The event took place on Lake Winona in front of the Lake Park Lodge in Winona, Minnesota from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Approximately 45 kids between the ages of 6-13, participated in ice fishing, a fish identification and minor regulations activity, and a safety icepick building activity.

Children first learned how to safely ice fish and the benefits of certain types of warm clothing. Children then were split into groups with a group leader and went ice fishing for about an hour before heading in for a lunch. While inside the Lake Park Lodge, children were able to ?ice fish? through a table for about 15 different species of cutout fish images. With these ?fish? children were able to identify them, measure them and decided if the fish could be legally kept. Gummy worms were given as prizes for participating in the activity.

Children were also able to construct safety ice picks with the help of an adult. These ice picks were made with two wood handles, a nail protruding out of each handle, and a cord connecting the picks. These picks could be used to pull someone out of a hole if they accidentally fell through the ice. After lunch the kids headed back outside to fish for another hour or two. Children had the opportunity to try fishing in and outside of several different kinds of ice fishing shanties.

Although the fishing was slow, the day was a success with several of the children catching some nice bluegills and black crappies. At the end of the day prizes such as ice fishing poles and fishing tackle were raffled off. Every participant went home happy because everyone received something to take home such as a photo of themselves, sunglasses, key chains, etc. This public outreach event was a great way for the USFWS to give something back to the community in which they work in and for the public to learn about natural resources benefits gained from the service.