Terms and Cancellation Policy

Booking & Deposits

Booking requests made through this website or by phone are confirmed once Dustin accepts your request and a 25% deposit is placed (for example, $200 on a full-day trip or $125 on a half-day trip). Your date is not reserved until the deposit is received. Deposits can be paid by Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, card, or cash, arranged directly with Dustin.

The deposit is non-refundable. The remaining balance is due in full at the beginning of each day of your trip.

Cancellations & Rescheduling

If you need to cancel, your deposit is not refunded. If you need to reschedule and give at least 14 days’ notice, your deposit transfers to a new date within the same season, subject to availability. Reschedule requests with less than 14 days’ notice are treated as cancellations.

No-shows and same-day cancellations are charged the full trip price.

Weather

Lake Mille Lacs is big water, and safety comes first. The decision to cancel or cut short a trip due to weather rests with the guide. If Dustin cancels a trip for weather before it begins, you choose between rescheduling (deposit transfers) or a full refund of your deposit. If a trip is cut short after fishing has begun, the day is charged proportionally at Dustin’s discretion.

Rain alone does not cancel a trip — some of the best smallmouth fishing happens in poor weather. Dress for conditions.

What’s Included

Trips include the boat, fuel, rods, reels, and tackle (G-Loomis/Shimano equipment furnished if needed), plus Dustin’s guiding. Trips do not include your Minnesota fishing license, food and drinks, or appropriate clothing — see the Rates & Services page for a suggested packing list.

Every guest age 16 or older must carry a valid Minnesota fishing license (resident or non-resident), available online from the Minnesota DNR. Guests without a valid license cannot fish, and no refund is given for time lost.

Catch Policy

We practice CPR (Catch, Photo, Release) on all guide trips. Trophy smallmouth are the future of this fishery — photograph them, measure them, and put them back.

Safety & Conduct

Life jackets are provided on board and must be worn when the guide requires it. Guests agree to follow the guide’s instructions on the water. Excessive alcohol, illegal substances, or unsafe behavior will end a trip immediately without refund.

Fishing involves inherent risks, including weather, water, hooks, and moving equipment. By booking a trip you acknowledge these risks and agree that participation is at your own risk. Please notify Dustin before the trip of any medical conditions the crew should know about.

Photos

Dustin may photograph your trip and use catch photos on this website and social media. If you’d rather not appear, just say so on the boat — no problem.

Privacy Policy

The booking form collects your name, email, phone number, and requested trip date, used only to respond to your request and delivered by email. This site does not process payments and never collects card numbers. Trip availability is checked against a calendar feed that shares no personal details, and the Instagram section is loaded from a feed service. This site does not use advertising trackers.

Contact

Questions about these terms? Call or text Dustin at 612-361-6707 or email dblissfishing@gmail.com.

Photo credits

Lake Mille Lacs photos on the About the Lake page: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0 / CC BY-SA 2.0), Doug Kerr (CC BY-SA 2.0). Images resized for web.