On Jan. 26, about 40 members of various Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan troops enjoyed an ice fishing activity on Crooked Lake inside the Independence Oaks County Park in Clarkston.

On Jan. 26, about 40 members of various Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan troops enjoyed an ice fishing activity on Crooked Lake inside the Independence Oaks County Park in Clarkston.

Photo provided by Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan


Girl Scouts chill out with ice fishing experience

By: Maria Allard | C&G Newspapers | Published February 3, 2025

 The participants learned how to fillet a fish.

The participants learned how to fillet a fish.

Photo provided by Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan

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CLARKSTON — The recent cold front that moved into southeastern Michigan made for the ideal weather conditions for local Girl Scouts to get hooked on ice fishing.

On Jan. 26, about 40 members of various Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan troops from kindergarten through 11th grade and their leaders ventured over to Crooked Lake inside the Independence Oaks County Park to spend an hour learning how to ice fish.

With the temperature at 28 degrees Fahrenheit, there were four one-hour Ice to Table sessions set up between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan lead outdoor education program specialist and avid ice fishing angler Paige Wigren helped lead the excursion. She brought her husband, Ryan Wigren, and dad Mark Evans as volunteers.

“This one brought out the dads and the grandpas,” Wigren said. “It was really cool to see three generations on the ice.”

The Scouts, who made sure to dress warmly, used fishing poles and sit-upon buckets during the activity. They also had access to warming shanties and a heated shelter on the shore.

While there are several fishing programs within the GSSEM, this was the first time for the Ice to Table event. Attempts were made in the past, but the ice just wasn’t safe. This year Paige and Ryan tested out the ice first with a propane power auger. At least 6 inches of ice is needed for fishing, and the test showed ice 11-12 inches thick. When the Scouts first made it onto the ice, Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy Tim Brown provided them with a number of safety lessons.

Only one fish was caught during the day, but the participants still learned how to fillet a fish and cook it on a portable grill. Evans packed some white crappie and bluegills for the trip, and everyone was invited to try a bite-sized piece of fish.

“They were super excited and curious,” Wigren said. “They can do anything if they put their minds to it. The opportunities in the Girl Scouts are endless.”

As a child, Wigren was a Girl Scout for many years.

“It helped foster my love for the outdoors and gave me a good level of confidence,” she said.

Wigren added that the GSSEM partnered with local businesses and organizations to make the ice fishing event possible. The Bait Shop, in Waterford, was the bait, tackle and gear supplier.  Secondary partners included the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, in Trenton, with park rangers Erika Van Kirk and Alex Gilford. Other secondary partners were the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alpena Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Detroit River Substation in Gibraltar with fisheries biologist Arika Reed, and fisheries and habitat biologist Jocelynne Samu-Pittard.

Julie Quinn, leader with Troop No. 77339 based in Waterford, took about 10 members ice fishing, including her three daughters Kelsey, 11; Kayley, 9; and Katelyn, 9. Their husband and dad, Shawn Quinn, who fishes often during the summer months, joined them on the frozen lake.

“It was a big area and spread out pretty wide in a horseshoe shape,” Quinn said. “They predrilled the holes and had trails. It was a little chilly. Once the sun peeped out, it wasn’t so bad.”

Although nobody in Troop No. 77339 caught any fish, they still enjoyed the experience.

“It helps the girls know they can do something different and unexpected they normally wouldn’t do and still have fun doing it,” Quinn said.

In an email to the GSSEM, Julie Zawalski shared details on the ice fishing experience she had with daughters Lucille, 12, of Troop No. 77115, and Elizabeth, 9, of Quinn’s Troop No. 77339. Lucille attends West Bloomfield Middle School, and Elizabeth attends Scotch Elementary School in West Bloomfield. Zawalski volunteers for both troops and was a Girl Scout while growing up. Both of her daughters would like to ice fish again.

“I liked learning about ice fishing. It helps the girls learn new skills, as well as get them into the outdoors. It was something I’ve never done before,” Zawalski said via email. “I’m not sure we would’ve tried ice fishing if (Girl Scouts) hadn’t offered it. It requires a lot of gear, which we don’t own. We do have friends who go ice fishing and since they heard that we went, have offered to take us. I think we might take them up on it sometime.”

The Scouts had the opportunity to earn patches from the ice fishing activity.

The different Girl Scout councils funded the Ice to Table program from their cookie sales that include various flavors from shortbread to thin mints. And get your sweet tooth ready, because it’s time for the annual sale. Cookie booth sales officially begin Feb. 14. In addition, there are some “Big Game” booths that are selling cookies for one day only Feb. 8 in various communities.

“Big Game Booths are an exciting sneak peek that allow customers to enjoy our cookies just in time for the Super Bowl,” Llaren Wynn, vice president of product program and retail operations for GSSEM, said in a prepared statement. “Troops are excited to be among the first to host booths and jump start their cookie business! Troops depend on cookie sales for camp, travel and any number of girl-led adventures.”

For more information on the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan, visit gssem.org or call (800) 482-6734.

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