Inside Chip Leer’s Wildside

My goal for this website is to create meaningful connections among outdoors people, like me, whose passion for their pursuit goes beyond catching a bigger fish, or hiking to a higher peak. I want to explore what drives those passions—skiing, climbing, cycling, whatever they may be—and more importantly, to discover how the balance that pursuing an outdoor lifestyle provides helps us be more successful in our lives, and in our work.

From an early age I was outdoors driven, and devoted much of my free time to hiking, camping, fishing and hunting with my father, uncles and friends, and to alpine ski racing. My passion was so strong that I even spent time as a crew member on a commercial fishing rig in Alaska before attending college.

After college, however, things were different. I held a series of jobs that provided neither the satisfaction nor inner peace my soul required, and my life turned. Without that strong connection to the natural world, I became lost and unsure of who I was; I spiraled into a self-destructive existence punctuated by bad choices, alcohol and drug abuse, and failing personal relationships. 

Too many years later, and during my second stint in rehab, I finally realized that I was sick of feeling sick; I got clean and sober and once again turned to the outdoors. The time I spent in a boat, on a trail or next to a campfire brought serenity and the feeling that I’d returned to my place in the world.

For more than a decade afterward I was a full-time fishing guide in northern Minnesota, while at the same time competing in professional fishing tournaments. Success on these fronts led to the next adventure—becoming a sportfishing educator and communicator. Through print, radio, television and digital media, on both the regional and national levels, I spent more than 20 years helping other anglers excel at their chosen pastime. In April 2019 I was inducted into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, and in 2020 into the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame.

My life continues to revolve around sportfishing, and not only as a participant. I remain very active as a tournament emcee, and as an advocate for the MN-FISH Foundation & Coalition which works to preserve our valuable natural resources. But at the same time, I’ve discovered a renewed passion for other outdoor activities, and find that I also get a profound sense of peace and contentment while hiking, running, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing with my wife Ineke. My personal love of flatland running, in fact, has evolved into a zeal for participating in number of organized high-elevation runs, including a grueling 50K known as The Rut run in Big Sky, Montana.

It’s through these activities that I’ve found a new center, a new balance, that helps me live the best life I can. And through the ChipLeer.com website, my Wildside Podcast and Inside the Wildside newsletter I hope to connect with likeminded people, whatever their outdoor pursuits might be.

There’s great value in sharing insights and experiences, and how the outdoor lifestyle influences everyday life. I sincerely hope you’ll join us, and share what’s Inside Your Wildside.

Chip Leer Fishing

Contact Chip Here

Friends,

I love hearing from you.  Your stories, outdoor lifestyle insights, tips and content suggestions are my fuel.  To get in touch, please fill out the contact information below.  –Due to the volume of correspondence I receive, I unfortunately cannot reply to everyone—but know I read it all and take your message to heart.

Get outdoors and enjoy the Wildside!

Chip

Reach Out

CONTACT CHIP LEER

Chip Leer Bio

From his beginning as a professional fishing guide in Minnesota to his current standing as a premier outdoor educator, author and broadcast personality, Chip Leer has dedicated his 30-plus year career to advancing the sport of fishing, and helping anglers excel at what they love to do most. His path has wound through print media, radio, television and competitive walleye fishing.

During his days as a fishing guide Chip founded the Leech Lake Guide Coalition and oversaw the growth of the organization’s showcase event, the Leech Lake Evinrude Walleye Classic, into one of the Midwest’s largest walleye fishing tournaments.

While the Minnesota and National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame angler has authored numerous technique-driven how-to articles for esteemed publications such as Midwest Outdoors, Minnesota Sportsman and his own Fishing the WildSide electronic magazine, Chip is most noted for his appearances on many fishing television shows and as the stage host for a number of major league fishing tournaments.

Besides developing the popular Fishing the WildSide and Fishing the WildSide On-Ice television series, he was also a regular host on In-Fisherman TV, and made numerous appearances on North American Fisherman TV, Midwest Outdoors TV, Ron Schara’s Minnesota Bound and others. And as the stage host and emcee on the National Walleye Trail, Chip regularly appears on CBS Sports Network, World Fishing Network, Wild-TV  and the Pursuit Channel.  

Chip also has a deep passion for organized high-altitude trail running, alpine skiing and enjoys hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing with his wife Ineke. And while his life remains centered on anglers and sportfishing, his latest project, the ChipLeer.com website, these types of outdoor activities. More specifically, on the spiritual and emotional connections athletes and participants have with their chosen sport, and with each other.

10% of profits donated to non-profit groups

Chip Leer is committed to supporting organizations who preserve, protect or enhance natural resources as well as non-profits that provide education and/or unique outdoor life-experiences to humans thru education and mentorship.

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