April 2009 Speaker - IL

Eric is the owner of Big Fish Guide Service located in West Allis WI. Eric is a full time inland fishing guide and Great Lakes Charter Capitan. Eric guides for just about every fresh water fish species available here in Wisconsin, with an emphasis on catching “Big Fish”. He is considered by many to be one of the best multi-specie guides in the Midwest. Eric’s knowledge and ability to consistently put his clients on big fish separates Eric from much of his competition. He is one of the highest skilled guides in just about every application modern fishing has to offer.  

More importantly Eric is an educator; he takes the time to explain certain small details that have significant impacts to landing more and bigger fish. 

Eric also owns one of the largest fishing websites in the state, www.wibigfish.com which gives free daily fishing reports to anglers.  Eric also runs one of the states largest ice guiding services. 
 
He has appeared numerous times on the nationally televised show In-Fisherman T.V. and Magazine, John Gillespie’s Wisconsin’s Waters and Woods, Babe Winkleman Outdoors, Midwest Outdoors, and Outdoor Wisconsin. 
 
Eric has a world record angling achievement for catching a rainbow trout (Steelhead) from the National Fresh Water Hall of fame in 1996. Eric has also won numerous professional fishing tournaments. 
Some of the species Eric fishes for during his normal guiding season are: Walleye, Muskie, Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Pan fish, Salmon, Steelhead, Catfish, Brown Trout and inland Lake Trout. 
 
Eric credits much of his passion to fishing to his father Wayne Haataja and Grandfather Joseph Kolfler. He also credits his wife Natasha for allowing him to pursue his dream job.Most importantly Eric is married and father to Cal (7) and Hanna(4) Cammille (1).
 
Some of Eric sponsor’s are: Lund Boats, Mercury Motors, Motor guide, Lowrance, Frabill, Jiffy Augers, St Croix Rods, Vexilar, Pure-Fishing, H30 Sunglasses, Custom Spin and Jigs, M-W Marine.