GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, April 17, 2025—Host Bret Amundson visits Curt Piechowski to discuss his family history in fishing and a new museum exhibit, then explores the “clean up the lake” project in progress on Lake Mille Lacs, and lastly go fast foraging with Nicole Zempel, all on the next Prairie Sportsman. “Piechowski Fishing and Protecting Water” will air on Pioneer PBS Sunday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. Episodes repeat Mondays at 12:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Check local listings and our showtimes landing page for air dates and times on other PBS stations in Minnesota and surrounding states.
In the first segment, “Saving Fish Tales,” host Bret Amundson visits the Lac qui Parle History Museum to explore the new exhibit celebrating the long family history of fishing by the Piechowski family. Curt Piechowski walks Bret through the exhibit and shares memories of growing up in the family business.
In the next segment, “Keep It Clean,” host Bret Amundson visits Garrison, Minnesota, to talk about the “Keep It Clean” project on Lake Mille Lacs. Ann Brucciani Lyon is a member of the Keep It Clean coalition. She consulted with cohorts at Lake of the Woods and business owners around Mille Lacs who have participated in grassroots efforts to clean up trash left on the ice for the sake of tourists, the businesses around the lake, and the preservation of the lake itself.
In the last segment, Fast Forager Nicole Zempel shows viewers how to find the delicious black raspberries that grow in the wild.
Individuals in Pioneer PBS’s viewing area can livestream this episode at pioneer.org/live. All episodes and segments can also be viewed on the PBS app and online at pioneer.org/prairiesportsman, video.pioneer.org/show/prairie-sportsman, and youtube.com/@PrairieSportsman.
About Prairie Sportsman
Produced by Pioneer PBS, Prairie Sportsman is an Emmy-awarded series that celebrates the love of the outdoors by featuring topics on hunting, fishing, and recreation while promoting environmental stewardship. The team of Prairie Sportsman consists of Host, Producer, Videographer, and Editor Bret Amundson, Writer and Producer Cindy Dorn, Videographer and Editor Dan Amundson, along with Series Editor Bradley Keely. The 2025 season is made possible by funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Shalom Hill Farm, Live Wide Open, Western Minnesota Prairie Waters, and members of Pioneer PBS. If you enjoy Prairie Sportsman, become a friend of Prairie Sportsman by filling out a Google Form.
About Pioneer PBS
Established in 1966, Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing stories from rural Minnesota with the world. Pioneer PBS is headquartered in Granite Falls, Minnesota, with towers in Appleton, Worthington, and Fergus Falls. Pioneer PBS reaches more than a million people in rural areas and small towns in western Minnesota, the eastern Dakotas, and northern Iowa. Pioneer PBS is honored to be your television station—the only station in western Minnesota telling your stories and raising your voices into the media landscape. Our members help make programs like this possible with their generous support. For more information about Pioneer PBS or how you can help us make these stories a reality, visit pioneer.org/support or call 800-726-3178.
