If you had to choose Blaine or St. Paul ?

[mwalleye]

Looking to attend one of the upcoming ice shows. Am looking for some deals? Mostly a new flasher but anything that looks good. Traveling a ways so I am looking for the biggest bang for the buck.

[MNCPRGUY]

+1!

Would also like to know which event has more space. The St Paul event gets awefully crowded.

[FishingFL]

The St. Paul show is always crowded but I have always found deals there so I can't complain too much. The Blaine show will essentially be an all new operation with it being held in the new facility at the National Sports Center. The space is bigger than anything they have had before (in Blaine) and I'm sure it will be full as well. Guessing I'll be at both!

[Brad B]

I would do the st paul show over the blaine show if you can only do one or the other. blaine only has like 40 to 42 vendors right now and st paul will have 150+. To my knowledge the blaine show is a brand new show as of this year.

[JakeJ_Mn]

I have been to the St. Paul show and it's great. I would like to go to Blaine, but up north here deer hunting is still on for us. Be nice to have it another time.

[DTro]

Since this is the first year of the Blaine show I don't think anyone can really answer what it will be like exactly.

If you have never been to St Paul show you need to do it at least once.

Yes it can be crowded at times but that is also kind of the allure of the thing too.

If you are looking for something specific, do your research and come prepared. Most likely you will go home with a deal.

[NAGORSKI]

How come I haven't seen any adds or the $2 off coupon for the St. Paul show?Its still on right?

[broman]

The St Paul Show's HSOforum has link to a $1 off coupon on the left side of their page. They ask you to fill out a form, but you don't have to enter in real information, just fill out what you like.

Google "st paul ice fishing show"

[RiverChuckNorris]

St Paul. Looks to be about 3x the size ("world's largest ice fishing show"). I go religiously every year and have made all major ice purchases over the last 3 years there because of the great deals (camera, portable, tackle, wheelhouse).

That being said, I'll probably venture up to Blaine this weekend to check it out although I feel like $10 is fairly steep

[JBMasterAngler]

Blaine. I plan to be ice fishing when the St. Paul show rolls around.

[Northlander]

No doubt St. Paul will be the bigger/better show. Blaine just is too new right now. That said Im going down on Sat.

[BuckyBadger]

I have been to the St. Paul show and it's great. I would like to go to Blaine, but up north here deer hunting is still on for us. Be nice to have it another time.

+1, it's the Wisconsin Deer opener as well, so I think they are losing out on a large amount of people that would normally attend a show like this.

[gutshot_again]

I have been to the St. Paul show and it's great. I would like to go to Blaine, but up north here deer hunting is still on for us. Be nice to have it another time.

+1, it's the Wisconsin Deer opener as well, so I think they are losing out on a large amount of people that would normally attend a show like this.

Yep, I'd be there also if it wasn't the opener. Unless I fill my tag on Saturday, then I'll be there Sunday for sure. Maybe next year they'll change the weekend.

[NSC Outdoors]

Nice thing about the Blaine Hard Water Ice is free parking, $2 dollar coupon and it's 100% ice fishing show. St. Paul is $20 dollars before you get in the door with ticket and parking and some of the merchandise is winter sports related. Just my two cents and all the major ice fishing suppliers are at Blaine anyway. Wheel houses galore also!!! Park, walk right in and most likely everything your looking for will be there to buy. No problem with either show....get your toys early....

[skee0025]

Yep, I'd be there also if it wasn't the opener. Unless I fill my tag on Saturday, then I'll be there Sunday for sure. Maybe next year they'll change the weekend.

I'm in the same boat. I would much rather go to the Blaine show, but their timing is rotten. I like the St. Paul show but the cost of attending is getting out of hand. Between parking and tickets for my wife and I, I end up dropping 40 before I hit the floor.

[landscaper]

Let us know how the BLaine show is.

We just had our first child monday so i best be staying around home for now.

Hopefully get out for the ST. Paul show!

[mccullen]

Either one is still cheaper than a movie, pop, popcorn and candy. Much more enjoyable than sitting through the latest Twilight movie. I speak from experience.

My choice is any easy one as I live in St. Paul. It also sounds like the Paulie show will be great for kids with a "fishing pond" to get the kids interested. And Santa will be there also. Does Santa visit Blaine? Don't think so!

[nige]

Wasnt going to go to Blaine show as was supposed to be hunting. But popped out my knee cap yesterday so hunting is out. Guess I will go and limp around the Blaine show on Saturday.