GRANITE FALLS, Minnesota, April 23, 2026 —Fishing and bait and tackle take center stage on the next episode of Prairie Sportsman, which airs Sunday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. on Pioneer PBS.
Host Bret Amundson joins Drake Herd to go ice fishing near Alexandria, and Barry Thoele welcomes us to his farm where he is raising native minnows and doing what he can to save the live bait industry in Minnesota.
In our first segment, “Fin Gear” host Bret Amundson meets up with National Walleye Tour Pro and Alexandria, Minnesota, native Drake Herd to hook some late season crappie before the ice melts. Drake also shares the story of Fin Gear, the fishing equipment company that he started in his parent’s basement.
In our second segment, “Making Minnows” Bret visits Barry’s Cherries, a hydroponic and aquaponic farm where Barry Thoele raises millions of native minnows every year. He hopes others will follow his lead to create a sustainable bait fish industry in Minnesota and across the country.
Prairie Sportsman rebroadcasts Mondays at 12:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. following the initial airing on Pioneer PBS.
How to Watch
Viewers within the viewing area can watch the live program on 10-1, 20-1, 8-1, Dish, DirecTV and Mediacom.
In addition to station broadcasts, viewers in Pioneer PBS’s viewing area can also stream the premiere live at pioneer.org/live, on YouTube TV, Prime Video, Hulu Live or via the “Live TV” button on the PBS app and pbs.org.
Full episodes can also be streamed at pioneer.org/prairiesportsman, the PBS app, the Prairie Sportsman YouTube channel and pbs.org/show/prairie-sportsman/.
Support
Due to recent funding cuts to Pioneer PBS and other PBS stations across the nation, shows, particularly local programming like Prairie Sportsman, that you love are in jeopardy. Consider becoming a member of Pioneer PBS or Friend of Prairie Sportsman to support the programs you love. For more information, including how to support Pioneer PBS, visit pioneer.org.
About Prairie Sportsman
Prairie Sportsman is an award-winning series produced by Pioneer PBS 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 series producer Tom Desch, with producer, videographer and editor Bret Amundson returning as host. Additional videography and editing is provided by Dan Amundson, Jaryd Smith and Jacob Nubern. The 2026 season is made possible by funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Shalom Hill Farm, Big Stone County, Yellow Medicine County, Lac Qui Parle County, Swift County, Meeker County 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. For more than 60 years, Pioneer PBS has amplified local voices and reflected the people, places and issues that matter most to our region.
Headquartered in Granite Falls, Minnesota, with towers in Appleton, Worthington and Fergus Falls, Pioneer PBS reaches more than one million viewers across western Minnesota, the eastern Dakotas and northern Iowa. We are honored to be your television station—the only station in western Minnesota telling your stories. As we celebrate 60 years of storytelling, we invite you to help ensure these stories continue for the next 60 years and beyond.
Learn more at pioneer.org or call 800-726-3178.
