Brainerd, MN: Despite the frigid wind chill and wind gusts of up to 50 mph, an estimated 10,500 people attended the 23rd Annual Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Gull Lake Saturday. Participants from as far away as India and France were on Gull Lake trying to ‘catch the big one’ in hopes of winning more than $200,000 in prizes. At 12:02 p.m. the first angler entered the weigh-in tent and registered a 0.2 lb. perch.

Bror Linnerooth from Brainerd, MN landed the winning fish – a northern pike – weighing 4.41 lbs – in 35 feet of water using a hook and a fathead. When asked how it felt to catch the winning fish Linnerooth said, “I never thought it would be me. I knew the fish was going to make the prize list, but first place is unbelievable!” He will go home with a new Ford or GMC pick-up truck. In 100th place, taking home an Ice Castle Fish house, was Wade Breer of fergus Falls, MN He caught a walleye weighing in at 0.49 lbs. When asked about winning the Ice Castle, Breer said, “I am out of breath and speechless. What a great ending to a day spent with some of the greatest people in the world!” There were 551 fish registered in the three hour contest.

Hailed as the world’s largest charitable ice fishing contest, there are two notable characteristics about this event, it is completely volunteer run and 100% of the proceeds are donated to charities throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area. The Brainerd Jaycees invest more than 20,000 hours in the planning of the contest. Amongst the 400 volunteers was Cori Wrobel, the chairperson of the tournament this year. She said, “We had another incredible year! The ice conditions cooperated, the crowd was wonderful, and we just can’t thank all of the volunteers and contestants enough for participating.”

The largest beneficiary is Confidence Learning Center, an outdoor recreational facility for people with developmental disabilities, but an estimated 50 charities will benefit from the proceeds of the event. The Brainerd Jaycees have donated $2.8 million to charities since the first Extravaganza was held in 1991. All official event information can be found online at www.icefishing.org including a complete winner’s list.

Brainerd, MN—The 23rd Annual Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza officials were formally issued an event permit on Thursday, January 10, by the Crow Wing County Sherriff’s Department. Sheriff Todd Dahl and Sgt. Scott Goddard met the Brainerd Jaycees on Gull Lake’s Hole in the Day Bay to verify the ice conditions, and found clear, consistent ice, sufficient for next Saturday’s event, throughout the contest site.

Officials and event organizers want to encourage those attending to use the free shuttles available at Brainerd International Raceway and at the old Nisswa Flea Market on Highway 371 North. Shuttles begin at 8:00 am and run until the last contestants are off the ice.

The Extravaganza is on Saturday, January 19th from 12:00-3:00 p.m. Each year this event is held on Gull Lake located seven miles north of Brainerd, MN. “We are thrilled by the winter weather we’ve had, and with over 7,500 tickets pre-sold we expect this could be a record year,” said Cori Wrobel, event chairperson.

The volunteer-run Extravaganza draws more than 10,000 anglers annually who compete for more than $150,000 in prizes. There are 150 prizes including a new Ford or GMC 4×4 Pick-up, Arctic Cat snowmobiles and ATVS, an Ice Castle Fish House to a number of other ice fishing related prizes – not one less than $250 in value.

All proceeds are donated to area non-profit organizations with Confidence Learning Center—an outdoor center for persons with developmental disabilities (www.campconfidence.com)—being the primary beneficiary.

It takes three days to set-up the event site which becomes the second largest city in Crow Wing County that Saturday. There are approximately 20,000 holes pre-drilled for the anglers to choose from. Official information, tickets, and current updates can be found at www.icefishing.org.

The Brainerd Jaycees are a community and leadership development organization for men and women ages 18-40. Founded in 1939 they have grown to over 130 members in the Brainerd Lakes area. Collectively the members of the Brainerd chapter donate over 20,000 hours and $250,000 to area charities and causes each year. For more information on the Brainerd Jaycees visit www.brainerdjaycees.com.

Brainerd, MN—The Brainerd Jaycees will be holding the 23rd Annual $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza Saturday, Jan. 19, on Gull Lake’s Hole in the Day Bay, north of Brainerd, MN. More than 10,000 anglers are expected to compete for one of 150 prizes valued at more than $200,000. In the history of the event contestants from as far away as Hawaii and Germany have participated.

Contestants can expect the same great event as in years past with the large prize list and the unique opportunities to win a major prizes at different spots on the leader board—1st place wins a new pick‐up truck and 100th place wins an Ice Castle fish house. Back again this year is the Lindy Big Fish Bounty where the 23rd place winner can earn $3,000 in addition to the $2,300 on the prize list if they catch the winning fish on a the special edition Clown colored Lindy Rattlin’ Flyer Spoon available exclusively at Mills Fleet Farm stores.

While the contest was postponed in 2012 due to ice conditions across Gull Lake, event organizers are optimistic that’s an unlikely issue for the 2013 event. 12‐14” of ice is reported throughout the contest site at Hole in the Day Bay and according to area fishing guides there are no indications of open water or slush at other spots on Gull Lake. “We are excited that ice conditions and the extended forecast are favorable,” said Cori Wrobel event organizer with the Brainerd Jaycees, “and planning for another successful event is in full swing.” Tickets are available for purchase online, at Brainerd‐ area outlets and at all 32 Mills Fleet Farm stores for $45.

The Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza is completely volunteer‐run and all event proceeds are donated to area charities. The primary benefactor is Confidence Learning Center which is an outdoor recreational facility and camp for people with developmental disabilities. However, more than 50 organizations in the Brainerd‐lakes area have received donations in the history of the event which will most likely tip the scales at $3‐million in charitable donations this year. More information and official updates can be found at www.icefishing.org