All of us at LGF Brainerd extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to David Brown and his wife Libby for their dedication to our chapter for these past seasons. As President, David was proactive in the decision to acquire a second pontoon in order to expand our service to a grateful community. His guidance kept us on course and helped us achieve our many goals.

At this time David will take a step back from his board position but will remain an active LGF volunteer with Libby. “Thank you” does not begin to cover the gratitude we have for their dedication to our chapter.

Along with this update, we are proud to announce your 2026 LGF volunteer board positions:

Julie Kletscher – Interim President
George Olson – Interim Vice President
John Grandin – Treasurer
Karen Vogt – Secretary
Kathy Dufour – Event Coordinator
Ron Plinske – PR, Web, Social Media
Mike Daly – Equipment Coordinator
Steve Oslos – Member at large, past VP

We welcome George and John to the LGF board and thank them for stepping up to serve you and our guests. As “Interim President and VP”, Julie and George will hold these offices for the 2026 season. These positions will be up for election for 2027 and beyond.

As volunteers, thank you all for your energy, your passion and commitment to our guests, our volunteers and the community!

Stay tuned for a 2026 LGF event calendar update to be posted soon.

Lead-free in 2026!!!

As we plan ahead for our 2026 season your Brainerd LGF Board has made the important decision to do away with lead tackle! We know our wildlife can be harmed greatly by the ingestion of lead from fishing tackle. This affects Bald Eagles, Ospreys, the Common Loon, Otters and any other birds and animals that ingest lead by eating fish that have succumbed to swallowing lead. Try as we might, we release most of what LGF catches on our trips. Rarely, we may have a fish break off with the lead tackle still attached. A floating fish is easy prey for Eagles, Ospreys and others.

       How about you?              Will you commit to going lead-free for wildlife in 2026?

We so appreciate being part of a great giving community! So many area businesses gave gifts so we could raffle them to our deserving volunteers at our annual appreciation dinner. Every volunteer and their guest went home with a fantastic prize. Dinner was prepared by The Pillager Lions and it was delicious!

If you’re shopping at any of these area businesses please let know how much you appreciate their support for our LGF volunteers!

Businesses donating prizes, In no particular order;
Copper Creek Garden Center – Nisswa
Holiday Gas Station – Mill Ave
Cash Wise Liquor – Baxter and Brainerd
Tutt’s Bait and Tackle
Emily Meats
Rosalinni’s Pizza Brainerd
Valerie Ann’s Family Foods
5Rocks Distillery
Slice on Oak
Blue Oyster Restaurant
The Old Open Window
The Bridge Tavern
The Green Lantern Bar & Grill
Coco Moon Coffee Bar
The Wild Bird Store – Brainerd
Gravel Pit Golf Course
Cragun’s Resort on Gull Lake
Ya-Sure Kombucha
Ernie’s on Gull
Eagles Landing Golf Course
Zorbaz on Gull – Lakeshore MN
Main Street Ale
Ye Old Pickle Factory
Spirits of Nisswa
Highway 3 Marine
Nisswa Marine
The Center – Brainerd
SPR Sports

LGF Brainerd is PROUD to support our veterans. Another great day on the water with hero’s from Reuniting After War’s reunion weekend on Gull Lake. Our crew, Scott, George and Ron shared some time on the water with some of our country’s finest. Sharing fishing stories with buddy’s that haven’t seen each other for twenty years. This work of RAW, specifically Mary Brigita Henry, is heroic and we’re so thankful to have a few hours with them. Safe travels back home heroes!

Join our Let’s Go Fishing MN Master Naturalists Volunteers for a scenic cruise up the Mississippi River from our Rice Lake Partnership #2. We take our time going upstream to view Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans, Great Blue Herons, Spiney Soft-shelled Turtles Common Loons and anything nature has in store for us. We always see something cool so bring your cameras and binoculars or use our loaner binoculars to view up close. The nature tours are available for any open trip as shown on the Rice Lake Partnership #2 schedule. Just tell our scheduler in the notes that you’d like to enjoy an LGF  Nature Tour (no fishing on these) and Cheryl will coordinate with one of our naturalists. We hope to see you soon!