Download a photo of Dawn Walrath and Brett Amundson.
GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — Bret Amundson is ice fishing along the Gunflint Trail with avid angler Dawn Walrath, and public health officials explain why it is important to test private wells. “Fishing the Gunflint” will air on Pioneer PBS Sunday, March 29, 7:30 p.m.; WDSE Saturday, April 4, 4 p.m.; tptLife Saturday, April 11, 12:30 p.m.; Lakeland PBS Saturday, May 2, 2:30 p.m.; and KSMQ Thursday, May 21, 7:30 p.m. It will also be broadcast on the Minnesota Channel, which airs on all Minnesota PBS stations, Thursday, April 16 at midnight, 6 a.m., noon and 6 p.m.
Dawn Walrath of Eagan grew up as an outdoor enthusiast and was the first woman hired in the hunting and fishing department at Joe’s Sporting Goods in St. Paul, which has been in business for 90 years. She invited Bret to ice fish near her family’s cabin on the Gunflint Trail, where they pulled in five rainbow trout.
In Minnesota, 472,000 homes and farms get their water from private wells. But less than one-fourth are tested for harmful chemicals like nitrates and arsenic. Public health officials encourage owners of unregulated wells to get them tested, and the nonprofit Minnesota Well Owners Organization was launched in 2018 to advocate for testing and offer free water screening clinics.
About Prairie Sportsman
Prairie Sportsman celebrates our love of the outdoors – to hunt, fish and enjoy recreation provided by our vast resources of lakes, rivers, trails and grasslands – while promoting environmental stewardship.
Prairie Sportsman’s team includes Cindy Dorn, producer/writer; Bret Amundson, host/editor; Dylan Curfman, editor/videographer and Max Grabow, assistant videographer/editor. The 2020 season is made possible by funding from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, SafeBasements of Minnesota, GrandStay Hospitality, Diamond Willow, Live Wide Open and Western Minnesota Prairie Waters.
About Pioneer PBS
Established in 1966, Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing local stories of the region with the world. For more information visit www.pioneer.org.
