Month: January 2023

The Brainerd Jaycees get the green light from local officials

Brainerd, MN—The Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza in conjunction with local officials have been closely monitoring ice conditions and are excited to announce they are satisfactory for the January 28, 2023 contest.

Chairperson Tad Johnson states, “Our first and foremost priority is to ensure the safety of all participants, volunteers, and community members. We are excited that mother nature has been on our side.” 

While ice conditions are acceptable on the contest site, the ice across Gull Lake, and many area lakes, is inconsistent. Please exercise caution when driving on the lake, and always check depths to ensure your safety. Officials request that everyone in wheelhouses leave ample room between each other, suggesting at least twenty feet between houses on the ice.

First held in 1991, this event is hailed as the world’s largest charitable ice fishing tournament; event organizers have donated over $4.3 million to charities, most notably Confidence Learning Center, in its 32‐year history. The volunteer‐run event is organized by the Brainerd Jaycees who have over 50 members contributing more than 75,000 hours and over $200k to the community annually. This family-friendly event is a great way to spend the day while having a chance at winning one of $200,000 in the process!

Contest tickets, along with raffle tickets and Catch of the Day tickets, can be purchased at Fleet Farm and local Brainerd area outlets as well as the Extravaganza website: icefishing.org. Please visit the website or Facebook page at facebook.com/TheExtravaganza for the most up-to-date information and opportunities to volunteer. 

Extravaganza Ticket Sales Mailing Deadline

Don’t miss your chance to get Extravaganza tickets mailed to your house! The deadline to buy online and have tickets mailed to you is Friday, January 13 at midnight. After January 13, all tickets sold online will be available for pickup at the will-call booth at center ice. The line at will-call can be long. We encourage anglers to buy online before the deadline so they can be mailed.

(Click here to buy your ticket now.)

Other ways to purchase tickets:

  • Center Ice: Tickets can also be purchased in the ticket tent at center ice starting at 8 a.m. on the day of the contest.
  • Outlet Locations: Tickets are available at a variety of outlet locations around the Brainerd Lakes area. (View outlet locations.)
  • Fleet Farm Locations: Tickets are available at all Minnesota Fleet Farm stores.

Don’t forget to also get your $10 raffle tickets for your chance to win an Ice Castle fish house, Polaris side-by-side, and many more prizes! Raffle tickets are available at Minnesota Fleet Farm stores, official outlets, and on the ice at the tournament. Raffle tickets are not sold online.

We appreciate your support, and wish you good luck at the tournament!

Scroll to top