Being a Northern Minnesota Charter Captain, we are flexible on the location you would like to fish and depending on what species you would like to target may place us on certain lakes to fit your criteria. Popular lakes include Rainy Lake, Lake of the Woods, Pelican Lake, Namakan Lake, and Lake Kabetogama.
Deposits
All trips will need to be held with a non-refundable security deposit upon booking. All deposits will be $100.00 (paid with a check, Zelle, or Venmo) and will need to be mailed to the address listed below. Immediately after your trip is when the remaining funds will need to be paid with Cash, Venmo, or Zelle.
Northern Water Excursions LLC.
501 3rd Street
Suite 101
International Falls, MN 56649
Rates
Our starting times on Guided trips will vary from 6 A.M. – 8 A.M. departure time. I like to provide flexibility to those that need to get off of the water a little quicker, and we will discuss this several days in advance prior to your trip. The time will begin at the appointed time made when coordinated during the scheduling period. Ending time will be once all services have been completed, such as cleaning fish or travel time back to the dock.
***Prices below do not include the bait, gas, and gratuity (which will be calculated and added in addition to the below at the end of the trip)***
Eight Hours
- $650.00 – Two People plus $100/extra person
Six Hours
- $550.00 – Two People plus $100/extra person
Four Hours
- $450.00 – Two People plus $100/extra person
Three Hours
- $350.00 – Two People plus $100/extra person
Two Hours
- $250.00 – Two People plus $100/extra person
Follow Boats – $200 per Boat
Cancellations
All deposits are non-refundable and non-negotiable, with the only exception being that the trip was cancelled by Northern Water Excursions LLC due to unforeseeable circumstances such as weather or mechanical problems. Please notify us if you need to cancel your trip, we can have a conversation about potentially repurposing your deposit into an available future trip within one calendar year of your original booked trip date.
What to Bring
- Current fishing license for the location we are fishing (Minnesota and/or Canada (as well as a current form of Identification if fishing in Canada))
- Rain Gear and Clothing properly suited for the weather conditions (Examples would be a Coat/Sweatshirt/Sun Shirt/Gloves)
- Sunglasses (Polarized preferred but not necessary)
- Hat
- Camera
- Sunscreen
- Food and Beverages (please keep within moderation)
Voyageurs National Park Tours and Remote Hiking (Trail Heads are only accessible by water!)
We will provide tours that will navigate you through the rare natural beauty that this area still provides. This could be to capture the experience of a Rainy Lake Sunset, leisure ride to view scenery/wildlife, photography, Hiking the beautiful interior of the Park, and or take a ride out to Kettle Falls to enjoy their facilities.
***Prices below do not include the gas or gratuity (which will be calculated and added in addition to the below at the end of the trip)
***(Departure from the Landing to the arrival back at the Landing (Starting times will vary and will be coordinated prior to the trip to meet your needs)
Eight Hours (Hiking Only)
- $650.00 – Two People plus $100/extra person
Six Hours
- $550.00 – Two People plus $100/extra person
Five Hours
- $500.00 – Two People plus $100/extra person
Four Hours (Minimal Option for Hiking)
- $450.00 – Two People plus $100/extra person
Three Hours
- $350.00 – Two People plus $100/extra person
Two Hours
- $250.00 – Two People plus $100/extra person
Our trips are credible and highly recommend among those who have had the pleasure of experiencing a tour. I rely solely on providing the best experience possible which is why every tour is customized to best satisfy your desires. If you’re not sure what those desires are, no problem as I have you covered! The credibility of our company has grown quickly, enough where we have been given the opportunity to be listed on Trip Advisor (Link is here) as well!
Coming in 2025!
Bear Hunting/Grouse Hunting/Fishing Trips Combo Packages!
Details on these packages are being worked out, if this is something that interests you, please give us a call at 218-324-1776!
Boating Lessons:
These lessons are for beginners looking to operate a vessel for the first time or those looking to gain additional confidence and/or experience. The lessons will provide the basics around boating safety and the proper steps to inspecting, launching, and navigating a vessel.
The following items are additional learnings I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in that will assist me in helping you achieve your goals.
- United States Coast Guard Certified Instructor – (teaching others how to become Charter Captains)
- United States Coast Guard Certified Captain
- National Professional Anglers Association Member (My ID: NPAA# 242)
- Professional training surrounding guiding and promoting sponsors.
- Assist in fishing conferences. (Helping individuals learn about and purchase items)
- Administered fishing booths at several youth events (2013-present)
- Decade of management experience training individuals in miscellaneous tasks.
Though I have the credentials listed above, the biggest difference/reason for you to work with me is, I genuinely care and want to help you learn and build confidence around all aspects of utilizing the waters. Being on the water is my true passion and I want to be able to have the opportunity to help you enjoy the beauty these waters bring whether you are of adult or youth age. I am focusing this portion of my business on helping people learn how to build or add on to their fundamentals. We will go through pre-launching procedures, some marine safety training, physically launching the boat, pre-operating procedures, operating the vessel, loading the trailer, and going through pre-travel procedures. While on the water we will be going through some of the basics of navigation as well. This will be a two-day session per individual. If the individual is a minor, please contact us for details on how we will proceed.
*Prices below do not include the gas (which will be calculated and added in addition to the below prior to leaving the material)
Private boating/safety lessons (up to a Six-hour day or until you feel confident)
- $500.00 per day
Custom requested/specific lesson requests are an option and are available for a lower price. Please contact us to discuss and we will work on the appropriate amount of time and price – see examples below:
- Launching/Loading Vessel Training
- Navigation/Safety Training
- Boat driving/operating lessons
- Rough Weather/Big Wave navigation (driving) lessons
Above is an example of private training that has taken place. Kyle (above) is learning the ropes of navigation and boat handling so he can have the confidence to guide in the future. Just like starting to drive a car, you tend to go through a driver’s education course; this program is equivalent to a course of that nature. In the past I have previously broken down this training to very specific training, such as the loading and unloading of a boat at the ramp. I have worked with both Male and Female clients on boat launching procedures (from pulling into the launch driveway, approach, backing up, exc…) in addition to that I have also covered the additional proper procedures to allow you to start and end your day on the water successfully.
OUPV Captains Class Training (click HERE to reserve a seat in an upcoming class!)
I am a USCG approved instructor, I have worked with a previous instructor who has roughly 30 years of experience in preparing/teaching, and I am set up to administer tests to other Mariners to qualify for their USCG Captains Licenses. With my experience and knowledge, I will also privately tutor individuals to help them pass their USCG 6-pack Captains License exams (regardless of you taking my class or having another instructor/online). With current technology we can also do this through distance learning such as Zoom, and is not uncommon. I will be posting when I will be hosting Captains Training Classes on the Captain’s Class page on this website.
USCG Captains Courses
- Check out this link to the NMC website to help guide you on all additional items that you will need to obtain your credentials: Merchant Mariner Credential NMC (uscg.mil)
Private Tutoring Lessons – (One hour minimal – Contact Us to set up an appointment)
- First Hour – $85.00
- Second Hour – $60.00
CREDENTIAL INFORMATION LISTED BELOW
ROUPV 6-Pack (Restricted to MN northern navigable lakes ONLY) – (4-Day Course)
- RESTRICTED INLAND credential – Restricted Permissions (stated below)
Any applicant who has successfully completed OUPV (Restricted to Inland Rivers and Lakes of Minnesota) (NWEMAT-584) course within one year of application will satisfy:
- The examination requirements for original issuance or renewal of an endorsement as Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels of less than 100 GRT upon Inland waters restricted to Lake of the Woods, Rainy River, Rainy Lake, Kabetogama Lake, Namakan Lake, Sand Point Lake, and Crane Lake of Minnesota.
- This course does not satisfy any sea service requirements.
- A course certificate may be used for one application which results in the issuance of an endorsement and may not be used for any application transactions thereafter
- Please note that this will only be good for the state of MN’s Lakes listed above and will not cover permission to work on the remaining inland lakes in MN, including the Great Lakes or Mississippi.
- If you need any of those available in your credentials you will need to take an OUPV class instead.
- This course is typically sought out by individuals working on waters throughout Voyageurs National Park and Lake of the Woods only.
OUPV – 6 Pack (This course will cover a variety of credentials and will be dependent on what kind of sea-service time you qualify for) (8-Day Course).
NEAR COASTAL (up to 100 miles off-shore)
- 6 paying passengers plus crew
- License is good up to 100 Gross Tons
- A licensed captain is often required for deliveries and relocations by the insurance companies.
- Operating vessels inland and up to 100 miles offshore
- STCW training could be required when operating in international waters and traveling to international ports.
- Must be a minimum of 18 years of age to be an operator
- To operate a vessel of less than 5 net tons, around 26ft, you do not need to be a US citizen. It is required to be a US citizen when operating a documented vessel for hire over 5 net tons.
GREAT LAKES and INLAND
- 6 paying passengers plus crew
- License is good up to 100 Gross Tons
- A licensed captain is often required for deliveries and relocations by the insurance companies.
- Operating vessels inland and throughout the Great Lakes
- Must be a minimum of 18 years of age to be an operator
- To operate a vessel of less than 5 net tons, around 26ft, you do not need to be a US citizen. It is required to be a US citizen when operating a documented vessel for hire over 5 net tons.
INLAND and WESTERN RIVERS
- 6 paying passengers plus crew
- License is good up to 100 Gross Tons
- The vessel must be operated within the US Coast Guard dedicated boundary lines
- Time is not required outside the US Coast Guard dedicated boundary lines to obtain the license
- Must be a minimum of 18 years of age to be an operator
- To operate a vessel of less than 5 net tons, around 26ft, you do not need to be a US citizen. It is required to be a US citizen when operating a documented vessel for hire over 5 net tons.
Renewal Course – 6 Pack Renewal when you are short on Sea-Service Time or coming out of Continuity (1.5-Day Course)
Document of Continuity – Deck officers, engine officers and qualified ratings such as able seamen or qualified members of the engine department are eligible to obtain a Document of Continuity, which enables mariners who cannot, or choose not to meet the active renewal requirements to place their credentials in an inactive status
COBBLESTONE HOTEL & SUITES – Highly Recommended!
Northern Water Excursions LLC has partnered with Cobblestone Hotel & Suites of International Falls, and when you book a trip with Northern Water Excursions LLC (with your deposit is paid in full) you have an option to receive a nightly discount on your stay! Northern Water Excursions LLC is the only one who can have the discount applied, so when you book your trip, we can work together on having the discount applied.
AmericInn
AmericInn is a nice option as well. There is an option to receive a nightly discount as well upon booking a trip with Northern Water Excursions LLC (deposit being paid in full). Northern Water Excursions LLC is the only one who can have the discount applied, so when you book your trip, we can work together on having the discount applied.
AmericInn by Wyndham International Falls | International Falls, MN Hotels (wyndhamhotels.com)
Steps to Book with Northern Water Excursions LLC.
1.) Call (218) 324-1776 or you can write me an email request from the Contact Page
2.) You can make your deposit by utilizing Venmo, Zelle, mail a Check (address found on home page or services page), or by navigating to the Captain’s Classes page on this site to pay with a credit card/debit card.
3.) When navigating to the Captain’s Classes page, you will find the $100 deposit option under the February 2022 Menu.
Example: Charter Captain Services – $100 Deposit – February 7, 2022 – December 31, 2038 at All Day – Tickets left: 970
4.) After carefully reading through the Northern Water Excursions LLC Event Waiver & Release, you will need to fill out your personal information, then check the box if you agree to consent to your data being collected and stored, click on the red button below your information that says: PURCHASE YOUR SEAT HERE
5.) This will redirect you to the Pay Pal platform that Northern Water Excursions LLC utilizes.
6.) Select which payment method you would like, either pay via PayPal account or select the debit card/credit card options.
7.) Enter your information and you will receive a receipt via email. Northern Water Excursions LLC will have their personal Calendar/Schedule marked with your information but is not posted publicly.
Lets Connect!
we’d love to hear your feedback or answer any questions you may have.