2026 GRAND PRIZE WINNER
Molly Robinson
Total Registered Participants
Total fish weighed
Total pounds of fish weighed
Fish over ONE pound
Biggest fish
Winning Mystery weight
Smallest Fish weighed
Most Common weight
Oldest Angler
Youngest Angler
Kids 16 & under registered
Kids 16 & under that weighed fish
| Angler | Age | Weight | Place |
| Emma Krueger | 9 | 1.14 | 1 |
| Marcie Merkatoris | 11 | 1.06 | 2 |
| Jared Sarff | 10 | 1.03 | 3 |
| Reed Ferris | 11 | 0.98 | 4 |
| Haley Rhoads | 11 | 0.92 | 5 |
| Angler | Age | Weight | Place |
| Steven Penney | 44 | 1.62 | 1 |
| Mel Melser | 45 | 1.19 | 2 |
| Dan Iversen | 47 | 1.17 | 3 |
| Matt Quam | 68 | 1.17 | 4 |
| Shawn Riesgraf | 35 | 1.17 | 5 |
For more than 54 years, the Lake Minnetonka Crappie Contest has been a cherished spring tradition, bringing families, anglers, and the community together around a shared love of fishing and the outdoors.
When offered the opportunity, Future Anglers of Minnesota stepped forward to ensure this longstanding tradition continued. As an organization dedicated to youth engagement, conservation, and access to fishing, FAM is proud to carry the legacy of the Lake Minnetonka Crappie Contest forward preserving what made it special while strengthening its impact for future generations.
This event has the capacity to welcome more than 1,000 participants of all ages, with a strong focus on youth involvement. The cornerstone of the contest is ensuring every child can participate, including providing complimentary fishing rods to the first 250 youth anglers and free access to reserve a spot in a boat with a guide for up to 50 kids for an hour and half of fishing.
Families can expect a day filled with fishing, interactive games, and hands-on activities designed to create lasting memories. The event also serves as a collaborative platform for conservation groups, community organizations, and supporters to come together in a shared mission. Vendor and partner organizations are invited to participate, showcase their programs, and help demonstrate that when we work together, our collective impact is greater.
FAM will continue to honor the long-standing history of the Lake Minnetonka Crappie Contest while building a sustainable, inclusive future for the next generation of anglers.
Future Anglers of Minnesota is a Minnesota-based nonprofit focused on introducing and supporting the next generation of anglers through education, access, and conservation-driven fishing experiences. Our mission is to remove barriers to fishing and create inclusive opportunities for youth and families across the state. Through community partnerships and responsible leadership of legacy events, we are committed to preserving Minnesota’s fishing traditions for generations to come.
