about the fishing but ho...
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