Duluth Police Department youth fishing program receives donation

By WDIO

Duluth Police Department was presented with an $8,000 donation Tuesday morning, June 25, to help fund its Get Hooked on Fishing community outreach program.

The program partners DPD officers with local youth for fishing trips to lakes throughout the area.
Get Hooked on Fishing began with shore fishing but was expanded after grants and donations funded the purchase of a boat. Now, a donation provided by The Larry and Donna Pulkrabek Foundation will continue to fund the program.

Jim Forsyth, a Community Officer with DPD, says the Pulkrabek’s believe in the importance of youth bonding with local police, as well as getting out into nature.

“Often times when we go out, some of these kids have never even been on a boat – let alone been able to have a conversation with a police officer.” Forsyth said.

Kids are picked for the program from local youth centers including the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club to go fishing every Tuesday. Forsyth says that upwards of 200 kids took part in Get Hooked on Fishing last year alone.