ABOVE: Volunteers work to prepare the Let’s Go Fishing pontoon ahead of a fishing trip for a small group from Albert Lea earlier this week.

FAIRMONT– Let’s Go Fishing is in its 13th year of taking out members of the community and beyond for a pontoon ride or fishing trip. The organization serves a wide area and is really the only of its kind in this part of the state.

“We were organizing and fundraising for the boat in 2007 and started fishing in 2008,” said Ron Kallemeyn.

Let’s Go Fishing is part of a larger organization that’s based out of Willmar. Fairmont’s chapter is one of 17 chapters in Minnesota with one in Wisconsin.

“We’re the only chapter in southern Minnesota. Everything else is north,” said Tom Gallagher.

There are chapters in Brainerd, Eden Prairie and Detroit Lakes. Kallemeyn said Sleepy Eye and St. James used to have chapters but they ended due to lack of support and volunteers.

Because there’s not many in the area, Fairmont’s chapter has groups come from as far as Mankato and Spirit Lake, IA. However, most of the groups that sign up are within Martin County.

“It’s at no cost to them. It’s financially funded by our boat sponsors,” Gallagher said.

Let’s Go Fishing primarily caters to groups of seniors over 55, the disabled and veterans. However, some special circumstances are sometimes granted.

Several years ago they took out a man who was on hospice with a terminal illness whose last wish was to go fishing with his grandkids.

“Fortunately we caught a lot of fish that day. It was a great day,” said Gallagher.

The pontoon is also handicap accessible and Kallemeyn said they can fit one electric wheelchair or two manual wheelchairs on board.

“We’ll take people who never thought they’d be able to go out on the lake again,” he said.

They once took out a 92-year-old Fairmont woman who had never been on one of the five lakes here.

The men said they get as much taking people out, as the guests get out of the experience.

They take out many groups from assisted living facilities, churches and organizations like STEP, REM and COR. Sometimes groups will book multiple trips in a season though it’s limited initially to ensure that everyone can get a chance to go.

The pontoon goes out from Memorial Day to Labor Day. In 2021 it took out 276 people, which was a good amount of people coming out of COVID as the 2020 season was cancelled. In past years they’ve taken out as many as 600 in a season.

As for who mans the pontoon, there is a team of volunteers who work as captain, first mate or dock assistant. Gallagher said they’re training seven new members for a total of 47 volunteers.

The pontoon takes both cruising and fishing groups on Hall Lake, Budd Lake and Lake Sisseton. It goes out Monday through Wednesdays with fishing groups in the morning and cruisers in the afternoon. Fishing gear and life jackets are provided.

Those interested in signing up can call 507-848-3887 or visit fairmont.lgfws.com.