OAK GROVE, Minn. — What a difference a week makes. After postponing the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance’s (USA) Take Kids Ice Fishing event at Lake George Regional Park on Feb. 17 due to frigid temperatures below zero, 75 youths enjoyed a day on the ice on Feb. 23 with temperatures rising to the high 40s.
Youths in attendance received a free fishing rod and reel, and volunteers from local labor unions provided hands-on ice fishing instruction and assistance. Participants also learned about fishing techniques, species, conservation, and ice safety.
Mike Rodger, the event coordinator and a member of Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Mason’s International Association Local 633 member, has been a Clam Outdoors pro staffer for 14 years and has extensive experience volunteering at fishing events. When it came to rescheduling the event, Rodger did not take the decision lightly.
Many logistics go into an event like this and Rodger wanted to make sure the conditions allowed kids and their families to enjoy fishing. His decision paid off, and families enjoyed a fun-filled day.
“The weather really impacts fishing events,” Rodger said. “[Sunday’s] weather here in Minnesota, for this time of year, was incredible. The kids were making snowmen and snow couches. The fishing was a little slow, but that was due to the number of people on the ice making noise. It didn’t seem to bother the kids one bit—they had a blast.”
Organized by the Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council, the event was part of USA’s Work Boots on the Ground program. This flagship program brings together union members who volunteer their time and expertise to conservation projects aimed at improving public access to the outdoors, conserving wildlife habitats, restoring America’s parks, and mentoring youths in outdoor activities.
“This ice fishing event is something that takes me out of my element,” said USA Conservation Coordinator Cody Campbell, a Tennessee resident. “We don’t fish in the cold down south, and it’s amazing to see these kids get outside and enjoy the outdoors despite the chilly conditions.”
Rodger helped many first-time youth anglers during Take Kids Ice Fishing Day and explained why families should give ice fishing a try.
“I’ve been saying this for years, ice fishing is a family event that is relatively cheap, and it offers full family engagement,” he said. “You don’t need a boat. Most of the time, you can drive your vehicle right out onto the lake and easily find where the fish are.”
There were plenty of happy faces to go around on Sunday thanks to the pleasant weather and quality family time.
“It shows how much people in Minnesota love the outdoors and find ways to enjoy it year-round,” Campbell said. “Whether fishing from a boat or drilling a hole in the ice, there’s no bad time to hit the water there, and it’s great to see that same enthusiasm from both first timers and seasoned anglers.”
Rodger described why passing on fishing traditions to the next generation is important.
“There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the kids’ smiles,” he said. “Watching them catch their first fish and feel the tug of the rod is priceless. That’s why a lot of us do this. For us pro staffers, it means nothing if we don’t have kids coming up in the fishing industry because they are our future.”
Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA): The USA is a union-dedicated, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose members hunt, fish, shoot and volunteer their skills for conservation. The USA is uniting the union community through conservation to preserve North America’s outdoor heritage. For more information, visit www.unionsportsmen.org or connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Work Boots on the Ground (WBG): WBG is the USA’s flagship conservation program that brings together union members willing to volunteer their time and expertise to conservation projects that improve and enhance public access to the outdoors, conserve wildlife habitat, restore America’s parks and mentor youth in the outdoors. The USA’s Work Boots on the Ground program works closely with federal, state and local agencies and other conservation groups to provide manpower needed to complete critical projects that may otherwise go undone.
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