2026 Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Gull Lake
- Camp Nisswa
- 15 hours ago
- 4 min read
A Camp Nisswa photo gallery from a day spent on the ice
Some events are best understood once you’ve walked through them. The 36th Annual Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza was one of those days.
On Saturday, January 31, 2026, we ventured out onto Gull Lake, spending the day walking Hole-in-the-Day Bay with cameras in hand. This blog was designed as a photo-forward recap of the event—capturing what it looked like and felt like on the ice—paired with helpful context on how an event of this size was run.
Quick Photo Gallery Link
What the Ice Looked Like
One of the first things that stood out was how open and organized the tournament area felt.
All fishing holes had been pre-drilled ahead of the event
No wheelhouses or portables were allowed inside the tournament fishing area
Wheelhouses were parked along the outer edges of the contest boundary
Anglers fished with only what they could carry onto the ice
The result was a clean, walkable layout—long rows of anglers spread across the bay, uninterrupted sightlines, and a clear sense of structure across the entire contest area.
Getting There & Moving In
Access to the lake was handled entirely off-ice, keeping traffic flowing smoothly.
Primary parking took place at Brainerd International Raceway (BIR)
Overflow parking was located north of the contest area near Nisswa, close to the Holiday station
Shuttle buses ran continuously from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, transporting anglers and spectators both ways
Sleds and fishing gear were allowed on the shuttles, while propane was not permitted. Once dropped off, it was boots on the ice and a walk into one of Minnesota’s largest winter gatherings.
Center Ice: The Heart of the Event
At the middle of the tournament area was center ice, and it truly served as the hub of the day.
This is where we found:
Food trucks and vendors
Beer tents
Raffle ticket sales
The weigh-in tent
Busch Light curling, which quickly became a crowd favorite
Music, announcements, and steady foot traffic
Center ice stayed busy all day long. Anglers cycled through to warm up, grab food, check standings, try their hand at curling, and reconnect with friends before heading back out to their holes.
A Giant Tailgate on Ice
The overall atmosphere felt less like a traditional tournament and more like one massive tailgate on a frozen lake.
We saw:
Groups grilling brats on mini grills
Friends sharing snacks and stories between bites
Families bundled up and smiling through the cold
Steady action all afternoon, with fish being caught and brought directly to the weigh-in tent
There were smiles everywhere. Even for those not chasing the leaderboard, the experience itself was a big part of the draw.
How the Contest Ran
The contest officially ran from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, starting with a cannon fired shortly after the National Anthem and ending with another cannon at 3:00 PM.
Throughout the afternoon, we watched a well-organized system in motion:
One hole per ticket, with a maximum of two holes if two tickets were purchased
Fish were required to be brought alive and immediately to the weigh-in tent
Only the heaviest fish per angler counted toward prizes
Judges, volunteers, law enforcement, and DNR officers remained visible and active across the ice
Given the scale of the event, everything moved efficiently and safely from start to finish.
A Big Local Win
The biggest moment of the day belonged to Thomas Johnson, who won the tournament with a 5.63-pound walleye caught on Gull Lake.
A local angler taking the top spot felt like a fitting way to close out the afternoon.
Why This Event Mattered
The Extravaganza was run by the Brainerd Jaycees, with proceeds benefiting Confidence Learning Center and more than 50 additional local charities.
An event of this size doesn’t happen without a massive behind-the-scenes effort.
Thank you to:
The Brainerd Jaycees and event committee
The many volunteers who kept things running smoothly
Law enforcement, first responders, and safety personnel
Vendors, sponsors, and media partners
And the entire community that showed up and supported the cause
It was a day built on preparation, teamwork, and a shared commitment to doing things the right way.
Looking Ahead
For those already planning ahead, the next Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza is scheduled for February 6, 2027.
Scroll through the photo gallery below, spot familiar faces, and take in what a frozen lake filled with thousands of people actually looked like.
This was winter in the Lakes Area—cold, crowded, well-run, and completely worth the walk out.
Learn More About the Extravaganza
For full results, raffle information, official rules, and details on future events, visit and follow the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza:
Website: https://www.icefishing.org/
Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/TheExtravaganza
Whether you fished it, volunteered, or just came out to take it all in, this event continues to be one of Minnesota’s most iconic winter traditions.
