Ice fishing contests?

[Rippinlip]

How many go to these and do you go actually to try to catch something or just for the good time?

I am talking about any and all including the Brainerd JC', Eelpout festival, The big Jig, etc.

If you do which would you recommend and why.

[Juice88]

I think the Brainerd event should be experienced at least once. It's really an amazing spectacle and a good time. I used to live in Brainerd, and the jaycees do a nice job.

I went to Eelpout back in the early '90s...I think I took in more liquid than the fish if you know what I mean.

[half-dutch]

The Brainerd Eelpout festival is a wide open public party with the lawyers as an excuse. Quite a celebration.

Other types of contests run from very seriously run large scale professional fishing contests to club leagues just like on open water. You have to be pretty heavily sponsored up for many of the professional contests and be willing to travel, but the club leagues are a whole lot more just plain folks and generally pretty local, although generally every bit as serious about catching fish as the pros.

If you really want to know about local techniques and catches, the leagues are the least expensive route. Some of them are more formal and managed than others, just like you would find with bowling or softball leagues or open water fishing leagues.

[Juice88]

Sorry to correct you Dutch, but I have to stand up for Brainerd (being that I'm from the area). The City of Walker and Leech Lake host the Eelpout Festival. The Brainerd Jaycees run the Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Gull Lake. Here is their HSOforum:

www.icefishing.org

[mr_jman]

All of them are probably worth going to at least once. The prizes are really good at the bigger events but TONS of people go. Eelpout in Walker is more of a party and although I would probably bring fishing gear I maybe would just take in everything else. They have auto racing on the ice, rugby matches, other contests, bands and things in the evening. Look it up and check out the pictures!

Another bigger event is in Alexandria I think its a Jaycees one as well. Top prize is a truck.

If your looking to go and win prizes and catch fish, some of the smaller local contests may be worth checking out. Still a lot of fun and a little less competition. It doesn't mean your going to win but you at least feel like you've got a shot!

[Chode2235]

Where can one find more information about local clubs and leagues?

[gregg52]

ya juice is right

brainerd jaycees do a very good job of organizing a contest

that draws 8k to 12k people..i've done all but 2 of em i think

and the money they raise actually goes to where its spose to go

i've never been to walker for that deal but hear say says

that more of a party deal

not that people dont indulge at the jaycees but its only 3 hr contest compared to a whole week end

both good for the economy up here

[mole]

Brainerd is great, be sure to catch the friday nite party, $20 and all the appetizers you can eat (great food). Fishapolooza in Forest Lake is good, bring your pike gear. Big Bobber out of Mankato gives you a better chance to actually win something, no trucks or boats but I won a Guide-lite sled last with 30th place. Other smaller contests around also.

[skee0025]

If you dont mind traveling the Devils lake tourney at the end of January is a good one. They have some great prizes and they limit the number of entries to about 3000 if I remember correctly

[deadeye]

I like the brainerd one. I went for the first time last year and was suprised at how massive it was. We were trying to catch a fish but didn't get overly serious about it.

The one in Forest Lake was always fun too, it just always seemed that it was always rescheduled and then I couldnt make it due to work. Some of the smaller contests are fun too, I think you may have a better chance catching a fish and getting a prize at them too.

[fishingalex]

I've had a lot of fun at the Ice Fishing Challenge on LeHomme Dieu in Alexandria. Prizes for top 100 fish. F150 for 1st place. It is February 13th, 2010. Usually about 2000-4000 people.

[Camp Bob]

If you are looking to try one of the big contests this year, you can save some $ by getting your Brainerd Jaycees ticket at any Fleet Farm this month only for just $20.

[Sir_Jonny_Fishalot]

I like the forest lake fishapalooza. It has all the big prizes with out being massively large. There site says they have a skeeter boat again for last place. And there raising money for a good cause to.

[senco 1]

Lake Oscar just west of Alexandria. A fun one that you can fish out of your fish house. This is nice on the cold January days! The grand price drawing is for a fish house on wheels!

[slimmer]

Ditto the fishapalooza. Had a blast there in 08. Look forward to it again. I hope the bikini ice fishing team is there again

I can't beleive all the big dollar prizes they have! 5 drop down fish houses. wow!

And they raise money for our vets and all kinds of local charities.

[mrfish1991]

I know that Brandt's up on mille lacs used to have one, dont know if they do anymore. I remember the grand prize being a 14ft lund the year that I fished it, and I also remember the guy that won it being right in front of us. It wasnt a huge tourney but there was a good turn out, decent raffle prizes and it was good fun.

[Camp Bob]

was on the fishapalooza web site and saw a lot of question marks on the prize list, are those mystery prizes or have they just not confirmed a prize list yet? Got brainerd's brochure in the mail yesterday, a choice of a ford or gmc truck for 1st place, 10 ATV's and lots of other great prizes . Quite impressive.

[gregg52]

ya if you look at the odds on winning at the jaycees

they are pretty good wayyyyyy better than the lottery for sure

all though i live less than 10 mins frpm where it happens

fish in the are alot in the summer use to have a fish house

in that area 17yrs of fishing and not a fish during the tourament...lol

not very lucky person here..obvisouly..lol

[slimmer]

I'll stick to the forest lake contest. At the price of gas now, i'd spend $45 for the 270 mile round trip going to brainerd. The money i don't spend on gas almost pays for the forest lake contest ticket.

Either way, there BOTH good contests that work hard to raise money for charity.

[bogeyman1]

Alexandria Ice Fishing Challenge - Feb. 13 2010. I have been the last 3 years. Great prizes and raffles for charity. I go with the intent of having fun. catching a fish is a bonus. every year I go I say I brought way too much gear. Set up a tip up or rattle wheel and just enjoy being out with 4000 other ice a maniacs. Plan on maybe hitting brainerd this year. they do have a $20 ticket special through fleet farm til the end of Nov.