OAK GROVE, Minn. – The Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) hosted 97 kids and their families at the 2026 Take Kids Ice Fishing event on Feb. 21 at Lake George Regional Park.
Above-average temperatures across Minnesota leading up to the event raised concerns about ice conditions for attendees. To ensure everyone’s safety, Mike Rodger, the lead volunteer and Cement Masons Local 633 member, transported attendees from the parking lot to the ice fishing houses by a UTV pulling a trailer full of hay bales.
Once participants were on the ice, union volunteers had everything prepared to give them a memorable, hands-on outdoor experience. Heaters warmed the fishing houses, holes were drilled through the ice with augers, and equipment ranging from fish finders to floating bobbers was ready and waiting.
To most people, fishing means warm weather, calm lakes and a boat, but Keith Larson, president of Twin City Concrete Pumping Company, sees ice fishing as more of a community event.
“I have a lake home, and I fish in the summer but nothing like I fish in the winter,” he said. “I enjoy being on the ice more than I enjoy fishing on the boat. There are so many bodies of water that you can easily access in the winter when it’s frozen. You can move around on the lake more efficiently and fish with more people.”
Union volunteers representing Cement Plasters Local 633, Laborers’ Local 563 and Painters Local 82 were joined by the Anoka County Sheriff’s Department and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
“All the volunteers have been hosting this event and several others like it for many years,” Maggie Sager, USA conservation coordinator, said. “To them, it’s all about giving back to the community and creating opportunities for everyone to get hooked on fishing. It was awesome to see them all work together so in sync as if they’re on a jobsite and help so many people through their passion and dedication for the outdoors.”
Rodger described the event as a chance to connect with trades outside the workplace.
“It’s a brotherhood outside the everyday hustle of pouring concrete and on-the-job stresses,” Rodger said. “We have fun, cook hot dogs, and seeing the smiles on these kids’ faces is priceless.”
Sager had meaningful interactions with families throughout the day.
“I got to spend some time with a grandfather and his granddaughter,” Sager said. “They came to the event last year and had so much fun he said they had to come back again. This year, they brought out the girl’s mom, dad, and dog, and turned it into a whole family event. It was so fun to see them get to spend time together as a family outdoors and on the ice. They’re planning on being there again next year and will be bringing the cousins too.”
Each youth took home a free rod and reel, giving them the opportunity to continue ice fishing long after the event. At the end of the day, whether participants caught a fish or not, Rodger said what mattered most was knowing the experience made a lasting impact.
“I got a text message from an individual that said to me, ‘Emmit said it was the best day of his life. Thank you,’” Rodger said. “I’m this hard-core, tough guy, cement finisher but there were some tears in my eyes.”
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, X, YouTube 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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