Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza

Sports Illustrated photographer David E. Klutho takes us through the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza!

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

Participants line up at dawn to enter Gull Lake through one of the check points.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

Contestants from 38 states and at least 6 countries use sleds to bring a variety of equipment to their spots.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

It took 65 volunteers, 3.5 hours and over 40 StrikeMaster powered augers to drill the 25,000 plus holes available for this years contest.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

The contest area encompasses two square miles on Gull Lake's "Hole in the Day Bay" in Brainerd, Minnesota.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

The augers are operated by two person teams in order to trade off for continuous drilling until the job is done.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

The workers get to their positions by many means. The event is completely volunteer run and organized.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

S&W Bait and Tackle is open 24 hours the day before the event. Two locals show off some popular baits, "silver shiners" on the left and "rosie reds" on the right.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

A scoop of "rosie reds". All live bait must be under 4 inches to be legal to use in the Extravaganza.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

There are many fashionable and interesting ways to brave the cold.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

This year's Committee Chair Shane Meyer and his kids check out one of the over 25,000 holes cut in the 20 inch thick ice.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

Everyone brings their own necessities including chair or knee pad, portable heater, and of course the entertainment.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

The Minnesota DNR supervises the release of fish after the weigh in. The contest is live release with 80 percent of fish surviving. The fish not released are donated to "Pike for Vets" to help feed homeless veterans.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

Peter and Dakota show off their coyote hats which they trapped and made themselves.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

This Walleye won second place overall and was the largest walleye caught giving the angler a new Arctic Cat Alterra 500 four wheeler.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

All kinds of other activities could be found on the lake. This Bra Pong was raising money for breast cancer awareness.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

The high for the day was in the mid 20's, which kept the beer frosty cold, no coolers needed.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

The Big Fish Leader Board kept track of largest 150 fish, by weight, throughout the contest. A total of $200,000 in prizes were given out this year.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

Many participants come in groups to enjoy this annual event including hot brats and cold beer.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

All fish have to be weighed at the tent in the center of the field, sometimes a long hike from where they were caught. This fish is called a tullibee, and is one of the five main species found in the lake also including northern pike, walleye, and perch.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

The Extravagaza is one of Brainerd's most popular social events and is growing every year. An annual tradition, many groups have attended for over 25 consecutive years.

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing

David E. Klutho

A town, built in the middle of Gull Lake, is the centerpiece of the contest, which attracted over 12,000 entrants this year. All of the proceeds from the event are donated to 50 area charities.