‘Catch for a Cause’ nets $45,000 for Grassy Butte Fire Department
M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer
In the middle of a North Dakota winter, most people are looking for a way to stay inside, but for 224 hardy anglers, the frozen waters of Lake Sakakawea were exactly where they wanted to be to support their neighbors.
The 2026 “Catch for a Cause” ice fishing tournament concluded its 17th year with a massive splash, raising $45,000 for the Grassy Butte Rural Fire Department.
With its recent check presentation, the event marked its second year operating under its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, a strategy designed to keep the impact of the fundraiser close to home. “Our group formed Catch for a Cause in 2024 after years of putting on an ice fishing tournament that benefited the American Cancer Society,” explained Rex Korslien, one of the event’s primary organizers. “We really enjoyed organizing the event, but wanted to see the impact more locally. By creating our own 501(c)(3), we’re able to choose a different beneficiary each year.”
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