Brainerd Lakes Chapter 24 of Muskies Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The purpose of Muskies Inc. is the improvement of the sport of Muskie fishing. Our mission is to unite all Muskie-fishing interests for the promotion and protection of a high quality muskellunge sport fishery in the United States and Canada. We will accomplish this by supporting conservation practices, especially catch and release, and research based on sound scientific merit, and carried out by authorized federal or state agencies, appropriate academic institutions, Muskies, Inc. Chapters, and their members. We are committed to the abatement of water pollution, maintenance of records for muskies habitat, growth and range and the dissemination of Muskie information
- Income
- $34,123
- Spending
- $28,477
- Reserves
- 12 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 42%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $25,142 spent. In 2025 the organization continued supporting the following initiatives: Youth, Fisheries, Research Summary 2025 Youth-Brainerd Parks and Rec Annual youth fishing clinic that teaches kids aspects of fishing. The chapter volunteers several people to assist in running stations for 150 to 200 kids. Casting, knot tying, AIS, boat safety, fishing contest, fish identification are just a few things we teach kids. Brainerd Everything Outdoor Youth Expo- the organization does many of the same things here as it does at the Brainerd Parks and Rec event. The Organization paid the event organizer to sponsor the event and to help him fund many of the events. Funds contributed: $500 Brainerd Warriors Youth Fishing Team- The chapter donates monies to help sponsor the High School Fishing Team. A few volunteers also offer time to help teach the team how to fish using multiple presentations. Funds contributed: $990 Pillager Huskies Youth Fishing Team-The chapter donates monies to help sponsor the High School Fishing Team. A few volunteers also offer time to help teach the team how to fish using multiple presentations. Funds contributed: $990 Aitkin Youth Fishing Team- The chapter donates monies to help sponsor the High School Fishing Team. A few volunteers also offer time to help teach the team how to fish using multiple presentations. Funds contributed: $850 High School Muskie Tournament- The chapter donates monies and prizes for this annual tournament. The tournament gathers several mid MN High School teams together to fish for advancement to the HS State Championship. The chapter also volunteers multiple people to help run the 6 to 8 hour event. Funds contributed: $762 Annual Youth Event- The chapter has put on an annual youth night for many years. In 2025 we rented out the community center and promoted the event, requiring registration of this free event. We had attendance of about 60 kids. We ran them through numerous stations where we did things such as fish identification, minnow races, lure building, reel races, arts and crafts, knot tying, invasive species education and a virtual fishing contest. We gave away many prizes including a tackle box and some gear for each youth that was there, as well as provided a hot dog dinner. The chapter also volunteers about 15 members to help run this event. Funds contributed: $2356 Fisheries Adopt-a-Landing program. Much like the Adopt-a-Highway program, we have adopted 5 different public accesses on area lakes where chapter members make an extra effort to care for when in the area or using the landings themselves. Gull, Alexander, North Long, Mille Lacs and Cedar Lakes. In the spring, we promoted a lake cleanup challenge through our membership and non-members. We offered a small prize for a random drawing for those that submitted pictures of their cleanup efforts. No funds spent in 2025 Research-Typically, the chapter donates monies on an annual basis or as requested by the local DNR for their projects and studies. In 2025, they were looking for PIT Tag Injectors, which we purchased and provided them at a cost of $3,101. Membership Development- We conduct an annual membership drive at one of our monthly meetings. It serves as a reminder for folks to renew their membership as well as hopefully attract new members. Everyone that signs up or renews draws from a deck of cards and they will receive either $5 or $10 off of their membership the chapter covers this cost. And if anyone draws the Joker, their membership will be free. We had 12 sign ups or renewals at our 2025 membership drive.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2013 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on February 15, 2021.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2021.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.