Northfield High School Fishing Team

01/03/2026

Be a Craig!

If there’s anyone who knows how to turn a passion into a program that changes kids’ lives, it’s Craig Johnson, the founder and coach of the Northfield High School Fishing Team. Craig started the team in 2018, and has built it into a thriving, competitive, and community-supported program that introduces students to a lifelong skill and an incredible sport.

Craig LOVES to fish, but even more than that, he loves watching youth discover the thrill of it. His anglers compete in tournaments where teams of two high school students and an adult boat captain spend 6–7 hours on the water chasing the five biggest bass for weigh-in. The teams also compete in virtual tournaments for bass, muskie, and other species. Under Craig’s leadership, anglers learn advanced techniques, develop confidence on the water, and earn opportunities to compete at the regional, state, and even national level, including Hunter Larson & Oren Alexander's qualification for Nationals next summer!

Craig is deeply connected to all things fishing in Minnesota. He partners with associations, creates fishing field trips for NHS students, fundraises tirelessly with local businesses, and, of course, can be found casting a line himself whenever he can. His dedication has helped many students discover a passion that lasts far beyond high school. His passion, leadership, and commitment make the program what it is.

Be a Craig.

Lead with passion. Build something meaningful. And get more kids on the water.

If you are interested in registering your 8th - 11th grader in the upcoming spring/summer program, click below. There will be an informational parent meeting on 2/2 at 7 pm in the Northfield HS Auditorium.

To learn more or to register: https://northfieldschools.ce.eleyo.com/course/2217/winter-spring-2026/bass-fishing-team #4807-w26a

09/07/2025

🎣 Northfield Fishing Team Shines at State! 🎣

Huge congratulations to Larson & Alexander for reeling in a 10th place finish at the State tournament this weekend! 🔟🏆

Also a big shoutout to Schmidt & Bradley who placed 38th and hit a personal best with a 14 lb bag! 🎉🐟 That’s their highest weight yet — awesome work!

Way to represent, boys! 💪 Proud of the effort and sportsmanship from the whole Northfield Fishing Team this season! 💛🖤

09/07/2025

Check out the LIVE results as the State Tourney continues on its 2nd day today!

https://www.minnesotajuniorbassnation.com/

09/05/2025

Hooked on success! 🎣 Best of luck to Schmidt & Bradley and Larson & Alexander as they compete at the State Fishing Tournament this weekend in Alexandria. 🐟👏

08/19/2025

Thank you Northfield Public Schools Community Education for the great write up and recognition!! We are so proud of not only our teams, but our community as a whole and all the other great sports out there 💪

This week we are highlighting our Northfield HS BASS FISHING TEAM! Backed by the generous support of more than 20 business sponsors each year, The Cannon River Outdoors Club, and strong leadership with Craig Johnson at the helm, Northfield Community Education has proudly offered the fishing program since 2019. See below for an array of 2025 season results, and a list of all the local sponsors.

NHS anglers caught the largest bass in all 3 tournaments! Thanks to our local sponsors, the anglers who caught the two largest fish each received a brand-new rod and reel.

Tournament #1 - Mississippi
Ryan Zahratka - 4.95 pounds
Charlie Johnson 2nd largest NHS fish --3.23 pounds

Tournament #2 - St. Croix
Lain Kuhlman - 3.40 pounds
Ajay Trnka 2nd largest NHS fish -2.76 pounds

Tournament #3 - Tetonka/Sakatah
Jake Peters - 3.91 pounds
Lain Kuhlman 2nd largest NHS fish -3.32 pounds

FINAL SEASON RESULTS
https://www.minnesotajuniorbassnation.com/gse-opens

REGIONAL August 10- 4 TEAMS PARTICIPATED
https://www.minnesotajuniorbassnation.com/page/show/8386307-regional-qualifiers

STATE Sept 6/7 2 TEAMS GOING - SO FAR
https://www.minnesotajuniorbassnation.com/hschamp25

2025 Sponsors:
Cannon River Outdoors Club
Mahowald Mattress Corp. Donation
Valley Autohaus Donation
NCC Builders
Cardinal CG Company
Four Corners Construction Inc.
Professional Dental Group
Benjamin Bus, Inc.
Johnson Dental
Franek Electric, Inc.
Kerry Hanifl
Knecht's Nurseries & Landscaping
Butuminous Materials, LLC
Heritage
Frandsen Bank & Trust
Lorence's Raspberries, LLC
Ziggy's LLC
LaCanne's Marien, Inc.
J.R.'s Appliance Disposal, INC.
CarTime
Women Anglers of Minnesota
Northfield Booster Club
Downtown Bicyles LLC
Merchants Bank
Little Village Early Learning Center
NPK Woodcraft LLC Sponsorship

08/15/2025

Great article about some great peeps 🙌🎣🗞️

Thanks to a fifth place finish at the Minnesota Junior BASS South Regional Qualifier tournament Sunday, Aug. 10, Northfield’s Ben Bradley and Levi Schmidt will join teammates Hunter Larson, Oren

08/11/2025

🎣 Northfield High School Fishing Team Update 🎣

We had 5 of our teams out on Cedar Lake in Annandale this past weekend for Regionals – great job to all of our anglers! 👏

Big congrats to Levi & Ben who placed in the Top 10 and are moving on to State! 🏆🐟

Next up: State in Alexandria – September 6th & 7th.
🎯 Good luck to Schmidt & Bradley and Larson & Alexander as they compete at the State Tournament! 💪🎣

Let’s go Raiders!

07/31/2025

🎣 That’s a wrap on the regular season for the Northfield Fishing Team! Our third and final tournament took place on Lake Tetonka/Sakatah in Waterville, and our anglers went out strong! Huge shoutout to Jacob Peters for catching Big Bass of the entire tournament at 3.91 lbs, and Lane Kuhlman for landing the 2nd biggest bass for NHS at 3.32 lbs — nice work, boys! 🐟💪

We’re thrilled to announce the Top 10 Teams who will advance to the State Championship next weekend on Cedar Lake in Annandale! 🎉 Best of luck to all our Northfield teams!

A HUGE thank you to all of our amazing sponsors for supporting the team throughout the season! Special thanks to:
💧 College City Beverage, Inc. for water and hydration drinks
🥪 Just Food Co-op and Family Fare for providing food for all anglers and captains
🎒 Minnesota Orthodontics for the awesome drawstring bags that we packed with the goodies

Thank you to all the anglers, families, and especially our incredible captains for making this a season to remember. Let’s finish strong at State! 🏆

07/24/2025

Make sure to stop by Champion Sports tomorrow during Northfield Crazy Days and check out their new Waggle hats!!

They have an awesome selection, and we gotta say, we are a little partial to a certain design ☺️🎣🧢

07/18/2025

🎣 Northfield High School Bass Fishing Team Update

The Raiders hosted the Minnesota Junior BASS Greater Southeast Open #2 on Monday at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, with 13 Northfield teams competing against anglers from Pine Island, Kasson-Mantorville, and Wabasha-Kellogg.

Top local finishes included:
• Hunter Larson & Oren Alexander – 4th place (5.82 lbs)
• Easton Truman & Jake Larsen – 5th place (5.74 lbs)
• Lain Kuhlman & Charlie Johnson – 6th place (5.33 lbs)
• Kuhlman also landed the tournament’s biggest bass at 3.40 lbs!

This tournament is one of three in the Greater Southeast series, with points helping teams qualify for the Minnesota Junior BASS State Tournament later this summer.

Next up: Open #3 on July 28 at Tetonka and Sakatah Lakes near Waterville.

Way to go, Raiders!

06/18/2025

🎣 Happy National Fishing Day!

We had a great time last week at our Take A Kid Fishing event, where some of our anglers partnered with kids to share the joy of this amazing sport. Watching the next generation light up with each cast was a reminder of why we love fishing so much!

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of the tug, the peaceful sound of the water, and the joy of a day spent outside. Whether you're on the lake, river, or casting from shore—today’s the day to celebrate the sport we all love!

06/10/2025

🎣 Northfield High School Fishing Team Update! 🐟

Today was a big day — our first Bass Tournament of the season on the mighty Mississippi River! 🌊

We had an awesome showing with 14 Northfield teams out of 19 total competing. Huge shoutout to Hunter Larson and Oren Alexander for snagging 2nd place! 🚤💨

And let’s hear it for Ryan Zahratka who landed the Biggest Bass of the day! 🏆