Captain Greg of Learn 2 Fish With Us recently had the opportunity to present his seminar, “Icing Panfish on Your Local Lakes,” to the Winneconne High School Fishing Team. The seminar focused on giving student anglers practical knowledge they can use to be successful and safe on the ice.

During the presentation, Captain Greg covered what anglers should do prior to ice-up, including preparation and planning for the upcoming season. He reviewed essential ice fishing equipment, shared his favorite panfish baits, and explained why being quiet is critical when fishing shallow water, especially during early ice conditions.

The team also learned about electronics used for ice fishing, including which units Captain Greg prefers and why. A highlight of the seminar was the use of LiveScope footage, giving students a real-time look at fish behavior beneath the ice and helping them better understand how panfish react to baits and presentations.

Following the seminar, the Winneconne High School Fishing Team gave back by helping rig fishing combos for the upcoming 2026 Learn 2 Fish With Us Fishing Programs. Their help ensures that youth participating in future programs will have fully rigged, ready-to-use fishing equipment when they hit the water.

We truly appreciate the Winneconne High School Fishing Team for their enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and dedication to supporting our mission of growing the sport of fishing through education and inspiration.

On Wednesday, December 17th, Learn 2 Fish With Us was joined by dedicated Thrivent volunteers for a productive and festive day of rigging fishing combos in preparation for our 2026 Fishing Programs.

Both the morning and afternoon sessions were filled with holiday cheer as volunteers worked together on an important task—ensuring that most

youth we serve will have a fully rigged fishing combo when they join us on the water. These behind-the-scenes efforts make a big difference, helping young anglers focus on learning, having fun, and building confidence while fishing.

We are incredibly grateful to Thrivent for their support. A Thrivent Action Team grant was used to purchase the fishing supplies needed to rig the combos. A special thank-you goes out to Russ for helping make this support possible.

Because of generous volunteers and community partners like Thrivent, Learn 2 Fish With Us continues to grow the sport of fishing through education and hands-on experiences. We truly appreciate everyone who helped make the day a success and brought holiday spirit to our mission.

This past Saturday, December 13th, Captain Greg hosted an Ice Fishing Basics seminar for youth and adults at the Wisconsin Ice Fishing Expo in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. While temperatures outside reminded everyone that winter had truly arrived, the cold didn’t stop showgoers from packing the seminar room to learn the fundamentals of ice fishing.

The Ice Fishing Basics seminar covered everything beginners need to get started safely and confidently on the ice. Attendees learned how to stay warm in cold conditions, essential ice fishing safety tools, and how to determine how much ice is needed to safely fish. Captain Greg also explained how to work the water column, identify fish species, and understand the complete ice fishing process—from drilling the first hole to landing a fish.

Equipment and techniques were a major focus of the seminar. Participants were introduced to ice fishing combos, ice augers, tip-ups and tip-downs, electronics, bait selection, and how each piece of gear plays a role in a successful day on the ice. The goal was to remove the intimidation factor and show that ice fishing can be both safe and fun for anglers of all ages.

To make the day even more special, the first fifty youth attending the seminar received a Shakespeare ice fishing combo, giving them the opportunity to put their new knowledge to use on their next ice fishing adventure.

It was an incredible day of education, excitement, and community at the Wisconsin Ice Fishing Expo. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the Ice Fishing Basics seminar such a success. What a great show!

This past week, Learn 2 Fish With Us had the incredible opportunity to spend three days teaching fishing education to the third and fourth graders at Electa Quinney Elementary and New Dimensions Learning Community. Nearly seven hundred students took part—our largest group of young anglers this year!

Each class attended our Fishing Basics seminar, where students learned the essential skills and equipment needed to begin fishing—skills that are just as valuable during the ice fishing season. During the seminar, students explored:

• Fishing and outdoor safety
• Differences between spin cast and spinning combos
• How to cast safely and accurately
• How to tie both Clinch and Palomar knots
• Live and artificial bait
• Conservation practices
• How to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species
• …and so much more!

After the seminar, students rotated through our hands-on learning stations, which included casting practice, knot-tying, and fish identification. These stations were definitely a highlight—students told us again and again how much fun they had trying each activity and how excited they were to show off their new skills!

We were also thrilled to hear the enthusiasm from the second graders, who are already looking forward to their turn when we return in 2026!

This three-day event wouldn’t have been possible without the teamwork and generosity of so many partners. A HUGE thank-you goes out to the Kaukauna High School Fishing Team and our amazing Learn 2 Fish With Us volunteers for helping make the event run smoothly and safely. And a special thanks to Dave’s Musky Club for donating lunch for our volunteers.

With so many great people and organizations coming together, the event was truly a success. We’re grateful for the opportunity to inspire the next generation of anglers—and we can’t wait to be back!

On Wednesday, December 3rd Captain Greg Met with the Kaukauna High School Fishing Team to talk about the upcoming December 11th Fishing Day at Electra Quinney Elementary.  First, Captain Greg will host our Fishing Basics seminar, which will teach the third and fourth graders the skills and equipment needed to begin fishing.  Three sessions will be held through the school day.  On December 11th the third and fourth graders will do hands on edcuational stations of; casting, knot tying and fish identification where the Kaukauna High School Fishing Team will instruct the students.  After the review of December 11th Fishing Day they talked about the upconing ice fishing season and tips Captain Greg had for them.

Learn 2 Fish With Us so looks forward to working with the Kaukauna High School Fishing Team!!

Learn 2 Fish With Us and our volunteers attended the USA Angling Youth Fishing Adventure which was held In Green Bay at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.  This was held in conjuction with the 2025 World Street Fishing Championship. 

The cold did not keep youth and families from aattending the event.  Youth attended fishing education stations where they learned casting, knot tying, bait, different fishing equipment and how to use it, fishing regulations and so much more!!  Once they completed all the fishing stations it was time for them to go fishing where they caught bluegills in the pond!!  Many families attending said they had a wonderful time and look forward to attending more events in the future.   #youthfishingeducation #Youthfishingadventure

In 2025, Learn 2 Fish With Us hosted 52 fishing events across Wisconsin, reaching over 5,000 youth and families!

This year we:
Brought Fishing Programs into 18 different elementary, middle, and high schools – with even more lined up for 2026.
Offered hands-on education on casting, knot tying, live & artificial bait, fish ID and, of course, fishing itself.
Partnered with Park & Rec Departments in Green Lake, Neenah, Fox Crossing, and Wausau.
Hosted educational booths at major events and delivered fishing seminars at all the major Fishing Shows in Wisconsin.
Worked with Boy & Girl Scouts, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Clubs, and VPI Inc.

We’re also proud to share our continued perfect safety record – not a single hook in the skin! This shows how proper education makes a huge difference before fishing begins.

None of this would be possible without our sponsors, donors, and incredible volunteers – THANK YOU!

It’s only October, and we already have 17 Fishing Programs scheduled for 2026. The future is bright for Learn 2 Fish With Us, and we can’t wait to share more adventures with you!

#Learn2FishWithUs #FishingEducation #ThankYou

YOUTH ANGLER EDUCATION ADVENTURE 2025 – KIDS FISHING DAY

Where: Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary – 1660 East Shore Drive, Green Bay, WI 54302

When: Saturday, October 25, 2025 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

No experience? No problem!

Learn 2 Fish With Us will be there!!

Rig & Tie – Essential knots & setups Cast with Confidence – Improve accuracy & form Conservation – Protect fish & habitats Safety Skills – Shore, boat & gear tips Casting Clinic – Hands-on coaching by the water

We’ll provide the gear, the guidance, and the good times. Bring your curiosity—and let the adventure begin!

Last month Learn 2 Fish With Us and the Karch’s were highlighted in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for what they afe doing to grow the sport of fishing.  Checkout the article!!

You can also check out the article in many of the other newspapers that carried out the article here.