A guided fishing trip is the very best way to get to know Lake Vermilion and learn how to catch the fish you want. We are fortunate to have a couple of the most experienced Lake Vermilion fishing guides dedicated to Pehrson Lodge guests, plus many other excellent guides fishing out of Pehrson Lodge on a daily basis. Guides are on the water every day and know what the fish are doing. They will show you the most productive areas, depths and techniques for each species of fish you wish to target.
Our dedicated, local, fishing guides, Jason Freed and Jake Panichi, will help you get you on the fish. Catch their weekly summer fishing seminar for up-to-date pointers.
If you are staying with us and would like to schedule an outing, please contact the Main Office at Pehrson Lodge and we would be happy to help. Vermilion guides are private contractors, so payment is made directly to them, by cash or check.
Guide Jason Freed
Jason has been fishing on Lake Vermilion since his days as a little kid on their family vacations. For the past sixteen years, Jason has been a professional fishing guide, and he has dedicated his time to being on Lake Vermilion since 2019. When not on the water, he is a teacher and a head football coach, so educating and teaching folks the sport of fishing goes hand in hand. Guarantee you will have a great time on the water whether you are fishing with your family or avid anglers looking to break down Lake Vermilion.
Jason is a multi-species fishing guide who spends the majority of his open water season fishing for walleyes and bass on Lake Vermilion but will also spend time fishing for panfish and pike as well. To go along with being a fishing guide, he is an accomplished tournament angler with multiple top ten finishes and a couple first-place finishes as well. Jason is also on the Lund Boats and Mercury Marine National Pro Staffs. When stepping into his boat, you will be given a first-class experience, use high-end equipment, and have a comfortable ride and fishing experience in his 20-foot Lund, as well as access to technology and great storytelling.
Jason also works with another Leisure Outdoor Adventures guide as well as some other guides on the lake in the event you need more than one guide boat or have a larger group.
If you would like to schedule an outing, please contact the Main Office at Pehrson Lodge and we would be happy to help. Vermilion guides are private contractors, so payment is made directly to them, by cash or check.
www.leisureoutdooradventures.com
507-450-7986 (Cell)
jasonf@leisureoutdooradventures.com
Guide Jake Panichi
Jake Panichi is a full-time professional fishing guide, tournament angler, and lifelong northern Minnesota fisherman. Growing up in the Cook area, Jake has spent countless hours learning Lake Vermilion and the surrounding fisheries and now enjoys sharing that knowledge with anglers visiting the area.
Jake operates Panichi Guide Service and specializes in creating a fishing experience tailored to each group. Whether you’re a family looking to spend a fun day on the water, a first-time angler hoping to catch fish and learn something new, or an experienced fisherman wanting to better understand Lake Vermilion, Jake will build the trip around your goals and experience level.
As a multi-species guide, Jake primarily targets smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleyes, northern pike, and panfish. While Lake Vermilion is his home water, he also guides on Pelican Lake and other surrounding northern Minnesota lakes, giving guests the option to experience different fisheries during their stay.
When he isn’t guiding, Jake is an accomplished tournament angler who competes throughout Minnesota and beyond. His tournament accomplishments include being named the 2023 Champions Tour Rookie of the Year, winning the 2021 Minnesota High School B.A.S.S. State Championship, qualifying for multiple national championships, and recording numerous strong finishes in regional tournament competition. Jake continues to pursue his goal of competing professionally at the highest levels of bass fishing.
He is also a member of the Lund Boats and Mercury Marine Pro Staffs, representing two of the most recognized brands in the fishing and boating industry. Guests fishing with Jake will enjoy a first-class experience aboard a 20-foot Lund Pro V Bass powered by Mercury. His boat is equipped with modern fishing electronics and high-quality equipment to help make each day on the water comfortable, safe, and productive. Quality rods, reels, tackle, and safety equipment are provided, so guests can simply show up ready to fish. Anglers are also welcome to bring their own favorite rods and tackle.
More than anything, Jake wants every group to leave the boat having had a great time, caught some fish, and learned something they can use for the rest of their stay on Lake Vermilion.
For guests looking to book multiple boats or accommodate a larger group, Jake can also coordinate with other experienced Lake Vermilion guides.
Other Lake Vermilion Guides:
Dave Schueck
Sunset Glow Guide Service
(612) 770-0495
www.sunsetglowguideservice.com
Tim (Buck) Lescarbeau
H-(218) 254-3815
C-(218) 969-1022
www.vermilionwalleye.com
Denny Van de Linde
(218) 666-2910
Lonnie Johnson (Trout Lake)
(218) 780-3610
Mark Postudensek (Trout Lake or Vermilion)
(218) 780-3610
Lonnie and Mark can provide a great guided BWCA experience. Trout Lake is a magnificent wilderness lake with a 25hp motor restriction. Trout is known for its lake trout, but it is also an outstanding bass lake and can be a good walleye lake. We can even schedule a split day to fish for bass/walleye for part of the day and switch to downrigger fishing for lakers for the remainder of the day.
AJ Wiesner (Muskie)
(507) 358-2047