Reeling in relationships: Duluth police connect with kids through fishing

ON THE ST. LOUIS RIVER — When the fish aren't biting, Ken Zwak has a solution.

"If you're out on Lake Superior, you do the Salmon Dance," the Duluth police lieutenant says. "But if you're here on the St. Louis River, you've got to do the Walleye Waltz."

Zwak throws his arms wide in the air, as if posing with a big catch, and begins spinning in a circle. "You've got to do it with me," he tells a group of fifth graders, leading them through the whimsical dance aboard a pontoon.

It's hardly a normal day at the office for the city's west area commander.

Every Tuesday throughout the summer, Zwak and a couple fellow officers team up to take a handful of local kids out on an area lake or stream for the Duluth Police Department's "Get Hooked on Fishing" program. Mixing recreation and education, Zwak said it's an example of proactive community policing that helps officers build positive relationships with local youth.

For a few hours, Zwak leads the excursions. He asks the kids to call out the various birds they see along the way and name all the species of fish native to the area. He leads them in games like Simon Says and points out landmarks like the Oliver Bridge. He gives hands-on tutorials about how to cast a line and reel in a big one.

"It's about having fun; catching a fish is a bonus," Zwak said. "I always like doing the dances. My dad did that when I was a little kid fishing on Lake Superior. It's one of those things that I've done with my nieces and nephews. And when we come out here now, it's just so much fun. There are smiles on their faces and laughter. And that's what we're here for."

Last week, a group of eight Stowe Elementary School students joined Zwak and fellow officers Jim Forsyth and Bill Helgemoe on picture-perfect day early summer day, taking a ride in department squad cars to their departure point at Mont du Lac Marina.

"The best part was probably fishing," said Izaiah Sorvik.

"Snacks," said Eli Pfeffer.

"The drinks," opined Keira Bunt.

The students earned the opportunity to skip out on a portion of the school day as a result of winning the school's Peacemaker Awards — given monthly to those who show qualities of strong character and kindness, as once described by Martin Luther King Jr.

Teacher Jessica Graves said the 10- and 11-year-olds were brimming with excitement.

"They love getting out of the classroom, and Stowe is a very environmental school," she said. "We focus a lot on being outside and being in nature. So this is a really fun opportunity for them."

Throughout the summer, Zwak said the department will rely on community groups like the Valley Youth Center, Neighborhood Youth Services and the Boys & Girls Club to provide kids for the outings. They usually take around eight kids ranging in age from elementary to high school ages, along with an adult representative from the organization.

The program actually started some 25 years ago, when Zwak, then a new officer, was among a handful of officers who were recruited to join local kids in fishing from shore. That lasted for a few summers until it was dissolved, with Zwak in 2017 reviving the program that he saw as particularly beneficial to community relations.

"When I was a sergeant working the street, there was a guy that was unbelievably upset, demanding a supervisor to come to the scene," he recalled. "And I got to the scene and the guy looks at me and says, "You're Officer Zwak. You took me fishing.' It totally deescalated the situation. I didn't remember him, but he remembered me. It just totally shows how much doing this and building relationships with the kids means."

This time, the program has been a hit. The department has received numerous donations, with Cabela's helping get the program off the ground and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources later offering a grant. Last week, the Larry and Donna Pulkrabek Foundation presented a $9,999 check. Local businesses including Marine General and Chalstrom's offer supplies and bait.

Donations funded the purchase of the 30-foot pontoon in 2020, but pandemic restrictions over the past two years has meant this will be the first summer it gets regular use. The boat, docked at Pier B, allows for excursions under the Aerial Lift Bridge and out onto Lake Superior — a magical experience, Zwak said, for kids who have never been out of the water before.

"Nothing but good can come from going out fishing," he said. "There's so many places in the city of Duluth that you can take a bus to or walk to. If you learn this skill, you can use it. It's a good thing; it keeps you out of trouble."

The donations also now ensure that each child leaves with a T-shirt, fishing rod and tackle box — physical keepsakes to remember their day with the police department.

So what did the kids learn?

"That policemen can be fun," Eli said.