About Josh Stevenson

Josh is a skilled, personable, and confident fishing guide. But when it comes to talking about himself, he’s a humble guy. So I volunteered to write this section.

Along with several of my co-workers in the Hockey Operations department of the Minnesota Wild, I first met Josh as one of his guide clients. Since then I’ve been able to browse Josh’s many photo albums, filled with hundreds of happy clients posing with their trophy catches. He has earned a solid reputation as a leading Minnesota Fishing Guide, and anglers from all over the United States travel to Minnesota just to fish with him year after year. Why is that?

Skill & Experience: You’d be hard-pressed to find a guide more knowledgeable than Josh. He started fishing at a very young age, and he’s been guiding professionally for over 25 years (although he’s been guiding his childhood friends even longer, as evidenced by a classic video in the “Stevenson Vault” of 14-year old Josh filming his own fishing show with his friends as his guests). If time spent sleeping were not a factor, it would almost be fair to say that Josh has spent more hours on the water than on dry land! Simply put, he knows where the fish are and how to get them to bite.

Passion & Enthusiasm: Landing the next Big One of any species, whatever the weather conditions, is always on the forefront of Josh’s mind. If you’ve seen him on “The Hunt for Big Fish” with Larry Dahlberg, or “Hook Shots” with Joe Cermele on Field & Stream.com, or in the video clips on ExploreMinnesota.com, you already have an idea of Josh’s consistent enthusiasm when it comes to fishing and helping clients catch the fish they’re after.

Catching big fish

Despite the hundreds of notable catches he’s had over the years, Josh has a way of making you feel like your fish is not “just another fish.” When he was guiding our group on the St. Croix River, we weren’t after a monster musky, we just wanted action. And Josh, holder of the Minnesota State Record Tiger Musky, was still able to create an atmosphere of excitement over every fish we hauled in, even if they didn’t set any new records. What a fun day that was!

Personable & Accommodating: A frequent comment from Josh’s clients is that in addition to being a skilled fisherman, he also has a great personality. Josh sincerely enjoys meeting new people. Chances are good that you’ll have even more fun in his boat than what you’d expect (and isn’t any day of fishing already a good day?)!

Josh wants you to catch fish. He’s happy to provide direction (as needed), and will use all possible tactics to maximize your chances of getting fish in the boat. Whether your preferred method is trolling or casting, whether you prefer to fish for hours on end without breaks or you prefer to split up the day, Josh is sensitive to your preferences and will work hard to accommodate you. He has guided elderly clients, kids, fishing novices and fishing pros. He is quick to adapt to any situation in order to give his clients the best experience possible.

Hopefully you now have a better idea of who you’d be spending your day or half-day with. If you do end up booking a fishing trip with Josh and you like home-made chocolate chip cookies, just let him know and I’ll set you up on the day of your trip!

Happy Fishing!
Laura (Kinzel) Stevenson

What Clients Are Saying…

What a fantastic day on the water yesterday! I went in to the day with two goals: for my dad to get a muskie and for me to learn and improve. Mission accomplished! Putting 3 muskies in the boat in 7 minutes is amazing (I have the time stamps on the photos to prove it!). My dad is a pretty stoic guy, but when we had our little “after action report” at home, he was really pumped! As for me as an intermediate level muskie guy, the trip was absolutely invaluable. To be put on the fish and then coached through the process of hooking them, fighting them, and getting them in the net? It was an entire season’s worth of experience packed into one day!

Dad and I definitely had the muskie bug going in, but we’re already consulting one another to see when we can get to Mille Lacs with you. Thanks again for a great day!

Bob Klindworth

My boyfriend had invited me on a day trip he had booked with Josh and then decided to book a second day as a birthday present. As a life long fisherman, while I was so excited about this, I was a total novice when it came to Musky fishing. The first day, I think I made a rookie mistake as I had a “big” Tiger Musky follow my lure. I saw it by the side of the boat and stopped moving my lure. As a hunter also, I can only say it was similar to buck fever. Josh pointed out this was Musky fever! I couldn’t even speak as we stared at this big musky. Josh didn’t get a look at the fish and asked us how big it was. We looked at each other and the only word was “BIG”. Over the next few hours and the following day, we went to visit the spot. Sunday the fishing conditions were a bit different and we brought in two nice Pike within minutes of each other and then decided to head over to where the big one was hanging out.
When I set the hook on this one, similar to when I got the Pike earlier in the day, Josh asked, “How big is it?”. My only response was “BIG”. He said how big? I said “BIG” (in a much louder voice). I knew, from my fishing experience, the bend of the rod, the feel of things that I had a lunker on the line. Josh was patient, helpful, his directions were concise and together we landed my first Musky (45 inch Tiger Musky) into the boat. The smile on all of our faces was indescribable. I was shaking and my heart was racing. Josh worked hard to get my picture and get the big guy back into the water. Wow, what a rush I will never forget. We had so much fun over the course of those 2 days with Josh. Highest recommendations for this down to earth, super talented Fishing guide. Thank you for an experience I will never forget!!!

Jodie Milroy

I have hired fishing guides from Canada to Mexico, and everywhere in-between, and Josh is unquestionably the best. I can say, without any hyperbole, that Josh put us on the greatest fishing day of my life. In a span of just forty five minutes I caught four or five nice-sized northerns, battled a musky, observed a baby bald-eagle diving into the water after prey, and my nephew and father both caught a massive bass. In fact, the bass my dad caught was not too far off from the state record. After we left the lake we sat around stunned for an hour, barely able to believe how fortunate we were. Additionally, Josh was able to coach my six year old nephew in a way that was helpful and patient but not harsh, unlike some other guides I have encountered; he even went so far as to pack him delicious chocolate chip cookies for the trip. The experience literally could not have been any better.

Lukas Johnson

My cousin, son and I are all Pacific NW, died-in-the-wool trout fishers. We’ve never fished for Pike or Musky, prior to our trip with Josh Stevenson. Having been warned that fishing would likely be slow, we were thrilled with the number and size of Northerns and Musky we caught. When we caught two huge Tiger Musky within one minute of each-other, we could hardly believe it. Josh certainly knows where the fish are, and how to coach a novice through the catch. Great job Josh!

Joel M.

My friend and I went fishing for Musky July 20 and 21^st with Josh and we had a fantastic time! The fishing was nothing short of phenomenal, the social part of the experience was memorable, and in and of itself would have been sufficient to make the trip well worth it—the fact that we caught a bunch of fish was icing on the cake, so to speak. In addition to being a knowledgeable and experienced, expert and patient guide, Josh is the most down to earth/no nonsense and humble fishing guide I’ve ever had the pleasure of fishing with, and I’ve fished with quite a few over the years! The camaraderie that the three of us developed over the two days, and the numerous humorous exchanges we had made the trip really special. I look forward to fishing with Josh again and would heartily recommend him to anyone I know. Thanks again, Josh.

Jeff L.

We wanted to introduce my 6-year-old grandson to fishing, but know Wisconsin lakes better than Minnesota ones—and that first fishing experience better be a good one! We hired Josh as guide for half a day, and man, he delivered—not only fish, but such a positive, happy experience for Quinlan! And the fish: 100 sunfish, no kidding; an enormous large mouth bass, and two giant northerns. The only problem is that for the rest of Q’s life, he’ll likely not have as action-filled a day on the water! Josh was simply terrific. We were thrilled.

Pamela Hill Nettleton

I just completed my 3rd guided fishing trip with Josh…and I live in ARIZONA! That is right, Josh is so good at what he does, that I actually fly out to Minnesota just to experience the guided trips that Josh gives. He really is the best guide that I have ever had. He puts you on fish when others are struggling. He has such a positive attitude and his passion for fishing rubs off on you. He truly feels like a friend when you are fishing with him. In the guide trips I have done with him, we have pulled in 3 musky, 30+ northerns (some massive), and some huge largemouth bass. I am already looking forward to the next chance that I get to fly out to Minnesota for some fishing with Josh! Thanks again Josh for such a great trip!

John Anderson

I want to thank you for the amazing time on the water. This was a great success on my part and on the fishing end of things. Everything I heard about Josh and his passion for fishing was blown out of the water, his patience, intensity and knowledge when we had fish following baits was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Thanks again and I will for surely be booking more trips in the future and spreading the word!

Derek Boomer

I’m 49 years old and some of my first memories are of fishing, but I must say the 2 days fishing with Josh are the best days I’ve ever had on the water. I flew in from Denver just to go fishing in Minnesota with Josh. I specifically came for a big musky. Well I landed a 41″ and a 43″ musky. 2 northerns, 28″ and 37″. 3 large mouth bass, 2 at 20″ and 1 at 21″ and almost 6 pounds. All I can say is wow, thank you Josh for the trip of a lifetime. I would trade 3 days fishing on a Lake Superior chartered boat for 1 day fishing for the MIGHTY MUSKY with Josh. Thank you Josh and Laura.

John Norton

I have had the opportunity to fish with several professional guides over the years, but none have had the knowledge of fishing or the ability to find fish like Josh. I have to thank him for giving me the opportunity to catch the biggest fish of my life! Thanks Josh!

Scott Miller - Master Taxidermist/Wildlife Artist

Josh Stevenson eats, breathes and sleeps muskie fishing. If I want to know something about muskies — or metro fishing in general — he is my go-to expert. Not only that, he is a fun and articulate guy. You are guaranteed to learn something about life or fishing from him when you are on the water.

Chris Niskanen

Josh Stevenson is a talented fisherman and a successful guide. Even the most experienced fishermen can learn from him. he has dedicated himself to catching big fish and will work hard to put you on fish. A trip with Josh will be an experience to remember and a chance at a fish of a lifetime.

Mike Yurk

have been fishing with my father since I was 5 years old. I am fortunate now to have children of my own and was blessed to have the opportunity to go out with Josh and my 6 year old son Jack to go after so big musky and pike. That day, Jack, my 6 year old, caught a 40? 20lb northern and if it were not for Josh, this memory would never be there to share. I hope only the best for Josh and hope to stay in touch in the future as he is one of the few people I now who has more passion for fishing than me.

William Still

I first met Josh when he guided my co-workers and me on the St. Croix river. He was a top-notch fishing guide, personable with everyone in the group and quick to offer assistance or fishing tips as needed. Knowledgeable and conscientious, Josh ensures that his clients have the very best opportunities on any given day to land fish.

Laura Stevenson

Josh guided me and my 16 and 14 year old sons yesterday. He created a lifetime memory for us all. Josh is not just an expert fisherman/guide; he is a man of great integrity and a lot of fun to be around. My boys and I had never seen pike or musky other than in pictures, and Josh put us on fish within about 10 minutes of hitting the water. His wife packed the boat with snacks and yummy sandwiches and drinks to keep us fueled as we fished like crazy for 7 1/2 hours. I would definitely recommend doing an all day trip if possible. It would have been an awesome time even if we didn’t catch a single fish, but, only because of Josh, we caught numerous pike and musky. We also were fortunate enough to see multiple bald eagles and other birds of prey, along with lots of other wildlife and sights we don’t have back home in Oklahoma. My boys and I will be talking about our experience yesterday forever, and we will be back for more days just like it as soon as we can. I can’t recommend Josh highly enough.

Jim Webb

If you’re wanting to hire a musky guide, stop looking, do yourself a favor and book Josh Stevenson right now. It will be one of the best decisions you can make if you’re wanting to hook into fish. The day of fishing my dad and I shared with Josh takes the cake as one of the most memorable and fun days of fishing we have ever had. Josh knew the lake, knew the lures, knew the technique and knew how to put us on monster musky for a day where we saw 10+ musky to the boat, caught 2 and hooked into 4 additional fish. On top of all of the fishing, Josh is the type of person you want to go fishing with, passionate, positive attitude and someone easy to spend a day in the boat sharing stories and joking around with. At the end of the trip, my dad and I both left the boat landing that evening saying we will never forget this day of fishing. I caught my first musky ever, my 2nd musky (which was a beast) and my dad had the mishap of losing a big one as it got hooked, then swam down 22ft to bottom and got tangled up in a downed tree, then my dad proceeded to reel the tree and the fish to the boat, and at the last minute the fish broke loose and swam away, but not before we all saw how big of a monster it was. You cannot make fishing stories like this up. Now that we have had the best guide for musky in MN, we will only be going through Josh again for our future guided outings.

Zac B.