Announcing the KA Walleyes on Ice Fishing Tournament
Walleyes and Minnesota lakes go together like the Minnesota State Fair and food on a stick.
To help preserve that heritage, plans were underway for Kraus-Anderson Walleyes on Ice, or KAWOI. The first annual live-release ice-fishing tournament was scheduled for February 11, 2017, on Lake Minnetonka in Spring Park, Minnesota.
KAWOI Chair Aaron Groshong shared details about the event, which was supported by the Kraus-Anderson Community Foundation.
What Is Kraus-Anderson Walleyes on Ice?
Aaron Groshong: KAWOI is a competitive, live-release ice-fishing tournament that raises funds to support sustainable walleye populations in local lakes.
The annual event was planned to become one of Minnesota’s premier ice-fishing tournaments. Through sponsorships and entry fees, KAWOI offered an opportunity to raise money for a charitable cause and give back to the Twin Cities community.
Who Was the Charity Partner?
Groshong: The event beneficiary was the Westonka Walleye Program, a nonprofit organization funded entirely through private donations.
Stocking yearling walleye in Lake Minnetonka. Photo courtesy of Westonka Walleye Program.
Its mission is to sustain and improve the harvestable walleye fishery on Lake Minnetonka and other Twin Cities lakes. With approval from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and support from private donors, the organization stocked 8-inch to 13-inch walleye in Lake Minnetonka.
Why Was Lake Minnetonka Selected?
Groshong: The Westonka Walleye Program was created as a community response to declining natural walleye reproduction caused by shoreline development and invasive species.
Why Was This Cause Important?
Groshong: I watched an episode of Minnesota Bound while developing the event concept and thought it was a great program.
After speaking with the beneficiary, I learned that the organization simply wanted to improve Minnesota lakes. The overall KAWOI goal was to help Lake Minnetonka support natural reproduction and move toward a healthier condition. The broader goal was to support more Minnesota lakes through similar efforts.
What Were the Event’s Fundraising Goals?
Groshong: During its first three years, the Westonka Walleye Program stocked nearly 30,000 walleye in Lake Minnetonka.
KAWOI’s fundraising goal was $40,000, which could support the stocking of 20,000 walleye.
How Did the Westonka Walleye Program Approach Stocking?
Groshong: The program stocked larger walleye, between 8 and 13 inches, because they had a better chance of reaching harvestable size.
The article reported that an estimated 80% of smaller walleye stocked by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, between 2 and 6 inches, were consumed by predator fish. By comparison, fewer than 10% of walleye between 8 and 13 inches were estimated to be consumed by predators.
Larger fish cost more to stock, about $2 per fish, but their survival rate could give anglers a better opportunity to catch them.
Why Was Restocking Important?
Groshong: Limited natural reproduction was a challenge. The article estimated that as little as 5% of Lake Minnetonka’s walleye population came from natural reproduction.
Damage to habitat from shoreline development and invasive species affected the lake’s ability to sustain its walleye fishery. Stocking helped support the population while longer-term restoration efforts continued.
How Could People Help?
Groshong: Learn more and share the event on social media. KAWOI was active on Twitter and Facebook.
For more information about the Westonka Walleye Program, visit its website.
For KAWOI tournament information, visit Kraus-Anderson Walleyes on Ice or register and donate.
Any Parting Thoughts?
Groshong: Fishing with family is part of Minnesota culture. Leaving Minnesota lakes in better condition than we found them is what this event was about.
Learn more about the Kraus-Anderson Community Foundation, community involvement and Community Foundation fundraising through the annual bike festival.
CATEGORY: Community Involvement