If you’ve ever reeled in a fish or watched a Montana sunset from the water, you know the outdoors has a kind of magic that stays with you. But for many people with mobility challenges, that magic has always felt just out of reach.
That is why Wheelchairs & Walleyes, a nonprofit based in Hazen, North Dakota, is changing the way people experience the outdoors—one ramp, one lift, and one unforgettable fishing trip at a time. Their mission is simple but powerful: make outdoor spaces truly accessible to everyone, regardless of physical ability.
And right from the heart of Missoula, Montana, Aqua Creek Products is helping them do just that. Known for their innovative aquatic access equipment—from pool lifts to dock solutions—Aqua Creek is all about turning “you can’t” into “let’s make it happen.” Their support is helping to push the boundaries of what’s possible in inclusive recreation, and they’re proud to back a movement that aligns with their core mission: giving people the freedom to enjoy life without limits. They donated two lifts to the organization, which will be used in North Dakota.
The impact of Wheelchairs & Walleyes is already rippling across the region. It all began when the founders of the organization saw firsthand how little access existed at local lakes for individuals with mobility needs. So they built and donated the most inclusive disabled-person ramp, and Aqua Creek Products donated lifts to the organization for use at Hazen Bay and Devil’s Lake in North Dakota. That ramp project launched a now-annual charity fishing tournament and a community celebration: Children’s Mobility Awareness Day, officially proclaimed for July 25, 2024.
The result includes unforgettable moments and kids and parents who never thought they’d fish together get to share the water for the first time. One parent wrote:
“The gift you gave me and my daughter is something I only believed was possible in a dream. I had all but given up on my lifelong dream of being able to take my daughter fishing with me.”
Within a week, the nonprofit was flooded with regional requests, sparking what’s now a growing movement. Because independence, joy, and access to the outdoors shouldn’t be a luxury—it’s a right.
So whether you’re in Montana, North Dakota, or beyond, it’s clear: with help from companies like Aqua Creek Products, organizations like Wheelchairs & Walleyes are proving that inclusion is more than a mission—it’s a promise.
You can follow Wheelchairs & Walleyes on Facebook here and Aqua Creek Products on Facebook here.
Photo credit: Aqua Creek Products Facebook
