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Articles by Josh Hagemeister
Into the abyss for late-fall walleyes
Sonar-dodging schools stack up on deep flats and hole rims in late fall. (Photo courtesy of Josh Hagemeister) Late fall walleye fishing can range from cranking shallow rocks at night to fishing the “abyss” during the day. We often overlook the deepest holes and flats in many lakes, and they’re full of sonar-dodging walleyes. Even with the best high-powered sonar, walleyes in 45 to 75 feet of water can be difficult to see. But they’re there, on the mucky bottom.
Three tactics to take advantage of this early fall smallmouth bite
Late-summer smallmouth bass begin schooling and feeding-heavily around isolated rock humps, tapering shoreline points and steep breaks. Anglers can find fish with sonar, then tempt them with crankbaits, tubes, jigs, drop-shots or live-ha't rigs matched to depth and mood. (Photo courtesy of dash Hagemeister) It is that special time of the fishing season when summer and fall merge. There’s give and take, compromise, and making deals to make things happen. Sound familiar?
Four hot and easy August fishing trip options for Minnesota anglers
August Fishing. Hot sweaty days, high humidity, and fish that are going crazy everywhere. There are dozens of awesome fishing opportunities this time of the year, but here are four quick-and-easy fishing trips that Minnesotans easily can access. This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. If you are already an OutdoorNews.com subscriber, you can log in here. If you are not and would like to read this and all the other great content OutdoorNews.com has to offer, click here.
Too many bass anglers employ crankbaits as a last resort
I fish every day, mostly for walleyes because of demands from my clients. But during a trip or two each week, I get the request for bass – largemouth or smallmouth. The conversation starts with questions, like “Are we using spinnerbaits? I used them as a kid. Or plastic worms?” My retort usually is: “Whatever works!” This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. If you are already an OutdoorNews.com subscriber, you can log in here.
Here’s what to focus on for finding June walleyes
Outdoor News may earn revenue from products shown on this page by participating in affiliate programs. This comes at no extra cost to you. Click here to learn more. June in the underwater world of the Minnesota walleye screams “transition time!” It’s when the yearly fishing cycle sees schools of walleyes across Minnesota adapt from their spring (April and May) locations to their summer haunts.
A 10-tip countdown to the Minnesota walleye opener
Whoa! It’s finally here: the 2026 Minnesota walleye fishing opener. Every year is different, which makes it fun and challenging. Ice-out dates, daily temperatures, the spawning schedule, and other unforeseen variables can make it difficult to catch a Mother’s Day meal of fresh walleyes. With a few simple tips in your pocket, however, we’ll find success! This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. If you are already an OutdoorNews.com subscriber, you can log in here.
Bringing Kids Back to the Woods and Waters
The busyness that crowds out the outdoors Parents tell me all the time that today’s kids are busier than ever. One comment stuck with me: “We don’t have time for anything anymore. Every season is another sport, another camp, another commitment.” Families that once built their calendars around fishing openers, small‑game seasons, and long summer days on the water now feel pulled in a dozen directions.
Plastics, the New Live Bait for Spring Panfish
Forget the live bait and dig out the small soft plastics for springtime panfish—especially crappies. Don’t get me wrong—live bait is deadly on all accounts when it comes to any fishing; but plastics are far more efficient in putting numbers of fish in the boat quickly. There are multiple downfalls to using live bait for shallow, spring panfish.
Maintaining Healthy Fisheries Requires Adapting to Modern Times
Not long ago, I was an eager-to-learn student of the fishing world. Let’s dial the time machine back to the mid-to-late1980s. It was easy to gather fishing information through countless Saturday morning fishing shows, books, magazines, VHS videos, radio shows etc. And the fishing was good. The fishing pressure was good, too—meaning, angler hours on the water, in my opinion, were minimal compared to now. The use of technology (sonar, navigation) was minimal as well.
Pro Fishing Tip of the Week: Plannin’ for ice-out bassin’
Outdoor News may earn revenue from products shown on this page by participating in affiliate programs. This comes at no extra cost to you. Click here to learn more. Now that catch-and-release bass fishing is forever open in Minnesota, we can start bassin’ the minute the ice melts. Look for bass in any shallow water area that is the warmest in the lake. Start by searching the north side of the lake where you will find warm, sun-beat shorelines in the 1- to 4-foot depth.
Ice-out crappies: Find ’em fast, catch ’em faster
Finally, the ice is going fast in Minnesota (if it isn’t already out), and boat motors will once again cruise across natural lakes in search of ice-out crappie action. Where are they, and what presentations should you use? Here are some early spring slab basics. This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. If you are already an OutdoorNews.com subscriber, you can log in here.
Pro Fishing Tip of the Week: Get the lead out for pressured late-season fish
When I’m forced to ice fish a pressured community fishing spot or body of water full of conditioned/pressured fish, I get the lead out. There is no doubt that the majority of ice anglers these days have been “trained” to think that only tungsten jigs will catch fish. False! This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. If you are already an OutdoorNews.com subscriber, you can log in here.
Pro Fishing Tip of the Week: Consider the technology impact on hot bites
Longtime Minnesota fishing guide Josh Hagemeister discusses what to do to avoid spooking fish with your electronics. (Contributed photo) With the explosion in fishing electronics these days as far as increased power and electronic frequency, one has to wonder about its negative effects on the fish. Are the fish sensitive to the electronics we use? This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. If you are already an OutdoorNews.com subscriber, you can log in here.
Pro Fishing Tip of the Week: Start scouting for fall perch bite
Slightly delayed by warm weather, the fall perch bite has started and will be full swing in a few days or so – to a degree that can rival the famous Devils Lake winter perch bite in North Dakota. This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. If you are already an OutdoorNews.com subscriber, you can log in here. If you are not and would like to read this and all the other great content OutdoorNews.com has to offer, click here.
Minnesota's Pro Fishing Tip of the Week: The art of fishing ‘community’ hot spots
When I’m forced to ice fish a pressured community fishing spot or a body of water full of conditioned/pressured fish, I get the lead out. There is no doubt that the majority of ice anglers these days have been “trained” to think that only tungsten jigs will catch fish. This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. If you are already an OutdoorNews.com subscriber, you can log in here.
Pro Fishing Tip of the Week: Scout now for ice-fishing hot spots
Now, in late fall, is the time I start ice fishing … despite no ice. Anglers should be out now, scouting for first-ice hot spots. Remember last December? No ice, but I was “ice fishing” in my boat in the same areas where I should have had fish house rentals. This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. If you are already an OutdoorNews.com subscriber, you can log in here.
Minnesota's Pro Fishing Tip of the Week: Shake, rattle, and roll in more walleyes!
Ramp up your live-bait rig, jig, or spinner rig and boat more walleyes by using more sound. It takes only a second to add a “rattle bead” to any live-bait rig (just above the hook) or a clip-on style to a jig. This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. If you are already an OutdoorNews.com subscriber, you can log in here. If you are not and would like to read this and all the other great content OutdoorNews.com has to offer, click here.
Minnesota's Pro Fishing Tip of the Week: Use nightcrawlers instead of minnows this summer
You can store up to 20 dozen crawlers that will stay healthy and happy all day in the ice water. It also helps to keep your boat clean. This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. If you are already an OutdoorNews.com subscriber, you can log in here. If you are not and would like to read this and all the other great content OutdoorNews.com has to offer, click here.
Minnesota Pro Fishing Tip of the Week: Soft landings don't spook panfish
It’s no secret where crappies and bluegills are located during the spring, so I’m not going to waste my time mentioning it. This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. If you are already an OutdoorNews.com subscriber, you can log in here. If you are not and would like to read this and all the other great content OutdoorNews.com has to offer, click here.
Minnesota's Pro Fishing Tip of the Week: Pressured fish? Get the lead out
When I’m forced to ice fish within a pressured community fishing spot or on a body of water full of conditioned/pressured fish, I get the lead out. There is no doubt that most ice anglers these days have been trained to think that only tungsten jigs will catch fish. False! I purposefully use lead baits because of the drop rates, size profiles, and ease of use on light line. This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com.
Spoon-Fed Panfish Through the Ice
Spoon-Fed Panfish Through the Ice I fish aggressively; it doesn’t matter whether it’s spring, summer, fall or now—winter! As a fishing guide I really do not have time to finesse anything under the ice. I do not have the luxury of an 8-hour tournament day to finesse 5 to 10 big fish. Don’t get me wrong I like catching big fish, too, but I need action all day to keep me interested. And those are the things that most clients or ice anglers want as well.
Minnesota's Pro Tip of the Week: Fall perch bite leads to big size, numbers
The fall perch bite will be full swing in a week or so to a degree that it can rival the famous Devils Lake winter perch bite. The size and numbers of perch are high if you know where to find them. This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. If you are already an OutdoorNews.com subscriber, you can log in here. If you are not and would like to read this and all the other great content OutdoorNews.com has to offer, click here.
Pro Tip of the Week: Fishing shallow-water panfish
This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. If you are already an OutdoorNews.com subscriber, you can log in here. If you are not and would like to read this and all the other great content OutdoorNews.com has to offer, click here
Pro Fishing Tip of the Week: Electronics aren’t always needed
With the explosion in fishing electronics these days, including increased power and electronic frequency, one has to wonder about its negative effects on the fish. Especially while ice fishing, there is no doubt in my mind (including the results of my not-so-scientific experiments) that at certain times, fish are sensitive to the electronics being used. Fish-finder units can have a more mild effect than some of the new fish-vision technology, so they don’t concern me as much.
Go Small in the Fall for More Walleyes!
By Josh Hagemeister | on October 22, 2021 The old saying is “go big in the Fall” for big fish. Well, that’s kinda true. Most do not have the guts to admit it– going small will catch you a ton more walleyes in the Fall—and that’s’ what anglers want. Pay attention Mille Lacs folks. The fact is, people come to Minnesota to catch and eat walleyes.
Strike Gold Now! September Perch Fishing 101 | Outdoors Weekly
By Josh Hagemeister | on September 07, 2021 The Fall perch bite can be fantastic! Yes, I’m referring to the same perch folks will drive a thousand miles to catch a bucket of tasty yellow perch through an ice hole. Yes, I’m talking about the same fish that 30 years ago an angler would swear about if they caught a perch while walleye fishing. The fact is, there is nothing better than a hot Fall perch bite—and it’s fairly simple to do! Just how simple?
Mid-Summer Blitz! 5 Ways To Catch More August Fish
August is the instigator of awesome mid-summer fishing. The dog days of summer are a myth. Someone who had a dog started this “fake news” long ago—lol. In reality, the fishing this time of the year is at its peak—for all species of fish. And why not? As the water temps boil so do the metabolisms of the fish– which means they burn more calories, which means they eat more, which means we catch more. See what I mean? The problem is what to write about, so I have decided to do an August sampler.
10 tips for Opening Day Walleye Success
By Josh Hagemeister | on May 11, 2021 Fish away from the crowds. Don’t be a follower—be original. Try small, shallow, “no-name”, warm lakes—especially this year (drive south?) Don’t forget the river! Stick to live bait—small/medium shiner minnows, small/medium leeches. 1/16-1/8 oz. jigs or long snelled live bait rigs. Use stinger hooks for the infamous cold water “short hits”.
3 Simple Tips To Increase Your Bobber Fishing Success
Perhaps one of the most utilized and familiar tactics used by today’s modern angler is that of the bobber and minnow combination—especially in the Spring panfish arena. As simple as it sounds, there are three key factors that will help you put more fish in the bucket when using bobbers as your primary presentation.
Big Fish! Big Fun! Bass Through The Ice!
Catching Bass on a tip –up can be an effective ice fishing presentation. Photo: Minnesota Fishing Guide Service Direct from Winnipeg– where largemouth are scarce, Rhonda came to Minnesota to catch largemouth bass through the ice. You would be shocked how well a surface bait works for largemouth bass when a lake is frozen–just kidding! However, you may be surprised just how aggressive largemouth bass are under the ice all winter long! Finding and catching them is fairly easy as well.
Is the affordability or mobility of ice fishing being threatened?
In 1989, when I was 18 yrs. old I had been ice fishing already for about 13 yrs. I owned all of my own ice fishing equipment which I had purchased piece by piece on a $3.35 minimum wage job. A hand auger ($25), a five gallon bucket (free), a homemade sled ($35), 4 jiggle sticks ($20), two tip-ups ($15), Green Box flasher ($120).
November Stealth Brings Ice Fishing Wealth: Finding Ice Fishing Hotspots now!
By Josh Hagemeister | on November 01, 2020 I started gathering ice fishing intel in September, but some of the best intel on where I begin my ice fishing season is happening now—in November. The boat is never put away until late November or even early December — especially now a days with our warm drawn out Fall weather. Stuck between pheasant hunting trips and late season guide trips—I’m looking for the best early season ice fishing spots with my boat and sonar.
Go Small in the Fall for More Walleyes
By Josh Hagemeister | on October 10, 2020 The old saying is “go big in the Fall” for big fish. Well, that’s kinda true. Most do not have the guts to admit it – going small will catch you a ton more walleyes in the Fall – and that’s’ what anglers want. Pay attention Mille Lacs folks. The fact is, people come to Minnesota to catch and eat walleyes.
Fast N Easy Mid-Summer Crappies
It’s a hot mid-August afternoon and I’m scheduled to go crappie fishing on a North Central Minnesota lake. A great walleye fishing lake which also has a good population of nice crappies—which are easy peasy to catch all Spring, — as they are for most anglers. But once summer roles around, most anglers can have problems finding crappies until Fall or even first ice.
Mid-Summer Blitz!
By Josh Hagemeister | on July 13, 2020 5 Ways To Catch More Summer Fish July and August are in my opinion the instigators of awesome mid-summer fishing. The dog days of summer are a myth. Someone who had a dog started this “fake news” long ago—lol. In reality, the fishing this time of the year is at its peak—for all species of fish. And why not? As the water temps boil so do the metabolisms of the fish– which means they burn more calories, which means they eat more, which means we catch more.
Jigging 101. Just in Time for Summer!
By Josh Hagemeister | on June 12, 2020 “Whatchya catch ‘em on?” A jig? Good chance. The jig is perhaps the most versatile method of presenting either live or artificial bait to help catch just about anything that swims. I’m talking shark, wahoo, barracuda, permit, bass, sunfish, crappie, walleye, northern pike, muskie, trout, perch…..you get the drift, and yes I’ve caught them all on a lead head jig of some kind! The funny thing is, most anglers just do not understand the basics of jigging.
May Walleyes: Quick and Easy | Outdoors Weekly
Transition time. May in the underwater world of the Minnesota walleye screams “transition time”! It’s that time of the yearly fishing cycle when various schools of walleyes though out Minnesota are adapting from their Spring spawning locations to their late Spring feeding locations. And depending on where your next big fishing adventure is scheduled, there can be multiple patterns or strategies to pay attention too in order to be successful.
Banner 2020 Fishing Season Dead Ahead!
We are headed towards a great open water 2020 season for a couple of reasons starting with this Spring! Get ready folks, more (and bigger) fish are going to be caught this summer than ever before! The overall fish population should be at higher than average levels on most lakes throughout the state ( I might know of a few of these soon to be honey holes!) I think we are on the upside of the “cycle”.
Plastics, the New Live Bait for Spring Panfish
By Josh Hagemeister | on March 09, 2020 Forget the live bait and dig out the small soft plastics for Spring time panfish—especially crappies. Don’t get me wrong, live bait is deadly on all accounts when it comes to any fishing, but plastics are far more efficient in putting numbers of fish in the boat quickly. There are multiple downfalls to using live bait for shallow spring panfish.
40 Helpful Tips on how to "Summerize" your Ice Fishing Gear!
Now that the ice season is basically over, the transition from winter gear to summer gear is in full swing! So here are a bunch of “summerizing” tips related to ice gear storage. These are not organized—kinda like most of us! LOL. Disclaimer: I am not a mechanic, just a fishing guide on a budget that has to maintain a ton of stuff—so I’ve learned a few things over the years that have worked for me—so on that note–use these tips at your own risk! LOL.
The Most Important Ice Fishing Tip Ever!
Fresh live bait is perhaps the most crucial factor next to location when fishing through the ice. Fish attracting and triggering is the job of your presentation combined with fresh live bait. So ya plan a huge ice fishing trip with a bunch of your buddies, planning to fish for 2-3 days, driving 400 miles to come to Minnesota with 3 trucks pulling trailers, ATV’s, portables, gear, etc. etc. —the whole nine yards.
Shallow Water Basics
Throughout the last 32 years of guiding there is still one thing I’ve noticed the typical angler ignores whether it’s open water or frozen water—shallow water fishing opportunities. Why? I’m not sure, but my guess is that it can be a little more tricky to fish shallow water areas full of weeds. My advice is change your mid-winter fishing “rut” from “deep holes” to “shallow weeds”. Baby fish need cover to hide to survive. Baby fish need food and oxygen.
Ice Jiggin' Walleyes, Choosing The Right Bait!
By Josh Hagemeister | on December 01, 2019 Back in the day, the go to ice jigging bait for walleyes was a silver Swedish Pimple. The other option was a Kastmaster. Today, the shelves at the local bait shop are decorated with hundreds of icy fish enticing vertical jigging options geared towards helping you catch the big one. For many ice anglers, the choice of what to drop down the hole can be quite overwhelming.
Panfish Pan-de-mo-ni-um
Fish head activated! Babbling thoughts about ice fishing panfish translated to paper. Unorganized? Yes. Informative? Maybe. No exceptions? Never, there is always an exception. There is no such thing as a “first ice” feeding frenzy.
October perch fishing 101
Strike Gold Now! By Josh Hagemeister | on October 03, 2019 The Fall perch bite can be fantastic! Yes, I’m referring to the same perch folks will drive a thousand miles to catch a bucket of tasty yellow perch through an ice hole. Yes, I’m talking about the same fish that 30 years ago an angler would swear about if they caught a perch while walleye fishing. The fact is, there is nothing better than a hot Fall perch bite—and it’s fairly simple to do! Just how simple?
Tips & Tactics | Outdoors Weekly
Toothy Fish in the Fall By Bob Jensen | on September 22, 2019 Fall arrives in different places at different times, but when it gets to northern pike and musky country, anglers who like to chase these top-line predators know that the odds for getting bit are good, and chances are as good as they get for a trophy.
Fishing | Outdoors Weekly
Toothy Fish in the Fall By Bob Jensen | on September 22, 2019 Fall arrives in different places at different times, but when it gets to northern pike and musky country, anglers who like to chase these top-line predators know that the odds for getting bit are good, and chances are as good as they get for a trophy.
Guide Tip Video: End-of-the-Season Boat Cleaning Made Easy | OutdoorHub
Perhaps you’re getting ready to store your boat for fall and winter and change your outdoor focus from walleyes to whitetails. Or maybe you’re like me and enjoy fishing open water until newly formed ice at the public access prevents you from launching your boat. Whatever the case, chances are good that hardwater stains from this spring and summer have left your boat looking less than 100 percent. The good news is it’s easy and inexpensive to bring back the shine to your rig.
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