Brainerd Ice Fishing Extravaganza Goes Statewide and Virtual
Brainerd, MN — Tournament organizers, along with the direction of state officials, have made the decision to continue forward with the annual charitable ice fishing contest in a virtual format. Officials have determined that due to the ongoing pandemic the most responsible choice is to continue the tradition of the Extravaganza in a different way, asking anglers to fish on any lake in Minnesota during the normal contest time and date. “Safety of all involved is our main concern this year,” said event chairperson Benji Thoennes. “We know that the event will be different, but we hope to encourage everyone to get out fishing with their families and win some great prizes, which keeps in line with what the Extravaganza has always been about.”
The Brainerd Jaycees Virtual Ice Fishing Extravaganza in will take place on January 30, 2021 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. central time. Participants will be allowed to participate on any lake in the state of Minnesota. All six eligible fish species native to Brainerd’s Gull Lake will be announced at a later date. Fish will be entered into a web-based application by the contestant. The application will go live, in real time, day of the contest.
Pre-purchased tickets must be registered by January 15, 2021 to be eligible to participate in the new format. Register your ticket by entering all required information here https://forms.gle/LyqZcAXPra99rM6z8.
Participants will be subject to all applicable MN DNR licensing requirements. More information will be announced in the coming weeks as tournament organizers work through the details of planning a virtual event.
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.
Find the most up to date event information at www.icefishing.org.