Northern Hoosier Outdoors
+36Greetings fellow fishermen! Welcome to NHO!
No matter your level of experience in fishing, we are glad to have you here and ready to take you on your next fishing adventure! That cooler air is getting us excited and ready for this upcoming ice fishing season, we hope you join us this winter to catch fish, build relationships, gain knowledge, and above all else, have FUN!
I’m your captain, Brandon Swartz, but you can call me, “Northern” if you like, a lot of folks do. Ice fishing trips are based on ice and weather conditions. When the charter is scheduled, I will get in contact with the customer and go over current ice conditions close to the date of the scheduled outing. If conditions don’t allow for safe travels and activities, we can attempt to reschedule to get you on the fish and enjoy your time out on the ice safely at a different date. Weather changes fast in Minnesota, and we do our best to monitor it as it changes.
We fish for a variety of Minnesota’s species. Typical outings we catch: Panfish (Sunfish, Crappies, Perch) Bass, Pike, and Walleye. Occasionally, a Musky has been fought and sometimes caught. All rods, tip-ups, tackle, and bait are included, guests are required to have a valid fishing license and dress in layers, with warm socks and boots (feet are first to get cold standing on ice) and winter coats, warm hats, and gloves. CAPTAIN RESERVES RIGHT TO DENY GUESTS WHO COME ILL PREPARED, we take frostbite seriously!
When outside using tip-ups or traveling to the spot, warm winter gear is a must. Inside the ice house, you will be able to remove layers and enjoy a warm and comfortable temperature to catch fish and enjoy snacks. OCCASIONALLY, and at captain’s discretion, warm cooked meals, snacks, and drinks may be provided that were agreed upon with customer. If you or any guests attending with you have allergies or medical conditions, please address them to the captain when you book your outing for safety of all.
Thank you! Welcome aboard matey!
Captain
Brandon Swartz
Most popular features:
Trip availability and prices
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (25)
+22Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Caught fish
100%
Experience:
Equipment
Crew
Overall
February fishing trip
8 Hr Ice Fishing (Day) 1-6 guests on February 10, 2025
We were introduced to Northern Hoosier by way of a winning bid through a silent auction. We appreciated the easy-go of date scheduling directly with our guide down to the shared location pin of where we'd be fishing in advance. Everything was provided as promised and all we needed to do was show up in warm layers with a fishing license in hand. Brandon's previous work as a special education instructor really shines when interacting and instructing with his charter guests. He talked us through step-by-step instructions as well as the behind the scene tidbits and tricks. We were impressed with the creative and rustic-but very complete set-up that kept us comfortable the entire time and his knowledge that he brings to the business. Get on his calendar, you won't be disappointed!
We were introduced to Northern Hoosier by way of a winning bid through a silent auction. We appreciated the easy-go of date scheduling directly with our guide down to the shared location pin of where we'd be fishing in advance. Everything was provided as promised and all we needed to do was show up in warm layers with a fishing license in hand. Brandon's previous work as a special education instructor really shines when interacting and instructing with his charter guests. He talked us through...
Experience:
Equipment
Crew
Overall
8 hour ice fishing trip noon to 8pm
8 Hr Ice Fishing (Day) 1-6 guests on January 25, 2025
What an amazing day even with that wind blowing up some snownadoes! A huge thank you to Brandon with Northern Hoosier Outdoors for creating a day that will definitely be remembered. No one can guarantee fish but this guy definitely knows them and we were all able to get at least one fish! Trevor (5 years old) got the longest, a pike, at 35 inches! I got my personal best as well at 34 inches. Brandon is a natural with kids and finds little jobs for them to do to make them feel involved. Everyone was able to stay toasty and Ryan who usually dislikes ice fishing because of the cold was was a happy camper. If you were ever thinking about an ice fishing guide this is the one to get, very affordable and can accommodate larger groups of people currently up to 6 with plans of larger for the future. He loves a group that just wants to fish and to have fun!
What an amazing day even with that wind blowing up some snownadoes! A huge thank you to Brandon with Northern Hoosier Outdoors for creating a day that will definitely be remembered. No one can guarantee fish but this guy definitely knows them and we were all able to get at least one fish! Trevor (5 years old) got the longest, a pike, at 35 inches! I got my personal best as well at 34 inches. Brandon is a natural with kids and finds little jobs for them to do to make them feel involved....
Experience:
Equipment
Crew
Overall
Great Guide !!
4 Hr Ice Fishing (AM) 1-6 guests on January 17, 2025
Brandon did a great job teaching us how to ice fish. He made sure we were warm and had all the equipment for us! Great guide and got me my new PR for Pike off of a tip up. Very knowledgeable and personable!
Brandon did a great job teaching us how to ice fish. He made sure we were warm and had all the equipment for us! Great guide and got me my new PR for Pike off of a tip up. Very knowledgeable and personable!
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Experience:
Equipment
Crew
Overall
Puts you on fish
on October 15, 2021
I’ve been out fishing with Brandon plenty of times and have always been put on fish, this is my biggest pike, measured in at 34 inches, beating my previous pb at 33 inches, which was caught while fishing with Brandon as my guide. During ice fishing he provides nice warm tents/houses with good hot food, and has plenty of spare equipment for people to use whether it’s during ice season or open water he finds fish.
I’ve been out fishing with Brandon plenty of times and have always been put on fish, this is my biggest pike, measured in at 34 inches, beating my previous pb at 33 inches, which was caught while fishing with Brandon as my guide. During ice fishing he provides nice warm tents/houses with good hot food, and has plenty of spare equipment for people to use whether it’s during ice season or open water he finds fish.
United States
Experience:
Equipment
Crew
Overall
Multiple trips with Brandon
on August 5, 2023
Always a blast, always know how to have a good time and find fish!
Always a blast, always know how to have a good time and find fish!
FAQs about Northern Hoosier Outdoors
What are the trip rates for Northern Hoosier Outdoors?
Northern Hoosier Outdoors offers the following trips to customers:
- US $200 per group, additional US $85 per person after 1 guest - 4 Hr Ice Fishing (AM) 1-6 guests (4 hours)
- US $200 per group, additional US $85 per person after 1 guest - 4 Hr Ice Fishing (Night) 1-6 guests (4 hours)
- US $200 per group, additional US $85 per person after 1 guest - 4 Hr Ice Fishing (PM) 1-6 guests (4 hours)
- US $200 per group, additional US $45 per person after 1 guest - 4 Hr Parent & Child (AM) 1-6 guests (4 hours)
- US $200 per group, additional US $45 per person after 2 guests - 4 Hr Parent & Child (PM) 1-6 guests (4 hours)
- US $200 per group, additional US $45 per person after 2 guests - 4 Hr Parent&Child (Night) 1-6 guest (4 hours)
- US $200 per group, additional US $85 per person after 1 guest - 4Hr Open Water Fishing (1-2 Guests) (4 hours)
- US $200 per group, additional US $85 per person after 1 guest - 4Hr Open Water Fishing (1-2 Guests) (4 hours)
- US $200 per group, additional US $85 per person after 1 guest - 4Hr RumRiver Smallie Slam 1-2guests (4 hours)
- US $300 per group, additional US $140 per person after 1 guest - 8 Hr Ice Fishing (Day) 1-6 guests (8 hours)
- US $300 per group, additional US $140 per person after 1 guest - 8Hr Ice Fishing (Night) 1-6 guests (8 hours)
- US $300 per group, additional US $140 per person after 1 guest - 8Hr Open Water Fishing (1-2 Guests) (8 hours)
- US $300 per group, additional US $140 per person after 1 guest - 8Hr RumRiver Smallie Slam 1-2guests (4 hours)
- US $450 per day per group, additional US $200 per person after 1 guest - 2Day Weekend Ice Camping 1-3guests (2 days)
- US $450 per day per group, additional US $200 per person after 1 guest - 3Day Weekend Ice Camping 1-3guests (3 days)
Which amenities are available onboard with Northern Hoosier Outdoors?
When you book a trip with Northern Hoosier Outdoors, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
- Toilet Bucket with toilet seat
- GPS
- Fishfinder
- Bed When camping on cots overnight on the ice
- Live Bait Well We supply bait when available from local shops.
- Kitchen Coleman propane cook stove and/or fire pit
- Ice Box
What's included in the trip price with Northern Hoosier Outdoors?
Trips booked with Northern Hoosier Outdoors include:
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Live Bait (Bait is included in price. )
- Lures
- Catch cleaning & filleting (Based on trip, catch, clean cook, right on the ice)
- Snacks (Bring your own/ NHO also supplies)
- Drinks (Bring your own/ NHO also supplies)
- First Mate (Jesse is our Tech Mate )
- Lunch (Discuss with captian, what food/how much)
What types of fishing does Northern Hoosier Outdoors offer?
Northern Hoosier Outdoors offers the following types of fishing:
- River Fishing (Snake River and Rum River )
- Lake Fishing
- Backcountry Fishing
What fishing techniques does Northern Hoosier Outdoors offer?
Northern Hoosier Outdoors offers the following fishing techniques:
- Light Tackle
- Heavy Tackle
- Bottom Fishing
- Trolling
- Spinning
- Jigging
- Drift Fishing
- Handline
- Ice Fishing
Which fish species can I catch with Northern Hoosier Outdoors?
Top targeted fish species with Northern Hoosier Outdoors include:
- Bass (Largemouth)
- Bass (Smallmouth)
- Catfish
- Crappie
- Muskellunge (Musky)
- Perch (Yellow)
- Pike (Northern)
- Sturgeon
- Sunfish
- Walleye
Your captain
Cambridge, Minnesota, United States
For my entire life, 32 years, I have been fishing. Before I could walk, my family had a fishin’ pole in my hand and turned me loose! I took to it, it’s my addiction, you could say I was “hooked”! Join me and share the experience!
Jesse W.
First mate
The fish you can target
What kind of fishing will you do?
River Fishing
Snake River and Rum River
Lake Fishing
Backcountry Fishing
Which fishing techniques you can try
Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Drift Fishing
Handline
Ice Fishing
Which amenities are available onboard
Toilet
Bucket with toilet seat
GPS
Fishfinder
Bed
When camping on cots overnight on the ice
Live Bait Well
We supply bait when available from local shops.
Kitchen
Coleman propane cook stove and/or fire pit
Ice Box
What’s included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Bait is included in price.
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Based on trip, catch, clean cook, right on the ice
Snacks
Bring your own/ NHO also supplies
Drinks
Bring your own/ NHO also supplies
First Mate
Jesse is our Tech Mate
Lunch
Discuss with captian, what food/how much
How cancellations work
Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 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 agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
I have brought children as young as 2 months old out with their families all the way to 18 years old. No matter the age and skill level and ability, I accommodate as best I can l to all children.
You Keep Catch
Fish are cleaned and packaged by NHO staff
Crew Keeps Catch
If fish cannot be revived, etc
Catch and Release Allowed
How you can pay
Pay online in full
Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.
No additional fees.
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
PayPal
Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3.5% charge will apply.