About
About Captain Dan Kirk
Who Is This “Captain Kirk” Guy Anyway?
Captain Dan Kirk is a licensed Wisconsin fishing guide and U.S. Coast Guard certified captain who specializes in guided fishing trips on the Fox River, Wolf River, and Lake Winnebago.
Captain Kirk guides only one or two people at a time to provide a personal, relaxed, high-quality fishing experience. (No 3+ person trips.)
If you’re looking for a guide who is patient, experienced, safety-focused, and genuinely excited when you catch a fish — you’re in the right place.
A Lifetime of Fishing in Wisconsin
Dan Kirk began fishing as a young boy. His father took him fishing for white bass on the Wolf River, and by age 8 his family had built a cottage on a private lake near Neshkoro, Wisconsin.
If the fish were biting, Dan was fishing.
If the fish weren’t biting… Dan was still fishing.
This is where he learned to catch largemouth bass, work topwater baits, fish floating Rapalas, and sometimes just relax with a crawler under a bobber. He still remembers the first time he caught crappies on artificial bait — and he’s been hooked ever since.
Discovering Walleye & Jig Fishing
As an adult, Dan discovered vertical jigging for walleyes on a fly-in fishing trip to Canada with friends. That trip changed everything.
He came home addicted to jig fishing for walleyes and began mastering the techniques on his home waters in Northeast Wisconsin.
Today, Captain Kirk specializes in:
- Vertical jigging
- Casting jigs
- Dragging jigs
- Teaching clients why and how these techniques work
He guides primarily on:
- Fox River (De Pere)
- Wolf River (Fremont area)
- Lake Winnebago (NO TROLLING)
Faith, Nature, and the Outdoors
Dan feels closest to God when he’s outdoors — and always has.
He remembers sitting in a tree as a boy, watching birds, feeling the breeze, seeing a rabbit hop by underneath him, and being deeply aware of God’s creation.
That same appreciation for nature is something he loves to share with his clients today.
Come experience the outdoors, God’s creation, and great fishing — from the deck of a fishing boat.
Why the Captain’s License Matters
Dan earned his United States Coast Guard Captain’s License in 2017.
While not all Wisconsin waters require a USCG license, fishing with a certified captain gives you extra peace of mind when it comes to:
- Safety
- Training
- Professional standards
- Legal compliance on federal waters
Captain Kirk’s goal is to provide a safe, relaxed, fun, and productive day on the water — every trip.
Yes… He’s Also a Professional Entertainer 🎪
Captain Kirk isn’t just a fishing guide — he’s also a full-time professional entertainer and speaker.
Dan has been performing across the country since 1993 as a comic juggler, entertainer, and motivational speaker. When the shows are done, he’s usually looking for a place to go fishing.
Some highlights of his entertainment career include:
- Cover story in Guideposts Magazine
- Appeared on America’s Got Talent (Season 3)
- Featured in a commercial starring Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Extra in a GEICO commercial
- Performed for the Green Bay Packers organization
- Over 10 appearances at Door County Fair & Vilas County Fair
- Performed educational assemblies in schools across WI, IL, IA, IN, OH, TX, AZ, GA, TN, NE
- Performs for churches, Salvation Army events, festivals, fairs, and even worked on Holland America Cruise Line in Alaska
This background means your trip will be:
✅ Relaxed
✅ Fun
✅ Encouraging
✅ Never awkward or boring
The Personal Stuff
Captain Dan Kirk lives in Menasha, Wisconsin with his wife Susan and their dog Bobber, just minutes from Lake Winnebago and Little Lake Butte des Morts.
They have three grown children and four grandchildren.
📺 See Real Fishing Trips on YouTube
Watch real Wisconsin fishing trips on Dan’s YouTube channel:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/@dankirkoutdoors
✅ Captain Kirk’s Fair Trip Guarantee
Captain Kirk expects to put fish in the boat. Nobody likes getting skunked.
If we fish in safe, reasonable conditions and do not boat a single fish, you do not owe the remaining balance for the trip.
No Fish. No Balance Due.
📞 Book Your Trip
Ready to go fishing?
👉 For guide trip rates and booking info, CLICK HERE
📞 Or call/text: 920-722-1881