Brainerd, MN—The 32nd Annual Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza has been issued its event permit. On Jan. 20, the Brainerd Jaycees and Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Department checked ice conditions on Gull Lake’s Hole in the Day Bay and found 16 inches of ice throughout the two-square mile contest site. “Event planning has been going really well this year and we’re excited to host a fantastic contest next weekend,” said contest chair Andrew Jay.

The Ice Fishing Extravaganza is world-renown and has drawn more than 10,000 people annually for over 25 years. People and media from across the globe attend this event which is the world’s largest charitable ice fishing contest. “The charitable aspect plus the $200-thousand-dollar prize package is what keeps people coming,” said Sheena Ziegler, marketing coordinator for the Brainerd Jaycees. 

The proceeds of the Ice Fishing Extravaganza are donated to more than 50 area charities with Confidence Learning Center as the primary beneficiary. The Brainerd Jaycees have donated more than $4.2 million since the event was founded.

The Brainerd Jaycees would like to thank participants, contestants, sponsors and area businesses for their ongoing support. Tickets can be purchased at Brainerd-area outlets and on the ice the day of the contest. Visit icefishing.org for all contest details.

First held in 1991, this event has been postponed three times and moved to a different lake once. Hailed as the world’s largest charitable ice fishing tournament, event organizers have donated over $4 million to Brainerd-area charities, most notably Confidence Learning Center, in its 30-year history. The volunteer-run event is organized by the Brainerd Jaycees who have over 90 members contributing more than 75,000 hours and $200,000 to the community annually.