Name: Crooked hat guide service
Address: Brainerd, MN
Price range: $400 - $800

About Your Guide

Joe Billiar

Independent Guide

Laid-back

Talkative

Instructional

Beginner Oriented

Comfortable

Quality

Let me take you back to where it all started. I have spent my summers in a fishing boat since I was 6 months old and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. I was taught how to fish by my grandpa and dad around the Grand Rapids area. As I grew older, I became more interested in learning new lakes and species to fish. Suddenly I was the one dragging my family out to chase the next catch. My passion of fishing quickly turned into a passion of teaching others to fish on the beautiful lakes around us. With over 400 lakes in the Brainerd area there are opportunities for trophy walleye, musky, small mouth bass, and northern pike. Lakes such as Gull, Round, Alexander, and hundreds of others to choose from depending on season and conditions.

Whether looking to catch fish, learn in-depth knowledge of the lake, or learn a new technique, booking with Joe is the way to go!

About Your Guide

Joe Billiar

Independent Guide

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Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

45” musky

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

Steaks

What’s your favorite band?

Sleep tolken

What’s your favorite movie?

Any horror movies

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

45” musky

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

Steaks

What’s your favorite band?

Sleep tolken

What’s your favorite movie?

Any horror movies

What’s your favorite sports team?

Minnesota wild

What’s your drink of choice?

Coffee

What was your last halloween costume?

A lumberjack

What do you want for Christmas this year?

Good weather for the guide season!

How did you get started guiding?

I was always told by friends that I should start guiding. After taking their advice my first guide trip ever I helped a 15 year old land their first musky

What makes you different from other guides?

I love teaching on the water not just getting people on fish but helping them be successful so they can have the same success if the go by themselves

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Lake Fishing Trip

100% (2) Brainerd, MN 1 - 4 People 4 - 8 Hours From $400

About Your Trip

Water Type

Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather

About Your Trip

With more than 400 lakes in the Brainerd area, anglers have endless opportunities to chase trophy walleye, musky, smallmouth bass, and northern pike. Popular waters like Gull, Round, and Alexander are just a few of the options, with countless other lakes to choose from depending on the season and conditions. Whether the goal is to catch fish, gain in-depth knowledge of the local waters, or learn new techniques, booking a trip with Joe is the perfect choice.

Trips run between 4 and 8 hours with a maximum of four anglers. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are provided, along with a medium cooler stocked with ice. At the end of the day, Joe will clean your catch if requested. Anglers should bring a valid Minnesota fishing license, appropriate clothing for the weather, polarized glasses, and any food or drinks. For those planning to keep fish, a cooler must be brought along for transport.

Walleye fishing is especially productive in the early spring months of May and June, with trophy walleye action heating up again in September and October. Musky fishing begins in June, with fall offering the best chance to land a trophy. Multi-species trips targeting smallmouth bass and pike are ideal through June, July, and August, when it’s not uncommon to catch 50 to 100 fish in a single day. These trips are particularly well-suited for kids or anyone who simply wants steady action on the water.

Amenities

Water Type

Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.