Minn Kota and Humminbird Merge

With the recent merger of Minn Kota and Humminbird, these sibling brands are combined under the Minn Kota name. Minn KotaBoth Minn Kota and Humminbird have occupied the boats and the hearts of American anglers-including saltwater fishermen-for many decades. But now, these sibling brands are changing. Or should I say merging.

For most saltwater boating anglers, Minn Kota is virtually synonymous for its market-leading electric trolling motor systems-including the saltwater-engineered Riptide models-as well as shallow-water anchors. Humminbird is one of the longest-standing names in sonar and, more recently, chart plotter and radar systems.

These brands have long been aligned with each other. Both are brands of the Johnson Outdoors parent company and have shared control and monitoring networks. As of fall of 2026, these lines were merged into one reimagined stable of products and systems branded largely under the Minn Kota name and incorporating an expanded new network of advanced angling-oriented boat accessories, electronics, and control systems.

Why the big change? From my point of view, it simplifies the purchasing, installation and networking process. Anything that makes these processes less confusing and easier is good marketing. But why go with the Minn Kota brand name and not Humminbird? To me, Minn Kota possesses immense popularity versus Humminbird, especially among saltwater anglers. So, it was a natural to get the nod.

New Minn Kota MFDs will be "powered by Humminbird' sonar and imaging. Minn Kota

Humminbird will be phased into the background as the Minn Kota brand is reshaped to include a full line of Minn Kota multifunction displays and transducers, replacing most Humminbird products. At the same time, the newly introduced Minn Kota MFDs will reflect much of the sonar technology found in the erstwhile Humminbird units, and in fact will be marketed under the tag line, "Powered by Humminbird."

"By bringing together two of the most trusted names in fishing, we are delivering one integrated system that makes technology simpler and the on-water experience better so anglers can stay focused on what matters: fishing," says Khalaf M. Khalaf, sr. group vice president, fishing, for Johnson Outdoors. "We are a fishing company, and as we move our business forward, every decision is made with anglers in mind."

Humminbird will live on, but within the Minn Kota MFDs in the form of Humminbird Imaging, bringing its sonar and imaging technology to power not only in the new Minn Kota MFDs, but as part of a full-boat fishing system.

"As a result, what Minn Kota sonar system sees, its trolling motors will do, turning sonar and mapping information into intuitive navigation and precise boat positioning," according to the Johnson Outdoors news announcement. "Anglers get on the water to catch fish, spend time with family and friends, challenge themselves, and have a great time-not to manage technology," says Betsy Radue, director, fishing brand management at Johnson Outdoors. "By building a simpler, more seamless system, we're making our technology more intuitive, so anglers can focus less on managing their gear and more on fishing."

That said, existing Humminbird products will continue to be supported under the new Minn Kota brand. Compatible current-generation products, including Humminbird Xplore, Apex and Solix G3 fish finders, can receive software updates that bring new Minn Kota system capabilities to current Humminbird units.

So, what will anglers see under the new under the Minn Kota name. Here's what to expect.

With the merger comes a new generation of Minn Kota's Riptide saltwater-rated trolling motors. Minn Kota

New Minn Kota X Series MFDs will combine fishfinder and navigation capabilities in five display sizes, including 7-, 9-, 10-, 12- and 16-inch touchscreen display models. The 7- and 16-inch screens are totally new, while the other display sizes previously existed as Humminbird products.

As part of the new branding strategy, Minn Kota is rolling out a new generation of its trusted and popular Ultrex, Ulterra, Terrova, and Powerdrive bow-mount electric trolling motors. For those of us who fish the brine, the rollout will also include new-generation saltwater-rated, GPS-guided Riptide versions, including the Riptide Terrova, Riptide Instinct, and Riptide Powerdrive.

A major part of the new system will include the Minn Kota Fishing App on the MFDs, designed to provide control of trolling motors, MFDs, shallow-water anchors, and mapping on and off the water. This app replaces the previous One-Boat Network App that provides integration of Minn Kota and Humminbird systems.

Management of Minn Kota trolling motors, sonar, charts and waypoints is right at an angler's fingertips. This eliminates unnecessary steps between seeing information and taking action. Anglers can draw a route, respond to depth changes and coordinate boat positioning through one seamlessly integrated fishing system.

New integrated-system capabilities of the Minn Kota Fishing App will include Draw & Navigate. This allows for use of one finger to draw a course on a Minn Kota display, and the trolling motor will automatically follow that course. Compatible Minn Kota MFDs and trolling motors will also feature wireless integration, allowing them to communicate without requiring an Ethernet cable-or any cable at all.

The new Minn Kota network system also can monitor changing depths and help keep the boat and equipment out of potentially hazardous shallow water to prevent boat damage or threaten the safety of the crew. Minn Kota is branding this as Intelligent Depth Control.

The Minn Kota Fishing App on its MFDs provide control of trolling motors, MFDs, shallow-water anchors, and mapping on and off the water. Minn Kota

Minn Kota revolutionized fishing with the introduction of Spot-Lock years ago.Now it has further enhanced this extremely popular fishing feature to provide up to a 50 percent tighter hold on compatible trolling motors, compared to previous Minn Kota trolling motor models.

In addition,compatible electric-steer brushless Minn Kota motors will provide a faster, more familiar and instant-responsive steering experience, with a new foot pedal control system.

The new Minn Kota system also has integrated control of Raptor and Talon shallow-water anchors, using the Minn Kota Fishing App.

Minn Kota is on track to introduce additional products and features, all expected in 2027. Keep your eyes open for a second family of multifunction displays-the Minn Kota A Series. There will also be new Terrova Quest and Riptide Terrova Quest trolling motors introduced in 2027.

If you are looking forward to seeing the Minn Kota version of Live Sonar, worry not. That also is scheduled for 2027, as is Minn Kota 360 Imaging-all part of the "Powered by Humminbird" concept.

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