A fisherman and a fisher of men, Father Jake Anderson brings his passion for the Catholic faith wherever he goes. He serves as pastor of St. Lawrence Catholic Church and director of the Newman Center in Minneapolis, and he’s a member of the Companions of Christ. Not surprisingly, his roots trace back to a large Catholic family on a farm in Baldwin, Wisconsin.

“My dad owned his own business, and we children all worked for our parents,” he said. “I grew up wanting to be involved like my dad, so in college, I studied economics and business administration. After graduating, I lived close to home and worked at a local bank.”

A pivotal moment came during that time. “When I became an adult and questioned myself, I thought about the bridge that [collapsed] right near where I worked, and on lunch break, I would watch cranes pulling out wreckage. I thought, if only I had a little while left to live, would I live differently?”

That question led him deeper into the Catholic faith. “I started to do more studying about Catholicism. I read about the Church Fathers. I encountered Jesus, meeting him in the Gospel of Mark. At age 22, I began my life with personal prayer. I knew Jesus could hear me, and I could hear him.”

He soon felt called to enter the priesthood. “I was living a good life, dating girls, and all was going well,” he said. “But I do remember praying, ‘Lord, if you want me to become a priest, I want me to want it.’ Over the year, Jesus changed my desires, even though I wanted to get married.”

When he met diocesan priests living in community, the ideas became real. “I had no idea about a seminary, so I asked at the rectory if I could move in with them. That was what solidified my intentions — holy hours, meals in common. I was ordained a priest in 2015. I love my life and the power of the gospel.”

His childhood was shaped by time outdoors with his father, especially fishing. “My dad taught me how to fish before I could walk,” he said. “I have always grown up in the country with woods, water, and a passion for fishing from my dad.”

But it wasn’t just any fishing — it was fly fishing. “My mom went shopping one day in June and left me at home,” he recalled. “I watched a movie called A River Runs Through It. As soon as it was finished, I said to my dad that I wanted to go fly fishing. He showed me how to cast a fly rod, and that is what got me started. I bought rubber boots, and at 11, that’s when I started fishing daily. I would bike to the river and watch fly fishers. That always seemed like poetry in motion, and I liked that.”

Now he shares that passion with students and fellow priests. “When they get proficient, I take them to the trout pond, and once they get to the river, they know how to fly fish. This builds a lot of good relationships and good conversations.”

He also leads an annual men’s retreat with the St. Zeno group. “I take 12 to 20 men to northwest Iowa, and some have not been before. They love having Mass and prayers every day, and during the day I take them fly fishing. St. Zeno is the saint of flyfishing.”

How often does he go himself? “On a day off, or every few weeks,” he said. 

As for how many fish he’s caught? “Thousands,” he answered, smiling.

Father Jake’s Simple Trout Recipe:

1. Pat fillets dry with paper towels. Season with salt, pepper, coriander, sweet paprika, and a dash of garlic powder.

2. Lightly coat with flour (optional, but adds crispiness).

3. Sear quickly in extra virgin olive oil — 2 to 3 minutes per side.

4. Serve hot and fresh!