Scott Gackle Memorial Fishing Event

Photos from the inaugural Scott Gackle Memorial Fishing Event — Feb. 21, 2021

A Devoted Outdoorsman…

Scott “Scotty” Gackle, of Canton, South Dakota, 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. 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. He passed away in November 2019.

Scotty’s friend Dustin Taylor wanted to honor him by putting together an event that gives more children the opportunity to fall in love with outdoor activities. Taylor contacted the South Dakota Game Fish & Parks department, who then worked with Lake Lorraine developers, to put together the inaugural memorial fishing event.

The fishing event in February 2021 will allow approximately 20 Hayward Elementary students the opportunity to ice fish on Lake Lorraine. For many of these kids, 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 fishing pole with the hope that they will want to continue with the sport after having had 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. Fishing was one of the favorite Friessen family activities and FDI is pleased to bring this memorial fishing event to Lake Lorraine.