New partnership with GFP opens up fishing opportunities

This Sunday, Feb. 21, a group of elementary school students will have the opportunity to try ice fishing, thanks to a new partnership between Lake Lorraine developers and the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department.

The youth fishing event is in memory of avid outdoorsman Scott A. Gackle, who passed away in November 2019. An opportunity to safely bring youth out to Lake Lorraine for a special event was meaningful to Lake Lorraine developers Friessen Development, Inc. (FDI).

Lake Lorraine is privately owned and for safety reasons no recreational activities like fishing and swimming are allowed on the water. FDI had always hoped to bring quiet enjoyment to the lake as the development grew by working with other entities. In 2020 seasonal business Flow and Paddle brought stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) to Lake Lorraine, the first activity allowed on the water.

In late 2020, conversations began between Lake Lorraine developers and staff of the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks. FDI was looking for a safe way to promote quiet enjoyment of the lake. GFP was looking for more opportunities to develop a love of fishing in urban areas. Working together seemed like a great fit to meet both goals.

The fishing event on Feb. 21 is the first of many outdoor events FDI and the GFP hope to put together this year. The only allowed fishing activities at Lake Lorraine will be organized through GFP or FDI. And yes, there are fish in the lake! When Warren Friessen was excavating the site for materials to be used by Friessen Construction Company, he envisioned having a lake where he could fish. Once he dug out the space and the resulting lake filled with water from the Skunk Creek aquifer, Friessen stocked the lake. Known species in the water include Northern Pike, Large Mouth Bass, Crappie, Perch and Blue Gill. 

Registration for future fishing events in 2021 will take place through GFP. Follow Lake Lorraine and The Outdoor Campus social media pages for announcements about future events.

ABOUT THE FEB. 21 FISHING EVENT

Dustin Taylor wanted to honor his late friend Scott A. Gackle, often referred to as Scotty, by helping more children have the opportunity to fall in love with outdoor activities. Taylor contacted the GFP, who then worked with Lake Lorraine developers to put together the event.

The fishing event will allow approximately 20 Hayward Elementary students the opportunity to ice fish on Lake Lorraine. For many of these children, this may be the first time they’ve ever had the opportunity to fish. The Outdoor Campus is providing all of the equipment needed. Kids will receive an overview of ice fishing and safety talk from GFP staff. Then they will head out to the lake where volunteer guides will help each child with bait and technique.

The goal is to have each child catch a fish. Everything is catch and release, meaning the fish will go back into the lake after a photo is taken. There are prizes for the largest fish and the most fish caught. Each child will go home with a fishing pole with the hope that they will want to continue with the sport after having a positive experience.  

Taylor hopes this fishing event will become an annual activity to honor his late friend. The goal is to continue Gackle’s legacy and to spread his love of the outdoors to others, especially those who would not normally get the opportunity to do so, Taylor said. Fishing was one of the favorite Friessen family activities and FDI is pleased to have this event at Lake Lorraine.

Gackle, of Canton, was an avid fisherman and hunter. He especially loved to take his twin boys, Jasper and Griffin (now age 7), with him to explore the outdoors every chance he could. His baby girl, Vada (now age 5), was the apple of his eye. Vada was ecstatic about whatever excursion Scotty had planned, Taylor said. Gackle was looking forward to purchasing an ice fishing shack so the whole family could fish together. Scotty never cared where he was or what he was doing, happily untangling his kid’s fishing lines all day, as long as he was with his family and friends.