Kid’s Ice Fishing Event – Volunteers Needed

The Refuge and the Friends of Refuge Headwaters will be hosting our Kid’s Annual Ice Fishing event again this year and we are looking for volunteers to help with the event. This is a fun event that is scheduled for Saturday, January 27^th from 10 am to 12 pm (volunteers arrive at 9:15-9:30 am) at McNally Boat Landing on the Prairie Island Drive in Winona, MN. Children ages 6 through 13 and their families are invited to join in this free event that will also help celebrate our 100^th Anniversary of the Refuge. There is a heated tent to take the chill off and a port-o-potty available. We will need help with registration, handing out cookies and hot cocoa in the tent, help with drilling holes, and help with fishing. Please let Stephanie know if you are able to help out at this event and what tasks you’d be willing to help with – [email protected]. We appreciate your help!

Press Release about the event:

The annual Kid’s Ice Fishing Event this year will help celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and is scheduled for Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the McNally Boat Landing on Prairie Island Drive, Winona, MN. This event is co-sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Friends of the Refuge Headwaters.

Celebrate with us! Children ages 6 through 13 and their families are invited to join in this free event. Children will be paired with experienced ice anglers who will assist them with a hands-on ice fishing experience. Bait, tackle and fishing rods will be available, however, participants are encouraged to bring their own ice fishing supplies if they have them and a bucket or folding chair to sit on while watching their bobber. Children should also be dressed appropriately for ice fishing; hats, mittens, snow pants, boots and winter coats. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided in a heated tent.

All children must be registered for the event by a parent or guardian. A registration station will be available at the McNally Boat Landing. If the event is cancelled due to weather or unsafe ice conditions, an announcement will be made on the Winona Radio group stations in the morning.

The McNally Boat Landing is located on Prairie Island Road, between Prairie Island Campground and the Minnesota City Boat Club (GPS coordinates: Easting 605183, Northing 4881470). The McNally Boat Landing will be closed to public entry during this event.

For additional information, contact Wendy Woyczik at [email protected] or call (507) 494-6229 or visit www.fws.gov/refuge/upper-mississippi-river.