Our Guides
Our guides bring over 650 combined years of customer service in the fishing industry to the waters of Rainy Lake, Minnesota. They all share a high dedication to professionalism, skill, and consistency.
Jon Balaski
Greenhead Guide Service
I have been a licensed fishing guide on Rainy Lakesince the early age of eighteen. Now, at twenty-nine I love the job more than ever. Even as a young boy I wanted to be a fishing guide. Simply put, I love fishing. Even more, I love guiding...
Billy Dougherty
Rainy Lake Houseboats
I was inducted to the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary angler on March 23, 2018. My fishing career began at the famous Kettle Falls Hotel in 1965, learning under my uncle Mike Williams. I guided full time there through 1975, then weekends and vacations through the fall...
John Gushulak
Gator Charters
I began guiding on Rainy lake in the mid-1960's out of Rainy Lake Lodge and later Island View Lodge. Those were the days of no electronics and I learned the lake using paper charts. I learned the fishing spots from veteran guides...
Bruce Jean
Rainy Lake Guiding
I was born and raised on Rainy Lake. A twenty-two year teacher turned principal, fishing is in my blood. I’m a second generation guide, having begun fishing when I was five under the tutelage of my father, Ron Jean. For the last twenty-five years ...
Scott Jean
Rainy Lake Guiding
Born and raised in the borderland, I started fishing Rainy Lake in 1973. I have been guiding periodically with the family business - Rainy Lake Guiding, since 1998. As a fifth grade teacher for the last thirty-one years...
Jim Knapp (Retired)
Cap't Jim Guide Service
I spent my summers growing up on Rainy Lake a few miles from the Rainy Lake Houseboat base. I graduated from International Falls High School and went on to college where I played hockey for the University of MN-Duluth Bulldogs. I have...
Mike Lessard
Onedoggie's Guide Service
I started guiding in 1979. I learned the ropes from my Father, Legendary Guide Butch Lessard. In 2006, I had the honor of guiding Governor Tim Pawlenty. I have been guiding my entire life except for the five years I served in the United States Coast Guard...
Willie Lyon
My passion for fishing and the outdoors began on Namakan Lake, connected to the East end of Rainy Lake at Kettle Falls where my family has had a cabin for almost 25 years. I learned to drive a 9.9hp Johnson tiller at the age of 8 and was hooked ever since. I started working at the thunderbird lodge on Rainy Lake during the summers...
Ryan Schmidt
Border Country Outdoor Adventures
I grew up fishing on Rainy Lake and spending summers at my Grandparents cabin on the East end of Dry Weed Island. Ever since I was a young kid, I loved fishing, exploring, and being on Rainy Lake. I started working on Rainy Lake at the age of 14 as a dock boy for Rainy Lake Houseboats...
Tony Snyder
Voyage North Guide Service
I have been fishing the lakes of Voyageurs National Park since 1978. My family bought a resort on Lake Kabetogama in 1984. In 1986, I started guiding part time and spent almost all of my free time on the lakes. I served the citizens of MN as a Minnesota State Trooper ...
Norm Wood
Rainy Lake Fishing Adventures
Since the early age of nine and spending summers at our family cabin on Rainy Lake I have been captivated by fishing and water. I fished nearly everything Rainy had to offer in those years until at the age of fourteen I caught my first musky. Musky Fever took a strong...
Wood Woods
Woody's Fairly Reliable Guiding Service
Fourty-five years ago I had my very first guide trip with Senator Bob "The Old Trapper" Lessard aboard his boat "The Viking." As the years passed I guided much with my legendary uncle Butch "Top Dog" Lessard and for all the resorts of which many are no longer in existence...
Tanner Wood
Rainy Lake Fishing Adventures
I grew up fishing on Rainy Lake at my family's cabin on the Canadian side of the lake. I started to learn the lake at 10 years old out of a 16 ft. boat with a 8hp motor. During the summers I have worked at Rainy Lake Houseboats since I was 16 years old as dock staff...
Sam Dougherty
Rainy Lake Angling
Growing up, my family would come up to Rainy Lake a couple of times each summer to visit our grandparents. By the age of 6 I was going fishing with my Dad and Grandpa - I've been hooked ever since! I grew up in Green Bay, WI, played JR. hockey....
Peter Franz
Yellow Cabin Guiding
My family owns a cabin on Rainy Lake and I have been spending my summers there since I was born. Saturday and Sundays were often spent fishing with my Dad. I have developed a passion for guiding and have been fortunate to have great mentors along the....
Richard Lunzer
Patriot Outdoors, LLC.
I have been fishing for over 50 years. My career in the military has enabled me to fish in many bodies of water. I am always learning and enjoying many styles of fishing. Even though I am on of the new guides.....
Jason Ellman
Northern Water Excursions, LLC.
Being a Full-Time guide and U.S.C.G. approved instructor. I've been told that it's easy to see the passion I have for being on the water. Fishing. Tours. Hiking. and Shuttle Services in Voyaguers National Park.......