The Brainerd Jaycees is a non-profit organization made up of members between the ages of 18 to 40. The mission of the organization is to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change. The organization hosts many events throughout the year and all proceeds raised get donated back to local charities and organizations.

One of the primary events is the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza. The first contest was held in January of 1991. The founders never expected the event would become the world’s largest ice fishing contest and put Brainerd, MN on the map. The winter event generates over $1 million in revenue for area businesses and over $150,000 for area charities annually. Over $3 million has been donated since its inception.

The Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza is organized from start to finish by volunteers of the Brainerd Jaycees and carried out with the support of several community members and local businesses. Each year, the event is led by a chairperson who is selected and voted on by the committee. Below is a list of fearless leaders from previous years.

1991
Chris Dalbec

1992
Kevin Dens

1993
Bob Slaybaugh

1994
Don Ryan

1995
Bill Rickmeyer

1996
Ron Imgrund

1997
Bart Harmer

1998
Ron Meyer

1999
Greg Neff

2000
Iain Olness

2001
Ed Vobejda

2002
Jim Davis

2003
Steve Jobe

2004
Brian Lindberg

2005
Shawn Ridler

2006
Mary Devine Johnson

2007
Taylor Fitterer

2008
Brian Sedlachek

2009
Jeff Hegg

2010
Brent Morris

2011
Roberta Jay

2012
Troy Imgrund

2013
Cori Wrobel

2014
Matt Castle

2015
Sarah Stenerson

2016
Angie Nelson

2017
Brandon Freihammer

2018
Shane Meyer

2019
Clint Meyer

2020
Jeff Baillif

2021 (Virtual)
Benji Thoennes

2022
Andrew Jay

2023
Tad Johnson

2024
Katherine Thoennes

1991
Ken Geiszler
6.83 lb Walleye

1992
Don Ruppert
8.42 lb Eelpout

1993
Brent Rothgarn
5.24 lb Eelpout

1994
Lee Purdham
4.32 lb Eelpout

1995
Don Johnson
7.61 lb Eelpout

1996
Tim Winter
8.71 lb Eelpout

1997
Matthew Penner
13.34 lb Northern Pike

1998
Bob Nelson
9.07 lb Walleye

1999
Lindsey Raddatz
9.04 lb Walleye

2000
Julie Colman
9.17 lb Walleye

2001
Doug Meier
6.65 lb Walleye

2002
Tracy Smith
9.32 lb Northern Pike

2003
Ernie Kinney
6.63 lb Walleye

2004
Dean Olson
4.46 lb Walleye

2005
Sara Kitzman
3.71 lb Walleye

2006
Jake Scherer
2.22 lb Tullibee

2007
Tim Piehl
4.91 lb Northern Pike

2008
Terry Schwichtenberg
5.34 lb Walleye

2009
Zachary Bailey
5.98 lb Walleye

2010
Curtis Yess
6.26 lb Walleye

2011
Andrew Schultz
7.18 lb Northern Pike

2012
Luke Botzek
6.37 lb Walleye

2013
Bror Linnerooth
4.41 lb Northern Pike

2014
Art Karsky
4.73 lb Walleye

2015
Steven Baumgartner
6.73 lb Northern Pike

2016
Dan Volbert
5.33 lb Walleye

2017
Les Laidlaw
5.54 lb Northern Pike

2018
Stephen Lyogky
3.10 lb Northern Pike

2019
Gary Creger
5.20 lb Northern Pike

2020
Warren Arnold
8.29 lb Eel Pout

2021 (Virtual)
Chuck Betterman
40.50 in. Northern Pike

2022
Cody Sablatura
9.15 lb Northern Pike

2023
Zac Padrnos
9.45 lb Walleye