In 2014, we created an ice fishing tournament circuit—Minnesota Made Outdoors—which has grown to 30 teams with some of the best anglers the state has to offer! These anglers are our volunteers! In 2020, we partnered with Hometown Hero Outdoors to get 50+ veterans, active military, and law enforcement out on the ice in a tournament-style setting and shower them with an appreciation for what they do. We still run this yearly for them!

Through the years, we have been looking for a way to give back even more. We couldn't decide on anything for a couple of years that made us really want to take the jump into it. Until the day we saw a post from a kid! It outlined all the things he still needs to become a tournament angler: equipment, proper clothing, etc. He had each one listed with the expected cost. And right after his wish list was a plan of action! He laid out how he was going to pay for all these—cutting grass, picking up dog poop, making/selling Firestarter's, etc., and how much he expected to make off each activity.

The lightbulb went off!

This is our mission. To get kids out fishing and through that, we can teach them how life truly works. You need to set goals, start small and dream big, and then put in the necessary work to make it happen. Through years of coaching hockey - it was never really about the X's and O's, but it was about the relationships being built and the guidance being offered and that's how we want our free clinics to work.

Yes, we will teach the kids things like jigging cadence, reading electronics, safety, wildlife conservation, selective harvest, reading a lake map, choosing colors/sizes based on the lake, and a whole lot of other things we have learned through the years. But, in between all that, we will listen and make a connection and be there for the kids as a friend and mentor. We will teach them that in a lot of ways fishing and life aren't all that different if you want to achieve success.

Our number one rule in Minnesota Made is to be a good person. We will echo that through Future Anglers of Minnesota and take it many steps further. Having good role models in kids' lives is a huge step in the right direction and we intend to deliver on that promise.

We are excited to start making an impact on lakes across this great State!!!

"Get Em' Hooked!"

March 2nd Free Kids Ice Fishing Clinic on Pokegama Lake Pine City, MN

By Future Anglers of Minnesota

March 2nd Free Kids Ice Fishing Clinic on Pokegama Lake Pine City, MN

This Clinic is limited to 20 kids and each kids will be required to sign up and have a ticket in order to attend. Present your ticket (paper or digital) at the check in table on arrival.