Ice fishing is a rite of passage for many Minnesotans, and as News 12's Erick Lind reports MSU is taking a different approach to earn money for their athletic programs, by reeling in avid anglers of the ice.Todd Anderson says, "See that coming up?"Abby Anderson says, "Yeah."Todd adds, "That's your bait. That line there's a fish."Todd Anderson and his daughter Abby usually go ice fishing in the Brainerd Lakes Area.Today found the duo on Lake Washington.They are two of 400 competitors in the 3rd annual Big Bobber Ice Fishing Tournament.Abby asks, "What do you have on the tip-up?"Todd answers, "The biggest minnow in the bucket."Friend says, "Go big or go home."Todd says, "I didn't come for last place."They came to help MSU athletics.The father-daughter tandem live in Bloomington, but came down after a friend tipped them off to it.After an hour into the three-hour event, they could just use a little bigger fish.Todd says, "Nothing big yet. We'll keep working. See if we can't find something a little bigger come through...see what they want."The athletic department sees this as a unique opportunity to raise funds, that doesn't require people to be on a golf course, or a fancy dinner."MSU Women's Hockey Coach Eric Means says, "We hit a different audience. Everyone has a golf tournament and everything in the summer, and here in the winter we hit people that maybe aren't Maverick supporters, but are willing to come out and do some ice fishing."The plan is working.This year the department figures to raise between 10 and 15 thousand dollars.The Andersons don't know the Mavericks much, but they are just enjoying the near perfect day.Todd says, "Bottom line, it's just a good way to spend a day with your kids and your family, catching some dinner. Nothing better than a meal you caught yourself."Nothing better, unless its bringing up the prize winning fish.In Mankato, Erick Lind, News 12.