Cops teach kids the art of catch-and-release

On a sunny Monday evening, June 24, Riley Lake Park was the perfect backdrop for Let’s Go Fishing Eden Prairie’s fifth annual Cops and Bobbers event.

Despite a threat of rain earlier in the day, the weather held up for a good night of fishing. Each pontoon hosted a group of children, creating a friendly competition between the boats. By the end of the two-hour event, one pontoon reeled in 182 fish, while the other landed 141.

“It’s a friendly competition among the police to see which boat catches the most fish,” said Mike Gruidl, vice president of Let’s Go Fishing Eden Prairie. “Three out of the four policemen participated last year and were the first to sign up again this year – they really enjoy it.”

Gruidl stressed the event’s role in building positive relationships between the police and the community.

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“This event is important for community relations, especially given recent criticisms and calls to defund police departments,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for the public to see the positive contributions police make.”

Police officers instructed the children in basic fishing techniques, including hook baiting and fish removal. The Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation department coordinated with families via email to fill participant slots, which usually fill up within an hour.

Each participant received a rod and reel donated by Scheels.

Gruidl, one of the original founders of Let’s Go Fishing Eden Prairie, came up with the idea for Cops and Bobbers five years ago to foster community spirit. Initially hesitant about using the term “cops,” he consulted with the police chief, who assured him it was appropriate.

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“We send each child home with one of our ‘walleyes,'” Gruidl explained. “It’s a piece of wood shaped like a fish with a large eye on it. On the back, we hold it up and ask, ‘What’s the first thing you see?’ Then we turn it around to reveal a hook. If there’s a wall nearby, we hook it onto the wall. Now, what do you have? A ‘walleye!’ The kids get really excited about it, and many of these ‘walleyes’ end up in offices around town.”

Let’s Go Fishing Eden Prairie, established in 2012, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing fishing and boating experiences at no cost to seniors, veterans, youth, and disabled individuals. The Eden Prairie chapter, which has two boats on Lake Riley, is part of a larger network of 19 affiliates across Minnesota and Wisconsin.