Field Editor Cory Schmidt wrote his first story for In-Fisherman publications at age 16. Over the next 20 plus years, he’s authored dozens of articles for In-Fisherman, the company’s annual guides, and he has coordinated several book projects including In-Fisherman’s Critical Concepts series. He also is featured on In-Fisherman Radio and Ice Fishing Guide TV.

As an avid multi-species angler, Schmidt fervently pursues anything with fins and gills, though he especially enjoys probing rivers for muskies, catfish, carp, and more. Although he relishes setting hooks and torqueing rods, he’s most interested in the discovery process—finding overlooked pockets of fish in new and intriguing locations. He has, for example, made many discoveries about the pelagic habits of walleyes, pike, muskies and other fish in natural lakes. He has long been a student of aquatic ecology, and is passionate about the conservation of these resources.

Schmidt has worked in many capacities within the sportfishing industry, beginning as a fly-fishing guide in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. While completing his education, he managed a retail fishing store and wrote outdoor columns in local and regional publications.

He holds a B.S. degree in natural resources management from Colorado State University, and worked as a fisheries assistant with the Minnesota DNR. He’s also worked as a fishing guide and marketing manager for a sportfishing equipment manufacturer. Today, he lives with his wife in rural Minnesota and works as a full-time writer and industry consultant.