Inaugural Maple Grove Mayor’s Ice Fishing Tournament a ‘Reel’ Success
Frigid temperatures didn’t deter people from coming out to Maple Grove to catch some fish and help support a good cause on Saturday, Jan. 31.
Hundreds came out to North Arbor Lake in Maple Grove for the inaugural Maple Grove Mayor’s Ice Fishing Tournament.
The event, which was a partnership between Experience Maple Grove and the Maple Grove Lions, was designed to bring the community together during the long winter months.
Organizers say the fish were cooperating, too.
The DNR stocked the lake with trout, and the first catch was recorded just two minutes after the event started. All told, anglers caught 110 fish.
Inaugural Maple Grove Mayor’s Ice Fishing Tournament reeled in about 450 participants.
“It’s so exciting, so rewarding, to No. 1, put on an event that the community clearly wants,” said Jay Boatman of the Maple Grove Lions. “We have about 450 people out there fishing [Saturday]. It’s also so fun to see everybody within the community come together to make the event happen.”
Boatman says the event raised about $20,000 for the Maple Grove Lions. Proceeds from the event will help fund programs related to youth scholarships, food assistance, police and fire, veterans, and vision.
But while the tournament was a win for the community, not everyone had luck with their lure, including the mayor himself.
“I caught absolutely nothing out there. I’ll admit to that,” said Maple Grove Mayor Mark Steffenson. “That’s fine. Everybody around me was catching fish and that’s what I was excited for.”
Organizers say given the huge turnout for the inaugural event, they plan to make this fishing tournament an annual tradition.
The Minnesota DNR stocked North Arbor Lake with trout for the Mayor’s Ice Fishing Tournament.
Related: Maple Grove Selected To Host ‘Hockey Day Minnesota’ in 2028
