Isaacs Duo Carries on Family Fishing Tradition at Brookville Lake

Growing up in Connersville, Luke Isaacs learned early that some of life’s best memories happen outdoors. For him, that meant time spent hunting, fishing, and traveling to sporting events with his father, Mark.

In a small town where outdoor activities were often the main form of recreation, those experiences created a strong bond between the two.

“If it wasn’t dad coaching me in baseball or basketball, it was us taking road trips to tournaments or going out hunting and fishing together,” Luke said. “Those experiences really brought us closer together.”

Fishing, in particular, runs deep in the family. It’s a tradition passed down through generations. Luke first cast a fishing pole when he was just two years old, and by the time he was four or five, he was already fishing in eight-hour tournaments alongside his dad.

“My dad really got me into fishing,” Luke said. “He would take me out on the boat all the time when I was a kid. I remember joking with him one day that I was going to fish or play baseball for a job someday. I had no idea that it would actually come true.”

Luke describes his relationship with his father as one built on trust, support, and shared experiences. Mark and Luke’s mother, Angie, have been married for more than 20 years, and Luke says his father played a big role in shaping who he is today.

“Dad always had my back,” Luke said. “He taught me the old-school way of doing things, and that’s something you don’t see as much anymore. I’m fortunate to have learned from him.”

Today, Luke has turned that lifelong passion into a profession. In 2020, at just 20 years old, he launched Isaacs Guiding Service, a fishing guide business based at Brookville Lake.

Starting a business during the pandemic came with its challenges.

“I realized quickly it wasn’t just about fishing,” Luke said. “There’s a whole business side to it, money, scheduling, and learning how everything works. I had to learn fast.”

Despite the challenges, Luke stayed focused on his dream. While he says he had several talents growing up, including sports and music, but fishing was always his true passion.

“I had a lot of different roads I could have taken,” he said. “But I knew fishing was what I wanted to do. The best advice I can give people is to go for their dream, no matter what anyone says. I’m living proof it can happen.”

Luke’s guide service offers professional fishing trips on Brookville Lake ranging from four to eight hours. Groups of one to five people can book trips, and Luke often runs multiple outings each day during the busy season.

Clients don’t need any fishing experience to participate.

“All the equipment is provided—rods, reels, bait, and the boat,” Luke said. “Most importantly, we provide the knowledge. Our goal is to teach people how to fish and help them catch walleyes at Brookville Lake.”

Walleye fishing is Luke’s specialty. Brookville Lake is widely recognized as one of the best walleye fisheries in Indiana and even supplies fish for stocking other lakes across the state.

“There’s just something about the tug and hearing the drag start ripping on an ultralight pole,” he said. “Walleye are challenging to catch, which makes it even more exciting.”

While walleye are the main focus, Luke also guides for a variety of other freshwater species, including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, muskie, northern pike, perch, striper, and catfish.

Spring and fall are the busiest times on the lake. According to Luke, April through June offers some of the best fishing for numbers of fish, while the fall season, late September through November, is known for producing trophy-sized walleyes.

“Fall is a great time to hook into some really big fish,” he said.

This year marks an especially meaningful milestone for the business. For the first time, Luke has hired his father, Mark, to work alongside him as a guide.

“For a long time, I didn’t hire anyone because I wanted to make sure the quality stayed high,” Luke said. “You need someone with a lot of experience, and my dad has fished Brookville his entire life. I learned from him.”

Working together on the water now brings their relationship full circle.

“Not a lot of people can say they hired their dad to help run their business,” Luke said. “It makes this year really special.”

While guiding anglers to fish is a big part of the job, Luke says the real reward comes from the people he meets.

“I meet people from all over the world,” he said. “But my favorite moments are seeing the smile on a kid’s face when they catch a big walleye or watching a dad enjoy seeing his child catch their first fish.”

Outside of the guide service, Luke and Mark still enjoy many of the same activities they always have, hunting, playing music, and even bowling when they have the time.

For those interested in booking a trip with Isaacs Guiding Service, Luke can be reached by phone or text at 765-265-5317. The business also maintains a Facebook page, Isaacs Guiding Service Brookville Lake, where anglers can learn more about trips and fishing conditions.

For Luke, what started as childhood outings with his father has grown into a career and, now, a family business.

“It all started with dad and me out on the water,” Luke said. “Now we get to do it together as a job.”