Ice Fishing Extravaganza moves to phone app with ice conditions in question

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.