BRAINERD — The Brainerd Jaycees announced Thursday, Jan. 25, that this year’s Ice Fishing Extravaganza will change to a hybrid format spread across Brainerd area lakes and using an app called Fish Donkey.
In a news release, the organization stated that they’re making the change to the Feb. 3 event in the spirit of adaptability and safety.
Earlier this week, Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang told Crow Wing County commissioners that 6 more inches of ice would be needed for his office to issue an event permit for the Extravaganza, according to the Brainerd Dispatch.
With the forecast calling for temperatures in the upper 30s and lower 40s, it isn’t likely enough ice would form in time.
Billed as the largest ice fishing contest in the world, the event typically draws thousands of anglers to Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake. Instead, participants may compete by fishing on a Brainerd area lake of their choice.
The Jaycees say they’re working on providing in-person support on main lake accesses across the area to help contestants who might not be familiar with the Fish Donkey app. The app was used in 2021, when the Jaycees hosted the event virtually amid the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Jaycees, the app has seen numerous updates since that time.
Also on Thursday, the Hill City Lions Club announced it canceled its 25th Annual Ice Fishing Contest on Hill Lake, set for Feb. 10. The club said ice conditions and the upcoming warmer weather prompted the cancellation.
-
Contributed/Erin HaefeleWhen the garden or farmers market gives you everything at once, the best way to handle it is to return to the fundamentals: roast, grill, bake, pickle, can, dry, freeze and sauté. These aren’t just methods, they’re survival tools during harvest season. Especially grilling. Because it’s summer. And everything tastes better with a little char and a lot of butter.This week, Amy and Heidi talked to Erin Haefele of Green Scene in Walker, Minnesota, "a charming food haven nestled in the heart of rural northern Minnesota where small-town warmth meets big-city sophistication." Erin inspires us with simple preparations to deliciously fresh garden ingredients. And we hear from Amy's friend Beth Friedrichson from Wisconsin, who gushes about dilly beans and life on the farm with chickens and alpacas.Lots of folks phoned in to talk about their harvests, whether it was peonies in Stillwater, garlic near Detroit Lakes, urban front yard CSAs in Minneapolis, potato varieties in Deer River or stuffed grape leaves in Chicago, you had a story to tell. Share yours! This week's community recipe to cook along with us is Onion Pie: kaxe.org/community-recipe-onion-pie-ham-radio-amy-thielen. Give it a try and send us your reactions and photos at comments@kaxe.org!Ham Radio Features original licensed music — "You Know How I Like It" by Jeremy Messersmith.Made possible by the Minnesota Arts & Culture Heritage Fund. Support KAXE by becoming a member today: https://donate.nprstations.org/kaxe/donate -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEEntrepreneurs shaped downtown more than 100 years ago near the Lake Bemidji waterfront. Members of the Bemidji Heritage Preservation are committed to sharing their stories. -
Contributed/Frazee Hornet Baseball via FacebookRain made for an interesting end to the baseball season for many Class A teams Thursday. Grand Rapids lost in the 3A consolation championship. -
Chelsey Perkins/KAXEThree of the four Republicans voted in favor of rescinding funding already allocated for public media organizations through the CPB and four Democrats voted against. -
Emily John PhotographyKAXE responds to the House vote to rescind public media funding and urges the Senate to protect trusted local news, emergency alerts and community programming in Northern Minnesota. -
Nicole Neri/Minnesota ReformerAlthough education spending will increase, school districts will notice cuts to state aid for special education, school libraries and student supports like counselors and nurses. -
Contributed/Pequot Lakes High School via FacebookBrainerd senior Ty Nelson won another triple jump title Thursday, June 12, 2025, as Northern Minnesota 2A and 3A teams collectively won 88 medals at the state track and field meet. -
Plus: the Northland has nine more state champs in golf, track and field after state tournaments. -
Maria Hileman/KAXEKAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Rich Mattson & Germaine Gemberling, Mae Simpson Band, Sam Miltich, Christopher David Hanson and MorningBird. -
Andrew Dziengel/KAXESummer Muse Festival is meant to be a celebration of the creative spirit of the season featuring artists, musicians and food vendors. Founder Diamond joined ‘Area Voices’ to talk about the festival.
