Press Release

Brainerd Jaycees Announce Early Bird Sale Begins at Fleet Farm

Brainerd, MN — The Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza will be held on Saturday, February 3rd, 2024, so be sure to save the new date! The contest will still be at noon on Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

The Extravaganza draws over 10,000 anglers annually who will compete this year for more than $250,000 in prizes. All proceeds from the event are donated to charities.

Starting Tuesday, November 1st, 2023, annual sponsor, Fleet Farm begins their month-long early bird sale with contest tickets discounted to $35. This is the biggest sale on the Extravaganza tickets, so contestants will want to buy early to save. Catch of the Day and raffle tickets are also sold in Minnesota Fleet Farm stores. Catch of the Day tickets are $10 this year as the prize package is worth over $17,000. On December 1st contestants can purchase their $50 tickets at participating outlets and on icefishing.org.

The Brainerd Jaycees Extravaganza is also proud to announce the return of its kick-off party! This year, they will welcome Charlie Berens, a comedian, Emmy-winning journalist, and New York Times best-selling author, to the stage on February 2nd, 2024 for the Extravaganza Kick-Off Party.

Charlie Berens may be most well known for creating the Manitowoc Minute and his social following of 7.5 million viewers. His hilarious Midwest content has captured plenty of attention!

The Extravaganza kick-off party will be held at the Gitchi-Ziibi Center for the Arts Auditorium in Brainerd, fitting 1,2000 audience members. The midwestern professor’s Good Old Fashioned Comedy Tour will begin at 7:30 P.M, and doors open at 6:30 P.M. General admission tickets will be available for purchase on December 1st, 2023 for $45. For information on tickets and the event, go to icefishing.org/kickoffparty.

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. 

Permit issued for Ice Fishing Extravaganza for January 25, 2020

Brainerd, MN—The 30th Annual Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza has been issued its event permit. On Jan. 16, the Brainerd Jaycees and Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Department checked ice conditions on Gull Lake’s Hole in the Day Bay and found 16-18 inches of ice throughout the two-square mile contest site. “The 30th anniversary of this event is going to be better than ever, and we are ready to host 10,000 of our closest fishing buddies next Saturday,” said contest chair Jeff Baillif.

The Ice Fishing Extravaganza is world-renowned and has drawn more than 10,000 people annually for nearly 25 years. People and media from across the globe attend this event which is the world’s largest charitable ice fishing contest. “The charitable aspect plus the $200-thousand-dollar prize package is what keeps people coming,” said Angie Nelson, marketing coordinator for the Brainerd Jaycees.

The proceeds of the Ice Fishing Extravaganza are donated to more than 50 area charities with Confidence Learning Center as the primary beneficiary. The Brainerd Jaycees have donated more than $4 million since the event was founded.

The Brainerd Jaycees would like to thank participants, contestants, sponsors and area businesses for their ongoing support. Tickets can be purchased at Brainerd-area outlets and on the ice the day of the contest. Visit icefishing.org for all contest details.

Tullibee Really was the Catch of the Day

Brainerd, MN – Preliminary estimates indicate that over 11,000 people were in attendance at the world’s largest charitable ice fishing tournament Saturday for the 27th annual Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza. As always, contestants came from as far away as Western Europe, and also from across the country, including Hawaii, New York, California, and Texas to name a few.

Tullibee was the name of the game on the leaderboard throughout the day at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Brainerd’s Gull Lake, taking 137 of the 150 spots on the leaderboard.

At 12:03 p.m. the first angler entered the weigh in tent amongst a crowd of excited onlookers. There were 826 fish weighed in this year. Les Laidlaw from Mankato, MN landed the winning fish, a 5.54 lb. Northern Pike in feet of water using a jammin’ jig. When asked if he would choose the GMC or Ford, Les said, “I’m a Ford guy,” so he will be taking home a new Ford truck after today, courtesy of Mills Automotive Group.

There are two notable characteristics about this event – it is entirely volunteer organized and run, and 100% of the proceeds are donated to charities. The Brainerd Jaycees invest nearly 25,000 volunteer hours in the year-long planning of the contest. Amongst the 350 volunteers was this year’s chairperson, Brandon Freihammer. He said “The enormous impact of this event on our community and the charitable organizations we donate back to is the reason we are all here. The commitment and dedication of the volunteers is impressive, and I am humbled to be at the helm of such a large event.” The largest beneficiary is Confidence Learning Center, and outdoor education facility for individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities. The Brainerd Jaycees have donated nearly $3.5 million to over 50 charities since the first Extravaganza in 1991.

The 2018 Event is scheduled for Saturday, January 27.

 

Permit Issued for Brainerd Jaycees Jan. 28 Ice Fishing Tournament

Brainerd, MN—The Brainerd Jaycees and Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Department checked ice conditions on Gull Lake’s Hole in the Day Bay on Friday, Jan. 20, and found 20” of ice throughout the contest site. The event permit was officially issued. “We are excited the ice conditions are in our favor this year. Next weekend will bring a great impact to our community, and we are ready for it,” said contest chair Brandon Freihmmer. Contest organizers look forward to seeing participants at the 27th Annual Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza next Saturday, January 28. The Brainerd Jaycees would like to thank participants, contestants, sponsors and area businesses for their ongoing support. Tickets can be purchased at Brainerd-area outlets and on the ice the day of the contest. For more information go to the event website at icefishing.org.

27th Annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza Tickets Available Tuesday, November 1st

 

Brainerd, MN – The Brainerd Jaycees 27th Annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza is set for January 28, 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 27th Anniversary has much in store, including the Catch of the Day Extravaganza Give-Away, Lindy Bounty cash prize, and a Kick-Off party featuring Deuces 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 charitable organizations and at all Minnesota ticket outlets.

The Brainerd Jaycees 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 $3.4 million in total. More information and official updates can be found at www.icefishing.org.

27th Annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza Tickets Available Tuesday, November 1st

 

Brainerd, MN – The Brainerd Jaycees 27th Annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza is set for January 28, 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 27th Anniversary has much in store, including the Catch of the Day Extravaganza Give-Away, Lindy Bounty cash prize, and a Kick-Off party featuring Deuces 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 charitable organizations and at all Minnesota ticket outlets.

The Brainerd Jaycees 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 $3.4 million in total. More information and official updates can be found at www.icefishing.org.

Permit Issued for Brainerd Jaycees Feb. 6 Ice Fishing Tournament

Brainerd, MN—The Brainerd Jaycees and Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Department checked ice conditions on Gull Lake’s Hole in the Day Bay on Friday, Jan. 29, and found 14-20” of ice throughout the contest site. The event permit was officially issued. “Safety is our number one priority so we’re thankful that by postponing the event two weeks there is more than enough ice to host the contest,” said contest chair Angie Nelson. Contest organizers look forward to seeing participants at the 26th Annual Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza next Saturday, February 6. The Brainerd Jaycees would like to thank participants, contestants, sponsors and area businesses for their ongoing support. Tickets can be purchased at Brainerd-area outlets and on the ice the day of the contest. For more information go to the event website at icefishing.org.

Brainerd Ice Fishing Extravaganza Postponed to February 6

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.

Plans Continue for Brainerd Ice Fishing Contest

 

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.