National Sports Center | Blaine, Minnesota

This inaugural event will give fishermen a great opportunity to preview the latest tackle, electronics, gear and ice houses, just ahead of ice fishing season.

“Clam Outdoors and Ice Team are very excited to be a major part in the first annual Hard Water Expo,” said Matt Johnson, Manager of the Ice Team, a select group of pro anglers. “The new venue at the National Spots Center is very conducive for an excited crowd of enthusiastic ice anglers. We know a lot of eager ice anglers are chomping at the bit to talk ice fishing and we can’t wait to share in the anticipation for the upcoming season.”

Clam Corporation is a Medina, Minnesota-based outdoor equipment manufacturer that is well-known as an innovator in the ice fishing world. Five of the Ice Team pro anglers, Jason Mitchell, Dave Genz, Jason Durham, Scott Seibert and Jim Hudson, will appear at the Expo.

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 and fishing experts

Five of the Ice Team pro anglers will appear at the Expo:

Jason Mitchell, host of the popular outdoor program, “Jason Mitchell Outdoors,” which boasts some of the highest ratings for outdoor programming on Fox Sports North and Fox Sports Midwest, reaching over twelve million households each week.

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

Jason Durham, Park Rapids, Minn. fishing guide, educator and author.

Scott Seibert, Oak Grove, Minn. guide and educator.

Jim Hudson, well known for finding and catching fish through the ice on large bodies of water, such as Lake Superior and other Great Lakes.

In addition, other well-known pro anglers will make educational presentations:

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.

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.
 

Hard Water Ice Fishing Expo Website