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Brainerd Jaycees contest officials and the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office have decided to postpone the charitable ice fishing contest held on Gull Lake until February 6 in the interest of safety. “The warm weather has had an adverse effect on the lake ice; the result being inconsistent ice thickness through-out our lakes. The safety for our volunteers, personnel and those attending the event is the Sheriff’s Office main concern. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Brainerd Jaycees for all the dedication and support that has been offered and look forward to a fun and safe event in the very near future,” Lieutenant Scott Goddard stated.

“With the latest cold snap, we were optimistic the ice would be ready for us, but Mother Nature had another plan,” Chairperson Angie Nelson said, “however, it’s critical that we make sure the contest site is safe. This announcement will hopefully allow our participants enough time to adjust their plans to join us in three weeks.”

A postponement date of February 6 is listed on all contest tickets. Contestants stand to win over $200,000 in prizes this year if they catch one of the 150 fish! In addition, a random prize drawing for additional prizes including an Ice Castle Mille Lacs Hybrid fish house and an Arctic Cat Prowler, other gift cards, and ice fishing accessories totaling nearly $40,000 in prizes is held.

The Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos Comedy Show hosted by the Jaycees at Grandview Lodge will continue to be held on Friday, January 22. Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Brainerd Warrior Fishing Team in support of our next generation of anglers. Tickets may be purchased online at www.icefishing.org or stop in at Anderson Cleaners in Brainerd.

First held in 1991, this event has never been canceled and been postponed only two other times, in 2002 and 2012. The contest was moved to a different lake once in 2006. Proceeds from the world’s largest charitable ice fishing tournament has donated over $3-million to Brainerd-area charities, most notably Confidence Learning Center. The volunteer-run event is organized by the Brainerd Jaycees who have over 140 members contributing more than 75,000 hours and nearly $200,000 to the community annually.

Eager anglers are encouraged to monitor the Extravaganza Facebook page and web site at www.icefishing.org to purchase tickets or get information including up to date reports on ice conditions.

Brainerd, MN – Anglers from around the United States are getting ready to hit the ice of Gull Lake in hopes of catching a prize winning fish at the world’s largest charitable ice fishing tournament. The 26th Annual Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza is scheduled for Saturday, January 23rd.

With ice thickness varying widely around the state there has been some concern about conditions. The Jaycees are closely monitoring the area of Gull Lake where the contest is held. Projected low temperatures which dominate the forecast in central Minnesota are expected to range from the teens to below zero in the time leading up to the contest. The Jaycees are optimistic that Hole in the Day Bay of Gull Lake will have enough ice.

“Our plans are a go for the 23rd,” says Chairperson Angie Nelson, “We’ve been in close communication with the Sheriff’s Department and will continue to do so in order to make a timely decision should there be a change in plans. We know how important this event is for our anglers, supporters and the entire community. If a change in plans is required an announcement will be made on Friday, January 15.”

The Extravaganza boasts nearly $200,000 in prizes for lucky or skilled anglers and prizes are awarded to the largest 150 fish registered during the three-hour contest. First place wins a new Ford or GMC 4×4 Pickup, 100th place earns an Ice Castle Red Lake Edition Fish-house valued at over $15,000, and 150th place takes home an Arctic Cat ATV. Additional prizes such as ice augers, fish locators, ATV’s, underwater camera’s, and various gift cards are placed randomly among the top 150 places. In addition, a random prize drawing for additional prizes including an Ice Castle Mille Lacs Hybrid fish house and an Arctic Cat Prowler, other gift cards, and ice fishing accessories totaling nearly $40,000 in prizes is held.

All proceeds from the Jaycees Extravaganza directly benefit non-profit organizations serving a variety of community needs. Confidence Learning Center, an outdoor education and recreation facility for persons with developmental disabilities is the primary recipient of the funds each year. Donations to 50 organizations from last year’s event totaled over $186,000.

Kicking off the Extravaganza weekend will be the Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos Comedy Show hosted by the Jaycees at Grandview Lodge. Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Brainerd Warrior Fishing Team in support of our next generation of anglers. Advanced tickets are selling quickly – be sure to go to www.icefishing.org to purchase tickets today!

Eager anglers are encouraged to monitor the Extravaganza Facebook page and web site at www.icefishing.org to purchase tickets or get information including up to date reports on ice conditions.

Brainerd, MN – The Brainerd Jaycees 26th Annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza is set for January 23, on Gull Lake’s Hole in the Day Bay, north of Brainerd, MN. This year’s prize list is valued at nearly $200,000. Contest tickets are available for a discounted price of $30 November 1-30 at all Mills Fleet Farm locations, and the Mills Indoor Shooting & Archery Center. As of December 1, contest tickets will be available for $50 at all ticket outlets through the event date.

The 26th Anniversary has much in store, including the Catch of the Day Extravaganza Give- Away, Lindy Bounty cash prize, and a Kick-Off party featuring Dueces Wild Dueling Piano Show. If you cannot attend the event, there is also the Extravaganza raffle, with total prizes valued at $40,000. Tickets for this are $10 each and can be purchased from several Brainerd area charities and at all Minnesota ticket outlets.

The Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza is completely volunteer run and all event proceeds are donated to area charities. The primary beneficiary is Confidence Learning Center, an outdoor recreational facility and camp for individuals with developmental disabilities. However, over 60 organizations in the Brainerd Lakes Area have received donations throughout the event’s history, which has exceeded $3.3 million in total. More information and official updates can be found at www.icefishing.org.

Brainerd, MN – Unseasonably warm winter weather brought more than 11,000 people to the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Gull Lake Saturday. After the past couple years of wind and cold, this is exactly what was needed. The crowd was evidence enough that everyone was ready for the fishing to go on. Participants from as far away as Poland were on Gull Lake trying to ‘catch the big one’ in hopes of winning $200,000 in prizes.

At 12:02 p.m. the first angler entered the weigh-in tent carrying a perch. The winning fish didn’t arrive until approximately 2:45, but Steven Baumgartner from Owatonna, MN, landed it- a northern pike weighing 6.73 lbs – caught with a shiner in just 15 feet of water. When asked about his strategy, Steven said,” I wasn’t having luck at 26 feet, so I thought I’d give it a try in shallow water, and that sure worked.” Baumgartner chose the new GMC pick-up truck from Mills Automotive Group. Winning the Catch of the Day Extravaganza Give-Away ice fishing package valued at nearly $9,000 was Rome Anding of Lake City, MN. His perch weighed in at .65 lbs so he also took home a StrikeMaster Ice Auger for 141st place on the leader board. Anding has been attending the contest for 10 years and was more than happy to hook up a new Ice Castle to his truck for the ride back home. There were a record 1,240 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 Sarah Stenerson, the chairperson of the tournament this year. She said, “This was a great day for us, for our contestants, and for the entire community. The 25th anniversary of the Extravaganza was a phenomenal success!”

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 nearly $3 -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 25th Annual Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza officials were formally issued an event permit on Wednesday, January 14th, by the Crow Wing County Sherriff’s Department. Sheriff Todd Dahl and Sgt. Adam Kronstedt met representatives from 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 24th from 12:00-3:00 p.m. Each year this event is held on Gull Lake located seven miles north of Brainerd, MN. “The early ice was a blessing for us this year. We are very excited to celebrate the 25th Anniversary next Saturday,” said Sarah Stenerson, event chairperson. “Also make sure to get your tickets for the “official” 25th Anniversary Party to be held Saturday evening at 8:00 pm,
featuring 80’s rock from Arch Allies. It’s going to be a day and night to remember!”

The volunteer-run Extravaganza draws approximately 10,000 anglers annually who compete for nearly $200,000 in prizes. There are 150 contest prizes including a new Ford or GMC 4×4 Pick-up, Arctic Cat ATVS, Ice Castle Fish Houses, and 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 150 members in the Brainerd Lakes area. Collectively the members of the Brainerd chapter donate over 20,000 hours and $200,000 to area charities and causes each year. For more information on the Brainerd Jaycees visit www.brainerdjaycees.com.

Brainerd, MN – The Brainerd Jaycees 25th Annual $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza is set for January 24, on Gull Lake’s Hole in the Day Bay, north of Brainerd, MN. This year’s prize list is valued at nearly $200,000. Contest tickets are available for a discounted price of $30 November 1-30 at all Mills Fleet Farm locations, and the Mills Indoor Shooting & Archery Center. As of December 1, contest tickets will be available for $45 at all ticket outlets through the event date.

The 25th Anniversary has much in store, including the Catch of the Day Extravaganza Give-Away, commemorative Extravaganza beer, and an anniversary concert featuring Arch Allies, with music of Styx, Journey, and REO Speedwagon. If you cannot make it to the event, there is also the Extravaganza raffle, with total prizes valued at $40,000.
Tickets for this are $10 each and can be purchased from several Brainerd area charities and at all Minnesota ticket outlets.

The Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza is completely volunteer run and all event proceeds are donated to area charities. The primary beneficiary is Confidence Learning Center, an outdoor recreational facility and camp for individuals with developmental disabilities. However, over 50 organizations in the Brainerd Lakes Area have received donations throughout the event’s history, which has exceeded $3 million in total donations. More information and official updates can be found at www.icefishing.org.

Brainerd, MN – In spite of the chilly Minnesota weather, more than 9,500 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 and Tulibees stole the show with 30 of the top 40 fish by weight. Participants from as far away as Australia were on Gull Lake trying to ‘catch the big one’ in hopes of winning $200,000 in prizes.

At 12:06 p.m. the first angler entered the weigh-in tent amongst a crowd of excited onlookers. The winning fish didn’t arrive at the weigh-in tent until approximately 2:30, but Art Karskay from Nisswa, MN, landed it- a walleye weighing 4.73 lbs – caught in 55 feet of water. When asked about his strategy, Art said,” We fished in the same area last year and my son won a prize, so we thought we’d give it a shot again, and I am very excited that it worked.” He will go home with a new Ford or GMC pick-up truck from Mills Automotive Group. Winning the Catch of the Day Extravaganza Give-Away ice fishing package valued at nearly $9,000 was James Bruggeman of Buffalo, MN. His perch weighed in at .58 lbs so he also took home a MarCum LX-3 for 66th place on the leader board. 15-year old Nick Peterson from Brainerd landed the 24th place prize of $2,400 cash with a 1.4 lb tulibee in about 60 feet of water. Fortunately he was fishing with the Special Edition Emerald Shiner Color Lindy Rattlin’ Flyer Spoon, which boosted his prize by $3,000. When asked what he was going to do with the cash, Nick stated, “I’m saving for a truck as I will be getting my license in the next year.” There were 382 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 Matt Castle, the chairman of the tournament this year. He said, “We are thrilled with the great turnout for this year’s contest. The impact on our community is immeasurable, and I am humbled to be a part of it all.”

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 nearly $3 -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 24th Annual Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza officials were formally issued an event permit on Tuesday, January 14, by the Crow Wing County Sherriff’s Department. Sheriff Todd Dahl and Sgt. Adam Kronstedt met the Brainerd Jaycees on Gull Lake’s Hole in the Day Bay to verify the ice conditions, and found 17-19” of clear, consistent ice, sufficient for next Saturday’s event, throughout the contest site.

The Extravaganza is on Saturday, January 25th from 12:00-3:00 p.m. Each year this event is held on Gull Lake located seven miles north of Brainerd, MN. “The weather leading up to this day has been perfect for the upcoming contest, the ticket sales have been great, and we are ready to go,” said Matt Castle, 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 ATVS, Ice Castle Fish Houses 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 – National Geographic is creating a new reality television series focused on all things ice fishing and will be filming an episode at the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Jan. 25. The show will follow a group of seasoned fisherman who represent the culture of ice fishing in America throughout the series and will air later this year. The film crew will spend nearly one week in the Brainerd lakes area filming many different aspects of ice fishing, the preparation of the Extravaganza on Gull Lake’s Hole in the Day Bay, and the contest itself.

This is the second time in the 24-year history of the Ice Fishing Extravaganza that it will be featured by National Geographic. Almost 22 years ago there was a two-page spread including an aerial photograph of the event in the September 1992 edition of National Geographic The Magazine. “We are thrilled that National Geographic is interested in showcasing our event, ” said Angie Nelson, a representative of the Brainerd Jaycees, “ fishing contests are a very important aspect of ice fishing culture.”

The Extravaganza location was chosen in part because of the uniqueness of the event which boasts more than 10,000 participants annually and its robust prize list of 150 prizes valued at more than $200,000. In addition, it is the world’s largest charitable ice fishing contest organized strictly by volunteers and the proceeds are donated to area charities totaling nearly $3 million in its history.
For more information on the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza visit www.icefishing.org. The Brainerd Jaycees are a leadership development organization for men and women ages 18-40.
Founded in 1939 they have more than 130 members. The Brainerd Jaycees donate more than 30,000 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 24th Annual $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza Saturday, Jan. 25 on Gull Lake’s Hole in the Day Bay, north of Brainerd, MN. Over 10,000 anglers are expected to compete for one of 150 prizes valued at more than $200,000.

Throughout the history of the event, contestants from as far away as India, Germany, and Hawaii have participated.

Contestants can expect the same great event as in years past with the opportunity to win large prizes at various places on the leader board – 1st place wins a GMC or Ford pick-up truck, 100th place goes home with an Ice Castle fish house, and Arctic Cat 4-wheelers are spread throughout the list. The Lindy Big Fish Bounty is back again this year, where the 24th place winner can earn $3,000 in addition to the $2,400 on the prize list if they catch the winning fish on the special edition Emerald Shiner colored Lindy Rattlin’ Flyer Spoon available exclusively at Mills Fleet Farm stores. Also returning this year after a one year hiatus is the Catch of the Day Extravaganza Give Away, and additional contest within the Extravaganza, giving participants the chance to win a prize package valued at $9,000 for an additional $5. Stamps for this contest can be purchased online and at Mills Fleet Farm in Baxter.

Event organizers are ready for this year’s event, and the cold weather has surely been beneficial for the ice conditions. As of last week, 12-16” of ice was reported throughout the contest area at Hole in the Day Bay. “Although it has been a cold couple of months, we are very excited that the conditions are favorable for the Extravaganza,” said Matt Castle, event organizer with the Brainerd Jaycees, “planning has been smooth and we are looking forward to another successful contest.” Tickets are available for purchase online, at Brainerd area outlets and at all 34 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 beneficiary is Confidence Learning Center, an outdoor recreational facility and camp for individuals with developmental disabilities. However, more than 50 organizations in the Brainerd Lakes area have received donations in the history of the event, which is likely to exceed $3 million in charitable donations this year. More information and official updates can be found at www.icefishing.org.