BRAINERD — The Brainerd Jaycees’ 35th Annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza is Saturday, Feb. 1, with the official event permit issued last Friday after an ice check with the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff's office found about 2 feet of ice, one year after poor ice conditions forced the contest to switch to a virtual format spread across dozens of Brainerd area lakes.
But Mother Nature is still offering up a challenge this year, too. Due to large ice heaving within the contest area, the actual contest site on Gull Lake will be moved closer to shore on Hole-in-the-Day Bay.
“We’re thrilled to see this iconic event return for its 35th year and appreciate the cooperation of the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office in ensuring the safety of our participants,” said Brainerd Jaycee and Extravaganza chairman Mike Kuck in a news release.
“We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the day, but we also want to remind all attendees to respect the ice and follow all safety guidelines. Due to minimal snow, we highly recommend ice cleats this year!”
The contest is billed as the largest charitable ice fishing tournament in the world, drawing thousands of anglers to compete for prizes and raise funds for community projects and local organizations.
Since the tournament began in 1991, the Brainerd Jaycees state $4.3 million has been donated back to the community.
Participating anglers are encouraged to review site maps and contest rules at icefishing.org.
.
-
Andrew Dziengel/KAXEBemidji Community Theater presents "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" Nov. 13-22, 2026. -
Contributed/Book cover—Little, Brown and Company; Author photo—Jaida Grey EagleAuthor and Leech Lake Ojibwe David Treuer’s new book “The Savage Mind: An American Legacy” explores American violence and family history in a letter to his children. -
District 7A Rep. Spencer Igo of Wabana Township is headed back to St. Paul for his fourth term, where he will face a new Democrat trifecta in Minnesota. The Republican says bipartisanship holds the key to making his constituents' voices heard. -
Contributed/Sarah Davis via Kelley SmithThe Brainerd-based musician stopped by KAXE ahead of the release of her debut album out on Nov. 6, 2026. -
Contributed/Michele Jokinen/Minnesota House Public Information ServicesRepublicans selected Sen. Jordan Rasmusson and Rep. Harry Niska as minority leaders for the 2027-28 legislative session, which begins Jan. 12, 2027. -
ContributedWith multiple unsolved missing persons cases, hunters around Beltrami County are also asked to keep an eye out for anything suspicious as they head into the woods. -
Contributed/Pexels via Emre AyataCities like Hibbing and Brainerd saw record-breaking rain and daily low temperatures in early November 2026. -
Co-hosts Julia Schrenkler and Heidi Holtan chat about the traditions of deer camp, reverent hunting, and the surprising birds that eat meat.Send us a voice memo through SpeakPipe! -
Contributed/Laura WadstenThe new documentary from Hunterbrook Media investigates the St. Regis Paper Co. Superfund site, a former wood treating facility in Cass Lake, Minnesota. -
Events this week include an event for Native American Heritage Month in Chisholm and a holiday decor swap in Pine River.
