Musky guide - Musky season

[Nico]

hello all,

As some of you knows I'm French and I'm in the north of america for only one year.

I plan to try to fish some muskies, but I don't really know when it's possible to fish them ?

Also to be sure to realise minimum one catch I want to book a guide. Can you give me some good fishing musky guide in Minnesota please ? Someone nice and good fishermann if possible...

Thank you guys !

[Musky_45]

for the Detroit lakes area which is probably the closest waters to where you are at i would give Jerry Sondag a call at 218 280 8482 awsome guy and knows his stuff.

[Muskiefool]

Central MN I would say Aaron Meyer(320)260-0961 [email protected], for Vermilion Ace's Guide Service; for North Central (Bemidji Cass Big etc.) Kevin Cochran; All 3 are as good as it gets and they work hard to make MN the best place to fish Muskies.

[scsavre]

Call Jerry, no body catches more big fish then Jerrys clients.

Head-shaker guide service.

[ole matty]

Jerry Sondag, Jerry Sondag and Jerry Sondag.

[hhguide]

Greg Thomas for detroit or Alexandria Area for me. Greg is on the water every single say of the summer and knows where and exactly where the fish are.

[Whisker Warrior]

You cant go wrong with Greg as i've only heard good things but i would recommend Dave Williamson(MuskyStalker.com) he's in the Alex area and will travel up to Detroit Lakes and about 5 other lakes in the area....he's offering a discount if you book before april as well....Good Luck!

[urban cowboy]

Josh Borovsky

He is a world champ and professional muskie guide. He has filmed with some of the most prominent muskie shows on tv and guides all over MN. From the metro to the big v he will put on on fish.

One of the most tuned in fisherman I have ever fished with. He will knock years off the learning curve. I would call in advance if you are looking for a specific date and location

Good luck.

[GBPackerNut]

I suppose it depends on where in Minnesota you are going to be.

If you are in the DL Area I would recommend Jerry from Headshaker Guide Service.

I dont know any of the guides outside of the DL area.

[scsavre]

Why Pay Greg T, a traveling guide...., when you could hire Jerry who lives in DL......Unless you are thinking a trip farther from home.

Jerry has a few weekends and days left still, check his site.

[Musky Buck]

Depends on where you want to go, I'd give a plug to Kevin Cochran in the Bemidji area. Went with him last summer unfortunately in poor near dreadful musky conditions and I still boated a 40+ incher, early in the AM I watched him closely modifiying the lure he wanted me to throw, in my mind I'm like precious time a wasting Kev, took maybe 10 minutes, got a few Mt Dew's in me and sure enough tried the lure 0, bit later in the day he was throwing the same bait without the modification I scored he didn't, then a big smile, now you know why I took the time at 5 AMish this morning to alter that bait for you, then I offered the front of the boat and the lure and he was like no way, lets go get fish #2. I had so much fun I'm going again with him and I've fished muskies for 23 years, I learned some new tricks of the trade and enjoyed every minute with him.

[smeese]

I second Dave of Musky Stalker Guide service. Like Thomas he is always out and follows the fish well he finds em. Fish in the boat every day I have been with him. Got me my personal best of 53.5X23 and one year I got 5 fish in two days. I am sure you will be happy where ever you choose, but if you pick Dave you will learn a lot from my experiences

[hhguide]

Because that traveling guide is one of the best in the business. He has fished up there for a few years now and I know he catches them. I've been in the boat multiple times fishing when hes up there and its something else. Nothing against Jerry as He knows how to fish too and hes good. But I know Greg is on the water every single day looking and finding those fish. Who cares if he's a traveling fishing guide. He helps bring business to the lakes area he fishes.

[PropsterII]

I second Drake's call. Nothing against Jerry but Greg knows DL, and the other lakes in that area, every bit as well as Jerry. Plus he's just a fun guy to be around.

[scsavre]

How does a traveling guide bring business to a lake.

Go look at jerrys pics, its just nuts.

Also Jerry does live on a decent musky lake.

I dont even think the guy who posted has even replied.

Good luck.

[cbrooks]

If there's one guide that hear about who catches lots of fish and big ones...Jerry Sonbag is the one I think of first. Just take a look at his pics.

[HooknHorns]

Fished with Gregg back when i first started and I learned a ton. He was very busy and works hard for his clients. Got my first in only 15 mins with him on mille lacs. Hes the only guide ive had so cant comment about others. Good time.

[Quackaddict9]

]How does a traveling guide bring business to a lake.

Go look at jerrys pics, its just nuts.

Also Jerry does live on a decent musky lake.

I dont even think the guy who posted has even replied.

Good luck.

can't be no worse than Hulbert...traveling all the way from Indiana and fishes the Bemidji area when there are already great local guides.

[jsondag]

A buddy informed me of this thread - I had given up on the Winter Net due to the fact that it always seems to turn into an argument over what color the sky is... and that bugs me.

I appreciate the props that have been paid to me on this thread since it was just a basic MN musky guide question and even though Nico posted from Fargo, ND, it had nothing to do with the Detroit Lakes area. However, it is amazing how the mention of hiring me automatically spurns a need for some to challenge - No offense to them of course... I know every guide mentioned on this thread and some of the authors of posts. All of the pro's mentioned are good guides in their own ways and mesh with different clients in their own special ways.

I guide in the DL area as was mentioned, a little bubble of West Central MN and that's it. I do this because I have a near 100% catch success rate year after year with loads of giants and have a pretty neat life outside of musky fishing. I like to come home to my wife and son on a nightly basis, take a day off, hang with buddies, drink some beer, play some hockey and keep sane. I have become somewhat of a home body and I love it! If I do travel to fish musky it's usually to Ontario to fish with pals - If I travel a distance to fish it's to fish for myself in a saltier capacity.

If you have limited time in MN here are recommendations for a guide from a guide:

1. Vermillion, Mille Lacs & Metro- Luke Ronnestrand or Jason Hamernick - Probably 2 of the best musky fisherman I have ever spent time in a boat with.

2. Leech, Bemidji, Cass - Dan Craven ( if taking new clients), Kevin Cochran - These guys are local guides dialed in on these lakes and someday you will read stories about Craven, as he's the closest thing to unsolicited musky royalty.. Dan would deny it, but Ask any body who knows the gamut of musky fisherman.

3. Alexandria area - Brad Hoppe (if still booking) Jason H, Luke R, or Gregg Thomas - These guys have been pounding this area as a network for last half a decade +.

4. DL area - Of course I'd say myself. I'm the only professional musky guide living here, a local business and member of one of the most area conscious MI clubs - I've spent more time fishing in this area than any of the above names combined. Some of them maybe visiting regularly and learning it day in day out, but I knew it weed for weed, fish for fish, before the lakes were on the other guides radars. The lakes are only 3000ish acres - chances are if a fish is caught today, it has seen the inside of my net once or twice before. As precocious as it sounds, not saying this to be cocky! I have just spent that much time and caught that many fish here.

Now, if you want to troll the area, I wouldn't be your first choice, as I get way too bored doing it. I know Gregggg and Dave Williamson are trolling machines and really successful doing it! I only do it when we need a break from casting.

Anyway, there are a myriad of great guides in MN that I haven't mentioned here, not because they're not dialed in or wouldn't give you a trip of a lifetime, but I listed guides I have been in a boat with and know how they fish. There is a Minnesota Musky Guides Association HSOforum with contact info. Have a great trip if you ever get to book one with someone. Good luck and good night!

Jerry

[Musky Buck]

The godfather Jerry speaks and there lol hasn't been a comment since.

[Bob Schultz]

If your thinking Vermilion West End---check out Jeremy Johnson---he can be reached at Whispering Winds resort. Not as well known as the others mentioned here but a fish catching machine--Giants to boot---best chance for a fish over 50 inches is with him on the West End of V.

Steve Amundson out of Spring Bay Resort is a really nice guy who fishes the West End-- knows the lake well and catches some big fish.

Jeremy will work harder for you and give you the best value compared to anyone else---I booked for a half day---and he didn't even think about coming in after 8 hours---I had to tell him I wanted to go in---Tired--not in casting shape yet on that trip---he boated a 51.5 the day we fished together.

On the East end check out "Ace" guide service. I also fished with Ace--he loves the lake and is more of an East end guy---he will show you some great spots as well.

All 3 of these guys live on the lake, love the lake, and are really nice guys.

[PropsterII]

"The godfather Jerry speaks and there lol hasn't been a comment since."

I didn't bother, but since he's lost all that weight I think I can take him though

[Fish Head]

Josh Borovsky

He is a world champ and professional muskie guide. He has filmed with some of the most prominent muskie shows on tv and guides all over MN. From the metro to the big v he will put on on fish.

One of the most tuned in fisherman I have ever fished with. He will knock years off the learning curve. I would call in advance if you are looking for a specific date and location

Good luck.

+1 for Josh Borovsky! Lots of good guides mentioned here, but Josh is the best I've ever seen by a long shot.

Good luck & have fun!

[Jmeyers]

Surprised Travis Frank isn't listed here... if you're around the metro he's pretty well known for some big fish

[BEEFEATER]

Every muskie in the DL area has been in dudes net twice!!! Lol. I better go list the importance of my gear in order, in the other thread...