I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters

Lake Superior’s name is quite fitting when it comes to fishing, it’s one of the best freshwater fishing grounds in the world, both in size as well as the quality of the fight that the fish provide. The aptly named I’d Rather Be Fishing Charters is keen on showing you exactly why this reputation exists, so join them for an exciting lake adventure!

You will fish from their 32’ flybridge boat, the “Rendezvous II,” manufactured by Trojan. She’s powered by twin Chevy engines, each providing 225 HP of thrust – that allows her to develop a maximum cruising speed of 23 knots, more than respectable for a boat her size on this great lake. She can hold up to 6 anglers fishing at the same time in comfort. The boat was originally built in 1982 and restored in 2015; you get the best of both worlds, all the modern amenities you may wish for combined with the high quality of the boat’s build.

Captain Nathan Fondness will be your guide on this fishing charter. He’ll take you after a variety of local species, such as the Pike, Walleye, Musky, Chinook, and Coho Salmon, as well as the Brown, Lake, and Steelhead Trouts. Light tackle is used exclusively.

Capt. Nathan will take you fishing up to 15 miles offshore, so you should bring adequate clothing. There’s no minimum age for kids on board of I’d Rather Be Fishing Charters. Clients are advised to also bring polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, and a waterproof camera. The Rendezvous II is disabled accessible, but the captain asks customers to contact him prior to arriving to work out the details.

If the maximum allowed amount of lake trout is caught, the trip may end earlier as the captain strives to practice ethical fishing and protect wildlife. Once you’ve reached the limit for this species, you’d have to hook many other lake trouts you won’t be able to keep in hopes of catching another species. The rest of the trip can be spent trolling around or sightseeing, or it may conclude earlier; in both cases, the entire balance will be due.



Trip availability and prices

  • Private trip
    Midweek half day special
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 14 - Jun 20 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun)
    Price for up to 4 persons
    US $475
    Save on midweek fiahing trips!
    Targeted fish
    Walleye
    Walleye
    Lake Trout
    Lake Trout
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Brown Trout
    Brown Trout
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
  • Private trip
    Midweek Half Day Special
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
    Seasonal trip May 13 - Jun 20 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun)
    Price for up to 4 persons
    US $475
    Save money and fish midweek!
    Targeted fish
    Walleye
    Walleye
    Lake Trout
    Lake Trout
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
    Brown Trout
    Brown Trout
    Salmon (Chinook)
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon (Coho)
    Coho Salmon
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 5:45 AM
    Seasonal trip May 1 - Oct 1 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun)
    Price for up to 4 persons
    US $600
    If you're itching for some excellent lake fishing, Lake Superior is the place for you. This trip will take you on a morning adventure targeting a variety of species such as Chinook and Coho Salmon, various Trouts, Muskies, Pikes, Walleyes, and other species. All required equipment is provided.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 12:20 PM
    Seasonal trip May 1 - Oct 1 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun)
    Price for up to 4 persons
    US $600
    If you're in the mood to burn some calories after brunch, this afternoon trip is perfect for you. You'll target a variety of exciting local species like Brown, Rainbow, and Lake Trouts, Muskies, Salmons, Walleyes, Pikes, and others you may run into. The charter will supply you with all necessary equipment.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 5:45 AM
    Seasonal trip May 1 - Oct 1 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun)
    Price for up to 4 persons
    US $1,000
    If you can't get enough fishing done in a couple of hours, why not double down? This trip will take you fishing for the whole day to a variety of fishing spots at Lake Superior. The species you will target are Muskies, various Trouts, Chinook and Coho Salmons, Walleyes, Pikes, and others.
There are 5 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 99 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (115)
Good experience
September fishing trip
September fishing trip
+112
Angler rating
86
6
3
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
94%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
93%
Appropriate for children
96%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
93%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 99 reviews
Phillip S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

July fishing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on July 8, 2024
We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful lake. Our family of 5 caught our first salmon and trout! Our captain...
Phillip S. recommends I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters
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Phillip S. recommends I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters
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Joe Y.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Captain and a Successful Trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on July 29, 2024
Nathan made the trip really enjoyable. He talked through every step and technique as soon as we hit the lake, and when there...
Joe Y. recommends I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters
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Joe Y. recommends I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters
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Brandon K.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Amazing Trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on July 14, 2024
Rob was a professional, charismatic, energetic, kind guide. He was respectful to the wife and I. We both had a blast and he...
Brandon K. recommends I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters
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Brandon K. recommends I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters
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Ruth W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Grinning like a fool!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on June 30, 2024
Captain Nate warned us that the fish were not biting well, bur everybody in our party caught at least one! We girls outfitted...
Ruth W. recommends I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters
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Ruth W. recommends I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters
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Susan M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on July 26, 2024
Nathan was Great! This was a trip I took my nephews on for a Christmas present and We are actually already booking a second...
Susan M. recommends I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters
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Susan M. recommends I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters
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FAQs about I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters

I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $475 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - Midweek half day special (5 hours)
  • US $475 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - Midweek Half Day Special (5 hours)
  • US $600 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip (AM) (5 hours)
  • US $600 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip (PM) (5 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - Full Day Trip (8 hours)

When you book a trip with I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Bed
  • Flybridge
  • Kitchen
  • Refrigerator
  • Outriggers
  • Ice Box
  • Radar

Trips booked with I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • First Mate (Tips are welcome)

I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Lake Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing (up to 15 miles)

I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing (Electric reels available)
  • Trolling

Top targeted fish species with I'd Rather Be Fishing Charters include:
  • Brown Trout
  • Lake Trout
  • Muskellunge (Musky)
  • Pike (Northern)
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Coho)
  • Walleye

Your captain

Nathan Fodness
Duluth, Minnesota, United States
ID & license verified
99 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since April 2018
Angler's Choice
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
Captain Nathan Fodness didn't start out as most captains did, living on the sea. Instead, he grew up inland and only discovered his extreme passion for fishing in his early 20's. As he continued fishing more and more, he discovered he would do this professionally and decided to follow his dream. Capt. Nathan's clients are mostly families with children and he's very excited about teaching kids the joys of angling every time they come on board his charter.

The fish you can target

Brown Trout Brown Trout
Lake Trout Lake Trout
Muskellunge (Musky) Muskellunge (Musky)
Pike (Northern) Northern Pike

What the boat is like

Boat Image
Boat category
Sportfishing boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
32 ft
Year built
1990
Boat manufacturer
Tiara
Boat type
Sportfishing

Engine model
Chevrolet
Powered by
2 x 350HP
Max cruising speed
30 knots

Which types of fishing are offered

Lake Fishing
Offshore Fishing
up to 15 miles

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Electric reels available
Trolling

Which amenities are available onboard

Toilet
GPS
Fishfinder
Bed
Flybridge
Kitchen

What’s included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
First Mate
Tips are welcome

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 14 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
no min. age, life jackets supplied
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed
Disabled Accessible
Please contact for additional info

How you can pay

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.

What’s biting in Duluth right now

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