Northern Drift Outfitters fishing reports
Welcome to the Northern Drift Outfitters fishing reports page. Here will do our best to post up to date fishing reports for fishing conditions in northern Minnesota. As experienced guides our time on the water allows us to have our finger on the pulse of current conditions. If you would like to spend a day with us on the water or learn more, please contact us.
Filter posts by subject —
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.
August and Fall Horizons
As fall starts to slowly make her presence felt the fishing in northern Minnesota stays hot. Whether it’s bluegills sipping poppers on Lake Pokegama, smallies smashing streamers in the rivers, or the phenomenal multi species days on Lake Winnibigoshish and surrounding lakes, there is certainly fun to be had all across the great North.
One chase I’m particularly excited about heading into fall is large toothies (northern pike and musky) with the fly rod. We have already started to run into more as water temps start to shift back down a bit. The lazy days of summer seem to be fleeting slowly, while overnight lows help the big bass find their zone. Drop us a line if fly fishing (or spin gear) for aggressive pike and musky sounds enjoyable.
I always tell people, there are no guarantees in fishing, but putting the effort in to find a great experience is a necessary step towards learning more. Getting outside and chasing it is the important part.
Summer Swing
The early June heat wave we are experiencing has brought on the mid summer patterns early for us. Topwater for bass has been consistent and entertaining. It’s so much fun knowing that if you land a fly in certain spots, it will get destroyed by a bass waiting to ambush.
2021 Minnesota Opener
Our 2021 Minnesota season is off to a hot start. Stable weather patterns finally brought warm temps to the north woods and the fish were ready to eat. Client Taylor joined Tanner for 2 days floating the river, and went from never casting a fly rod to tangling with quality sized bass on the streamer. Nice work Taylor! The river fishing will only get better from here on out!
Early Season Exploring
Collin, Tanner and fishing buddy Matt checked out Wisconsin’s inland year round catch and release bass season. Cold seasons like early spring and fall, often have short bite windows, so make sure to have those strip sets ready to go! Here is Matt with a solid pre-spawn football that couldn’t resist a Nightmare Flies big byrd streamer.