FAN Outdoors · Billy Hildebrand (KFXN)

Fan Outdoors: Steve Karasaway, Mark Courts, Tackle Terry

·1 hr 29 min·5 clips

Steve Karasaway describes how a light switch flipped for shallow water walleyes on Lake Vermilion last Monday.

This episode of Fan Outdoors features host Billy Hildebrand and co-host Bob St. Pierre discussing early summer fishing and turkey hunting. They are joined by two professional anglers: Steve Karasaway, a guide on Lake Vermilion, and Mark Kortz, who competes in walleye tournaments. Steve Karasaway reports that walleyes on Lake Vermilion have recently moved into shallow, rocky areas as water temperatures reached the 60s. He describes catching 25 walleyes over 14 inches in four hours by fishing 18 new spots, using LiveScope to identify fish. Karasaway notes that smallmouth bass are in four to eight feet of water and crappies are beginning to spawn. He mentions a 125-boat tournament was held on the lake the second weekend of the season. Mark Kortz recounts his recent tournament experiences, placing sixth at Lake Sharpe in South Dakota and 38th on the Mississippi River near La Crosse. He explains how rising water levels and cold inflows affected fish behavior, forcing anglers to adjust locations on wing dams. Kortz details using crankbaits and a "dork rig," a short Lindy rig with a three-eighths ounce weight, to target walleyes in current. Karasaway emphasizes that Lake Vermilion requires local knowledge, as fish are not evenly distributed, and recommends hiring a guide for visitors. He shares that his family swims in the lake from May through October despite cold water. Kortz describes the diversity of species in river systems, where he caught catfish, sturgeon, sauger, and bass while targeting walleyes. A surprising moment is Karasaway's story of his dog being knocked off a pontoon by a wake boat, though she was safely retrieved. Kortz mentions a helpful, intoxicated pontoon crew that once lifted his stranded boat back into a channel. Hildebrand and St. Pierre open the show with personal anecdotes about cold-water swimming and the challenges of netting a large walleye alone. The tone is casual and conversational, blending personal stories with practical fishing advice. The style is educational, with guides and pros explaining seasonal patterns, techniques, and specific gear. Listeners planning a fishing trip to Lake Vermilion or interested in river walleye strategies would find this episode valuable. Those seeking highly structured, topic-focused content might prefer a different format.

As heard by us

A quiet dockside update that folds turkey season, farm birds, and fishing talk into an easy Saturday listen.

This outdoor update starts in near silence on the dock, then settles into turkey season, farm birds, and early fishing reports. The best parts are the little specifics: a loon calling off in the distance, dragonflies hanging over the yard, birds still active on the farm, and…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

A quiet dockside Saturday-morning check-in for when you want spring turkey talk, fishing updates, and a little cabin calm before the day starts.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from FAN Outdoors