The Gunflint Lake area, Lake of the Woods, Mille Lacs, Etc.

Hire on to a lodge to do misc tasks, (chopping wood, cleaning cabins, mowing grass, Etc). Most resorts, (in the Spring), hire responsible college students looking for a Summer job.

However, unless you KNOW the area lake you will be guiding EXTREMELY well, your chances of finding any full-time guiding jobs are zero.

Not to mention the fact you need to have a CAPTAINS license to legally take anyone on an excursion. You also need to carry INSURANCE against possible death or dismemberment for your clients.Why insurance? What if one of your clients accidentally falls overboard & drowns…….or worse………..?

Do you have your own guide boat and gear? Very few guides would trust their expensive boat and gear with a "green" 18 YR old…………..Do you think a crusty old guide fisherman is going to SHOW YOU all his great fishing spots & techniques, (so you can STEAL them)???

So, the answer is NO, (for the most part).

Your "best bet" would be to find a resort and see if you could work in the Marina…….

Or you could contact guides in your area and ask them if you could VOLUNTEER your time (that means free- no pay) to help them in any way possible. Some guide may decide he needs extra help……….I doubt it. Guides usually don’t like to disclose there "honey holes" and other techniques to "potential future guides". It’s bad for business….

I rent a camping cabin at the Gunflint Lodge, (http://www.gunflintpines.com/index.shtml ) almost every year. Those times that we’ve stayed at the lodge there has been summer break, college-students, working for a a bunk and minimum wage.

If I was young again and wanted a great experience, as well as an "adventure", I’d sign on for that type of job!

You MEET guides and gobs of fishermen, you get to stay in and around the most pristine Lakes & woodlands in the World, AND get to learn a variety of different jobs you may, (or may not) know. The girl we met this year who was "interning" cleaned cabins, did yard work, worked the Marina and even cooked food in the Cafe. She looked no worse for the wear and even got time to take a quick swim in the middle of the day…………..

Imagine.

On your days off, you would be able to fish some of the most pristine waters IN MN! And you never know, if you learned the Lakes well enough and garnered enough info from local fishermen & guides, in a couple years you could BE guiding, (with your Capt’s license & your OWN boat & tackle, of course).

Hope this helps ya?
References :
‘ole fisherman currently residing in MN.