Gander Mountain's Forest Lake Store to Prepare Community for Ice Fishing Season with Free Pro-Staff Seminars, Athlete Celebrity Appearance, Ice Rod & Reel Trade-In, Giveaways & Chances to win $10,000 in Prizes

ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Gander Mountain, the nation's largest and fastest-growing outdoor specialty retailer, is helping the community prepare for ice fishing season with a full day of pro-staff led seminars, athlete celebrity appearances, ice rod and reel trade-in event supporting 'Fishing for Life,' gift with purchase for the first 500 who spend $25 and an opportunity to register for a chance to win $10,000 in prizes in the 'Forest Lake First Ice Expo Sweepstakes.' The 6^th Annual First Ice Expo will be held Saturday, Nov. 19 starting at 8 a.m. at the Gander Mountain store in Forest Lake and is free and open to the public. Chip Leer, popular Minnesota fishing celebrity and host of 'Fishing the Wildside' will serve as the event's host.

"The Gander Mountain First Ice Expo has become one of the region's biggest pre-season ice fishing events and we're excited to once again offer a tremendous schedule of free seminars with ice fishing's top pros and celebrity athlete appearances, as well as tips to help those who want to learn about ice fishing or check out the latest gear and innovation," said Gander Mountain's Forest Lake Store Manager Marc Paul. "With the ice fishing season rapidly approaching, we're providing winter anglers a great opportunity to get a look at the best in gear available for ice fishing and free expert advice from some of the sport's most renowned and respected names."

Gander Mountain will host five free and informative professional seminars and three celebrity appearances:

• Terry Tuma, Clam Pro-Staffer, will be talking Walleyes On-Ice at 9AM
• Tony Roach, Ice Force Pro-Staffer, will be speaking about First Ice and How to Find Fish Fast at 10AM
• Brian Brosdahl, Frabill Pro-Staffer, will be teach on Straightline Targeting and Catching Large Panfish through the Ice at 11AM
• Scott Seibert, Clam Pro-Staffer, will be talking Mobile Presentations On-Ice at 12PM
• Dave Genz, Clam Pro-Staffer will be discussing Tungsten: More than a Lead Substitute at 1PM
• Professional Football players Everson Griffen and Kyle Rudolph will be making an appearance/meet & greet from 2-3:30PM (Limited to 250 autographs total. Autograph passes will be distributed at the store starting at 12pm. Limited to one autographed item per person.)
• Wes Walz, retired Wild player and sports commentator, will be doing an appearance from 4-5:30PM

A full schedule of events and appearances is available at: http://www.gandermountain.com/FirstIce/

The First Ice Expo will feature hundreds of Saturday only in-store specials and an ice rod & reel trade-in event supporting 'Fishing for Life' that enables anglers to save up to $15 on any new rod or reel when they trade-in an eligible ice rod or reel. Drawings for $10,000 in enter-to-win prizes will be held throughout the day. Prizes include an Ion Electric Auger, Vexilar Underwater Camera, Eskimo Pop-Up Ice Shelter, Frabill Portable Ice Shelter and much more. The first 500 customers to make a $25 fishing purchase at the Forest Lake store will receive a free First Ice Expo long-sleeve t-shirt, while supplies last.

Gander Mountain's Forest Lake store is located at 14640 W. Freeway Drive in Forest Lake and doors open at 8AM on Saturday. For more details customers can visit: http://www.gandermountain.com/store-locator/details/Forest%20Lake-MN-485

About Gander Mountain Company
Gander Mountain Company headquartered in St. Paul, MN, is the nation's largest and fastest-growing retail network of specialty outdoor stores for hunting, fishing, camping, shooting and outdoor lifestyle products and services. Since 1960, Gander Mountain has offered the best selection of outdoor gear featuring national, regional and specialty brands at competitive prices. Focused on a "We Live Outdoors^®" culture, Gander Mountain dedicates itself to creating outdoor memories. Gander Mountain has launched a national campaign encouraging responsible firearms ownership – take the Responsibility Pledge at ResponsibilityPledge.com and use the hashtag #responsibilitypledge in social media to raise awareness. Gander Mountain has more than 160 conveniently-located stores in 27 states. For the nearest store location call 800-282-5993 or visit www.GanderMountain.com. Gander Mountain is also the parent company of Overton's (www.overtons.com), a leading catalog and Internet based retailer of products for boating and other water sports enthusiasts.

SOURCE Gander Mountain Company

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