Minnesota Wild Go Fishing With the Fans on Lake Minnetonka

Minnesota Wild head coach Mike Yeo, captain Zach Parise, defenseman Nate Prosser and Clayton Stoner took a bunch of fans fishing Tuesday afternoon on Lake Minnetonka. The outing was part of a sweepstakes conducted earlier this year by @GanderMtn, Rapala and the Minnesota Wild.

For Parise, the boat launch was on his (new) home turf. The former New Jersey Devil purchased a multi-million dollar home on Lake Minnetonka last year, shortly before signing a monster contract with the Minnesota Wild that will pay him $98 million over 13 years.

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The NHL's Minnesota Wild do their best work on the frozen pond, chasing after the most renowned trophy in pro sports, the Stanley Cup. But, in the State of Hockey, summertime means the lure of open water, and the fun of chasing trophy fish on one of 10,000 lakes. In that spirit, the Wild, alongside Rapala and Minnesota-based Gander Mountain are teaming up in August to give a few lucky fans the fishing outing of a lifetime.

On Tuesday, August 13, four fans and their guests will enjoy an all-expenses-paid fishing outing on Lake Minnetonka with a member of the Wild and a professional guide. The fans, selected from an April sweepstakes, will have a full day of fishing fun, starting bright and early with a 7 a.m. breakfast and sendoff at Lord Fletcher's Old Lake Lodge.

They'll fish most of the morning, then meet back at the lodge for shore lunch and to share stories and pictures of the morning's catch.

"For generations, folks who think about hockey think of Minnesota, and when they think about fishing, they think about the top-notch gear and expertise they get at their nearby Gander Mountain store," said Steve Uline, Gander Mountain's executive vice president of marketing. "We're excited to partner with the Wild on this fun event. We are looking forward to a great day on the water, and a place where life-long memories are made for a few very lucky fans."

Wild celebrities scheduled to appear include Mike Yeo, the Wild's third year head coach, with players Zach Parise, Nate Prosser and Clayton Stoner. Each boat will include a professional guide who knows the secret spots where big fish can be found among Lake Minnetonka's myriad bays, flats and reefs.