Press Release

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

Brainerd, MN ‐ In spite of a postponement and a fickle winter an estimated 8,000 people attended the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Gull Lake Saturday. The crowd was evidence enough that everyone was ready for the fishing to go on. Participants from as far away as California were on Gull Lake trying to ‘catch the big one’ in hopes of winning over $230,000 in prizes.

At 12:02 p.m. the first angler entered the weigh‐in tent amongst a crowd of excited onlookers. Luke Botzek, a first timer from Foley, MN, landed the winning fish ‐ a walleye weighing 6.37 lbs ‐ in 60 feet of water using a live minnow. When asked about his prize, Botzek said, “I’ll have to check them both out before I decide.” He will go home with a new Ford or GMC pick‐up truck. Winning a new Crestliner boat for the biggest perch caught was Bradley Cox of Monticello, MN. He was a first time participant as well and said, “I’ll be dancing all the way home!” His perch weighed in at .75 lbs. In 100th place, taking home an Ice Castle Fish house, was Denise Yeager of St. Cloud, MN. She caught a .51 lb perch on a tip‐up.
When asked what she was going to do with the Ice Castle, she said, “This is exactly what I wanted to get my husband Thom for his birthday yesterday.” There were 764 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 Troy Imgrund, the chairman of the tournament this year. He said, “We are thrilled with the turn out this year and appreciate that our contestants turned out this weekend even with the postponement. We will still make a huge impact on our community.”

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 $2.7 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 – Tournament organizers have decided to postpone the charitable ice fishing contest on Gull Lake until Feb. 11 in the interest of safety. Officials have determined that ice conditions are close, but not quite enough to host the event on Jan. 21 since the 3‐4 day forecast is unlikely to produce enough ice to obtain an event permit before officials would want to announce a change in the event’s status. “Safety of our participants is the number one concern,” said Troy Imgrund, event organizer, “We also want to give participants enough time to adjust their plans so they’ll join us in three weeks.”

All tickets pre‐purchased will be honored on Feb. 11. Tickets will continue to be sold online, and outlets will sell tickets until the day of the event. Contestants stand to win over $200,000 in prizes this year if they catch one of 150 fish. Refunds will not be issued but if ticket holders are unable to attend the 2012 event a voucher for the 2013 event will be given.

First held in 1991, this event has been postponed only one other time in 2002 and moved to a different lake once in 2006. Hailed as the world’s largest charitable ice fishing tournament, event organizers have donated nearly $3‐million to Brainerd‐area charities, most notably Confidence Learning Center, in its 21‐year history. The volunteer‐run event is organized by the Brainerd Jaycees who have over 140 members contributing more than 75,000 hours and $200,000 to the community annually.

Find the most up to date event information at www.icefishing.org.