National Sports Center | Blaine, Minnesota

“Be prepared before the ice hits the lakes.”

The Hard Water Ice Fishing Expo is a property owned by the National Sports Center.

The NSC will be producing four upcoming outdoor shows. Following the Hard Water Ice Fishing Expo will be the Minnesota Angers’ Expo to be held February 8-10, the Minnesota Deer Classic, March 8-10, and the Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo, March 22-24. All the outdoor expos will be held at the Schwan Center on the NSC campus.

Location: NSC Schwan Center, 1750 105th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55449.

Hours: Friday, November 16, 4 - 8 p.m.; Saturday, November 17, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday, November 18, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Admission: Adults, $10/day; Students, $6/day. 11 and under admitted free. Unlimited free parking.

Features: ice fishing celebrities, seminars and classes, guide services, wheel houses, youth programs, travel destinations, new equipment, outdoor equipment testing.

Unique things to look for at the Hard Water Ice Fishing Expo:

Kids’ programs. Special youth activities, including a fish pond.

“We have a commitment to help fishing grow in the future,” said Savino. “Right now, the number of kids fishing is declining. To turn that around, we need to get more kids involved in fishing.”

Outdoor wheel house and ATV testing. The National Sports Center offers ample outdoor space. Test an ATV or an ice auger? Just step outside the door! ATV test rides will be sponsored by the Hitching Post.

Quality seminars.
Among the quality educational seminars to be offered include:

Brian “Bro” Brosdahl, a multispecies angler best known for his influence on the sport of ice fishing. Several popular ice fishing products are based on his ideas.

Dave Genz, ice fishing innovator, inventor, and the leader of the movement that modernized ice fishing.

Brad Hawthorne, legendary Lake Mille Lacs fishing guide.

Tony Roach, a professional walleye angler, who has guided on a wide variety of lakes including Mille Lacs, Winnibigoshish, Lake of the Woods, and many more.

More seminars will be added before the Expo begins.