There’s a fish with your name on it in St. Paul, and David Holmes Guiding will help you catch it! Having logged many hours on these tides, Captain David can tell you all about the local fishery.

Fishing will take place on either the Upper St. Croix River or the Upper Mississippi River, where you’ll target Musky, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Sturgeon, and more. On these trips, it’s common to do both fly fishing and conventional tackle. Some fish you catch are yours to take, provided they’re legal to keep, while some species are catch-and-release. Catch cleaning is included so that you can take your fish home without hassle. How’s that for fresh seafood?

Your day begins aboard a 17’ Jet boat with room for 3 passengers. A jet boat will allow you to cover more water and fish effectively and efficiently! You’ll find rods, reels, and tackle waiting for you, as well as lures and fly fishing gear. Live bait is on offer, but it’s good to ask about this, so you know if you’ll be catching it yourself.

Before coming aboard, you’ll need to buy a local fishing license for everyone in your group. This information is usually available online, or you can ask the captain. Trips with David Holmes Guiding are kid-friendly. Bringing snacks, drinks, sunscreen (non-spray), and sunglasses is never a bad idea. Alcohol is allowed in moderation.

Fantastic fishing and beautiful scenery are waiting for you. So make it happen with David Holmes Guiding!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Smallmouth
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $350
    The 4-hour Smallmouth trip is great for those looking to get a taste of what our fishery is like. These trips can be scheduled in the morning or evening.
    Targeted fish
    Bass (Smallmouth)
    Smallmouth Bass
  • Private trip
    6hr smallmouth
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $525
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip – Smallmouth
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $550
    Smallmouth bass fishing trips are a fantastic option for anglers of any skill level. With both fly and conventional tackle, fishing can range from explosive topwater fishing to finesse soft plastics. Fishing will primarily be focused on the Upper Mississippi River.
    Targeted fish
    Bass (Smallmouth)
    Smallmouth Bass
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip – Musky
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $600
    Musky trips can be catered to meet any skill level, although previous experience is highly recommended. Fishing styles range from striping large flies, burning bucktails, dragging suckers, and pulling rubber baits in the fall. Prime time is September through November, although summer can offer some fantastic fishing! Fishing will take place on either the Upper St. Croix River or the Upper Mississippi River.
    Targeted fish
    Muskellunge (Musky)
    Muskellunge (Musky)
  • Private trip
    Extended Full Day Trip – Musky
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    12 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $900
    Not for the faint of heart, these 12-hour trips are designed to hit every possible feeding window during the day, giving the anglers the best possible chance at boating a fish of a lifetime. Expect to be on the water before sunrise and off the water after sunset.
    Targeted fish
    Muskellunge (Musky)
    Muskellunge (Musky)

FAQs about David Holmes Guiding LLC

David Holmes Guiding LLC offers the following trips to customers:
  • $350 per group, additional $75 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip – Smallmouth (4 hours)
  • $450 per group, additional $75 per person after 1 guest - 6hr smallmouth (6 hours)
  • $550 per group, additional $75 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip – Smallmouth (8 hours)
  • $600 per group, additional $75 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip – Musky (8 hours)
  • $900 per group - Extended Full Day Trip – Musky (12 hours)

When you book a trip with David Holmes Guiding LLC, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Wireless Trolling Motor

Trips booked with David Holmes Guiding LLC include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Fly Fishing Equipment

David Holmes Guiding LLC offers the following type of fishing:
  • River Fishing

David Holmes Guiding LLC offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Spinning
  • Fly Fishing

Top targeted fish species with David Holmes Guiding LLC include:
  • Bass (Smallmouth)
  • Muskellunge (Musky)
  • Pike (Northern)
  • Sturgeon
  • Walleye

Meet the Captain

David Holmes
Otsego, Minnesota, United States
ID & license verified
4 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since March 2023
Born in raised in the Upper Midwest, I have a deep passion for fishing and showing people the incredible fishing our rivers offer! I run jet boats to maximize time spent on the water, and I am always looking for the next best bite!

About this listing

Targeted species

Bass (Smallmouth) Smallmouth Bass
Muskellunge (Musky) Muskellunge (Musky)
Pike (Northern) Northern Pike
Sturgeon Sturgeon

Boat specs

Alumacraft (Jet boat) originally built in 2017. Powered by a 90HP Yamaha engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 35 knots.

Length
17 ft
Capacity
3 persons

Types of fishing

River Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Spinning
Fly Fishing

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Wireless Trolling Motor

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Fly Fishing Equipment

Cancellation policy

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.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 15% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 15% 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
PayPal
Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3.5% charge will apply.

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 4 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photo by reviewers (1)
Gift to son-in-law
Angler rating
4
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
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Showing:
4 of 4 reviews
Bill F.
Plymouth, MN
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Gift to son-in-law

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip – Smallmouth on September 3, 2023
My son-in-law is new to fishing but always show an interest.  So for his 30th I gave him a day on the water with Dave.  He...
Bill F. recommends David Holmes Guiding LLC
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Bill F. recommends David Holmes Guiding LLC
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Shane W.
Jacksonville, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Smallmouth Trip

VERIFIED   6hr smallmouth on July 30, 2023
I had a great time with Captain David. He was extremely knowledgeable and gave great advice. We were consistently catching...
Shane W. recommends David Holmes Guiding LLC
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Shane W. recommends David Holmes Guiding LLC
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Lindsey R.
Rogers, MN
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip – Smallmouth on July 15, 2023
Great time.  Highly recommend!
Lindsey R. recommends David Holmes Guiding LLC
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Lindsey R. recommends David Holmes Guiding LLC
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Dan G.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall
Dan G. recommends David Holmes Guiding LLC
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Dan G. recommends David Holmes Guiding LLC
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