Summer Fishing report

Flyfishing for Bass

Somehow, the waiting game of winter quickly transitions to summer, flying by at a fast pace. July is already on the horizon, but good times are being had with new and old friends.

Bass on fly has been the name of the game for Tanner and Collin. Clients are having a great time targeting smallmouth bass tight to cover with flies. Despite less than the normal snowfall, the rivers of Northern Minnesota are in great shape thanks to regular summer rains.


We have a variety of openings left this summer. Whether it’s on the lake with Captain Jeff Johnson, or fly fishing for smallies on the river with Tanner Stofferahn or Collin Cody, we take pride in providing a great experience on the water.

Snowmobile Build

Just a quick follow-up to yesterday’s post. If you have any questions about the accessories, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jeff, an experienced fishing guide on Lake Winnie, at 218-259-8893.

The sled is a Skidoo Tundra 600 Ace, and it’s an absolute beast. The low-end torque on this thing is perfect for getting out of a tough spot when you need it most.

Now, let’s talk accessories. Starting at the front, you’ll find a Digger auger mount on the front bumper, and a Helix 10 mounted to the handlebar riser with a RAM mount. There's also a custom battery box on the opposite side of the risers, keeping everything powered up. The Helix 10 is Mega Live ready, which is a huge bonus for fishing.

As we move toward the back, the sled is equipped with a dry box to haul your gear and tackle, plus it holds the pole system for Mega Live. Another great addition is the scratchers mounted under the track.

This sled will be up for sale starting in March. If you’ve got any questions, feel free to reach out!

Gearing Up For Winter

Having the right gear and accessories is a must when heading out on the lakes in Northern Minnesota. Jeff Johnson, an experienced fishing guide on Lake Winnie, has spent years fine-tuning his setup to handle the harsh winters and the challenge of sometimes elusive fish. With fish behavior and movements changing rapidly, staying mobile on the ice has never been more important.

Jeff has honed his skills guiding anglers on Lake Winnie, targeting both perch and walleye. A well-equipped machine can turn a tough day on the ice into a successful one. Fishing guides on Lake Winnie need to stay mobile and constantly find fish for their customers, and Jeff’s setup is designed with that in mind.

Below, you'll get a glimpse of Jeff’s rig for the 2024-25 winter ice fishing season. Stay tuned for more details on the specifics of this build tomorrow.

Lake Winnie and Cutfoot Sioux

The Northern Drift Outfitters crew has been targeting jumbo perch on Lake Winnibigoshish and Cutfoot Sioux over the past few days. Both lakes are holding large schools of perch, and staying mobile has been key to success. Don’t give up on a hole just because you've caught a few small ones—the bigger fish are still out there. The target depth range has been between 8 and 12 feet. Starting this weekend, the focus will shift to walleyes.

If you're looking for a high-quality guided fishing trip on Lake Winnibigoshish (aka Lake Winnie), contact Jeff Johnson of Northern Drift Outfitters. Experience the best of guided fishing trips on Lake Winnie and make your next fishing adventure unforgettable! If you want an update on current ice conditions, please reach out to Captain Jeff at 218-259-8893.

Lake Winnie Fishing Report

Lake Winnie’s ice conditions are shaping up nicely for a great ice fishing season. Today’s report comes from the Tamarack Bay area, where large schools of perch are being found in depths of 8-12 feet. There’s plenty of action, with a good number of larger perch in the 10-12 inch range. Fourwheelers, Atvs, and snowmobiles were operating all around the bay. Ice conditions due vary, so make sure you check ice conditions as you go. . Photo courtesy of Lake Winnie ice fishing guide, Captain Jeff Johnson.

Fly Fish Minnesota

Our fly fishing guide, Tanner Stofferahn, was the featured angler in the Smallmouth Bass segment of “Fly Fish Minnesota” by Bluff Line Media.

Enjoy this incredibly well-done feature on the fly fishing opportunities Minnesota has to offer. If you are interested in spending a day chasing smallmouth bass on the fly, please contact Tanner.