Each January, employee-owners from across our company bundle up, head north, and gather on the ice for one of our longest-running traditions: the annual ice fishing trip. What began decades ago as a small, regional outing has grown into a multi-office tradition full of camaraderie and connection.

The origins of the trip date back to the mid-1990s, when it was jointly planned by the White Bear Lake and St. Cloud offices. In those early years, the group gathered at different lakes across central Minnesota, laying the foundation for what would become a beloved tradition. By around 2000, the trip expanded to include the entire company and quickly became a highly anticipated annual event, with each year adding new memories, stories, and inside jokes to the experience.

As the trip has grown and evolved, so have the traditions that make it unmistakenly ours. Custom trip swag ranging from stocking hats and gloves to vests and this year’s shackets. These items have become a recognizable staple of the weekend, proudly worn on the ice and beyond the weekend. Another highlight is the Biggest Walleye Competition, where the winner takes home a traveling trophy, a giant check, and a cash prize during the Saturday night celebration. Perhaps the most anticipated tradition of all is the Saturday Night Fish Fry, when everyone comes together to celebrate the weekend and enjoy a meal made from the group’s fresh catches.

While the overall size of the trip hasn’t changed dramatically, the makeup of the group certainly has. What began as a Minnesota and North Dakota based tradition has evolved to include employee-owners from nearly all regions and offices. In recent years, about one-third of attendees have traveled from the Southern region, trading warm weather for ice, snow, and a weekend they wouldn’t miss.

From the very beginning, this trip has always been about more than catching fish. It’s an opportunity to step away from day-to-day work, connect outside the office, and build friendships that last long after the ice melts. Decades later, the annual ice fishing trip remains a powerful example of what makes our employee-owned culture special. It’s a reminder that some of the strongest connections are built far from the office.