Hall of fame fishing guide Tom Neustrom dies at 77

GRAND RAPIDS — Fishing guide and radio host Tom Neustrom of Grand Rapids died Sunday, July 5, at his home. He was 77.

Neustrom was ingrained in the Minnesota fishing scene.

A distinguished fishing guide for over five decades, he guided anglers on over 35 Minnesota lakes. He is a part of both the National Freshwater and Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame. Multiple organizations recognized him as one of the top walleye fishing guides in the country.

Outside of guiding, Neustrom shared his expertise in other ways.

He served on advisory committees like the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Roundtable, Walleye Advisory Committee and Red Lake Advisory Council.

Jeff Sundin is a fellow Grand Rapids area fishing guide. He remembered Neustrom on the KAXE Morning Show.

“He was a good role model for a lot of folks,” Sundin said. “He spent a lot of time volunteering with different DNR groups and was very active in a lot of different ways besides taking people fishing.”

Neustrom helped start MN-FISH in 2018. The nonprofit advocates for policies that protect Minnesota Lakes, improve public access and preserve Minnesota’s fishing traditions.

Larry Hanson is a fishing guide and was Neustrom's co-host on “Reel Talk Outdoors” on BOB FM in the Twin Cities. He wrote in a social media post that Neustrom "wasn’t just about catching a fish. He was about protecting the resource, sharing the experience and making every outing memorable.”

"The Minnesota fishing world has lost a true legend," Hanson wrote.

Sundin said Neustrom's advocacy is what’s needed in fishing today.

"People like Tom: stand up, get involved,” Sundin said. “That's what's going to make all the difference in the world."

In addition to "Reel Talk Outdoors," Neustrom was a regular contributor to Outdoor News and In-Fisherman. Since 1992, he hosted the weekly outdoor and fishing radio show “Guide's Corner” on KMFY in Grand Rapids.

Neustrom moved to Grand Rapids in 1979 after 11 years working as a Chicago police officer. He worked for the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office, retiring in 2005.

In a 2025 interview with In-Fisherman, Neustrom discussed his decision to move to Itasca County.

He “wanted to go up where my love was, which was in the north woods.”

In his final submission to Outdoor News, Neustrom wrote: “Being a fishing guide is not for everyone, but for me, it is what I love to do.”

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at TimberLake Lodge Event Center in Grand Rapids. Visitation begins at 11 a.m.