The Nisswa Guides League could be described as the country’s angling elite, ­equivalent to the NFL or baseball’s major leagues, they define the professional fishing guide in Minnesota. Beginning in the 1960’s, the league has been based for more than three decades at S&W Bait and Tackle, formerly Marv Koep’s Nisswa Bait and Tackle Shop (north of Brainerd on Highway 371). Koep’s shop led all others in traffic, popularity, and credibility, and much of its fame was owed to the mystique of the fishing guides who based their operations there.

Day in and day out, the Nisswa Guides came through for their clients­, vacationing families, visiting celebrities, and other less-experienced anglers ­skillfully unlocking the secrets of where, when, and how to catch fish. The roster of current and former Nisswa Guides includes greats such as Al and Ron Lindner, Gary Roach, Harry Van Dorn, Marv Koep and other fishing legends. Together, they have put guided fishing trips on the map for the Brainerd Lakes Area and Minnesota!

The Nisswa Guides League includes an assimilation of 10 of Minnesota’s finest fishing guides. They are fishing educators, professional tournament fishermen, fishing industry experts, fish biology gurus, local lake experts, and multiple National and State Hall of Fame Angler and ­all who operate with first-class professionalism and expertise to create lasting fishing memories and have fun on the water. The Nisswa Guides League outfits trips on waters primarily throughout central and northern Minnesota, especially in the Brainerd Lakes area and great fisheries like Mille Lacs, Leech, Winnie and Gull, for all species. Fishing trips may be booked by 4, 6, or 8-hour increments and the guides specialize in different species, including the famous walleye fishing.