SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — You may be eager to fire up your auger, but with ice nowhere to be found Sioux Falls has the next best thing for anglers.
Vendors from across the region spent the morning setting up shop at the second largest ice fishing show in the country.
“It’s a place where you can come and learn about ice fishing, whether or not you’re a beginner or an advanced ice fisherman. Plus, not only learn how to do it, but to buy the equipment to help you do that, so this is the one-stop shop, learn and buy at the same time,” Dakota Angler owner Todd Heitkamp said.
Todd Heitkamp owns Dakota Angler, a bait and tackle store in Sioux Falls, and says you’ll find everything from clothing to guide services to electronics. This piece of tech looks forward, not down, underwater.
“When you’re out on the ice, you’re time is short and so you want to be as effective and efficient as possible. That piece of equipment will allow you to do that,” Heitkamp said.
“We’ve got augers, shelters, electronics, outerwear, baits,” Marshall and Hanson’s Jon Marshall said.
Jon Marshall is with Marshall and Hanson, which is located north of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. He’s been coming to the Ice Institute since 2008.
“Back in the early days, it started in Todd’s shop, it grew a little bit every year to the point where we’re filling up an entire convention center,” Marshall said. {43:40:16} “And that’s what we love more than anything, to interact with the customers that really fuel the sport. That drives our business,” Marshall added.
The Ice Institute is also an opportunity to learn, with six seminars, featuring four ice fishing experts, during the three-day event.
“Well renowned speakers such as James Holst, who used to be the host of In-Depth Outdoors. He’s going to be talking about lithium batteries. We also have a bunch of YouTubers that a lot of people follow and so you can learn how to do your own YouTube channel and also catch more fish,” Heitkamp said.
And once the lakes are frozen, you can put those tips to use.
The Dakota Angler Ice Institute is currently underway at the Convention Center. The event runs until 9:00 tonight (Friday), and continues through Sunday. Admission is $7 per day or $15 for the entire weekend.
