Chanda Gebhardt: Growing Community, Catching Walleyes & Giving Back
SZN01 / EP GUN013
Women Who Lead, Walleyes That Bite, and a Northwoods Adventure You Don’t Want to Miss
If you’re the kind of person who believes the best stories happen on the water, you’ll want to catch the latest episode of Gear’d Up North — because this week, we’re spotlighting an incredible woman making waves in Minnesota’s outdoor community: Chanda Gebhardt.
A Day on the Rainy River with Chanda
While co-host Jared Petrie was up filming the legendary SJR500 tournament on the Rainy River, he snagged a day on the water with Chanda and her fellow Women Anglers of Minnesota (WAM) member Sarah Greene. Between catching walleyes and swapping stories in Sarah’s Ranger boat (affectionately named Monkey Business), Jared got to know what makes Chanda such a powerful voice for women in the outdoors.
Garden center owner, philanthropist, mentor, outdoor writer, and volunteer guide — Chanda wears a lot of hats, and she wears them well.
More Than a Garden Center Owner
Chanda’s day job is running Fairview Gardens in Sauk Rapids, MN, a thriving business she’s built over the past 23 years. But her true passion is service — especially when it comes to empowering women in the outdoors.
She’s spent seven years on the board of Women Anglers of Minnesota, helped grow the organization, and volunteers for events that connect lady veterans with fishing and pheasant hunting opportunities. She’s also deeply involved with Mandatory Fun Outdoors, offering foraging and fishing trips to build community and outdoor skills.
And when she’s not mentoring on the water or in the field? You’ll find her contributing wild game recipes, foraging articles, and sturgeon fishing stories to Adventuress Magazine.
Why You Should Listen
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
Chanda’s journey as a woman business owner and outdoor mentor
The people and moments that inspired her to give back through service
The value of Women Anglers of Minnesota and women-led outdoor programs
Her favorite fishing memories, go-to gear, and Northwoods adventures
How you can get involved, whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to the sport
It’s a feel-good, fish-hooked, memory-making kind of conversation that’ll leave you fired up to hit the water and pay it forward.
Listen to the Full Episode Now
Click here to stream Episode 013 of Gear’d Up North featuring Chanda Gebhardt
And while you’re at it:
Follow Chanda on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok — just search Chanda Gebhardt.
Check out Women Anglers of Minnesota and get plugged into a community that’s changing the game for women in the outdoors.
Subscribe to Gear’d Up North so you never miss a new story from the lakes, woods, and backroads we all love.
Tight lines, friends — and we’ll catch you next time on Gear’d Up North.
