Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Extravaganza Week! Free Lake Maps!


Recommended Posts

I think this is shaping up to be one of the best Extravaganzas ever. We have the ice and the fish, plus the weather looks like it is going to get a little nicer for Saturday. We always get pretty excited for this weekend each winter. It really gets the juices flowing again. This whole week we will prepare for a crazy two days here at the shop. It reminds me a little of the walleye opener in May. Everyone has great anticpation that this might be their year. Who knows? Everyone has a chance and luck plays the most important factor. That and great bait from Sportland, just kidding. Like always we will run the extra hours and have free lake maps of the contest on the counter. I re-did the maps this year, making them a little easier to read. We hope to see you all this weekend and we want to wish you the best of luck.

How many contests for you guys/gals? I think I have been there for most of them. Has anyone been to all of them? How bout any first timers? It would be cool to see how many FMers make it each year.

Jason Erlandson

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First timer here, from ND and I don't get your way enough so I was just wondering if you would be able to give any helpful advice on what to expect this weekend? Times to be on the ice, bait, ect...

I know that the fishing spot has a pretty good depth variety from 10' to 60'. But what I dont know is if the bottom is rocky, weedy, muddy, or is it all of the above depending on where you fish?

Just a heads up would be nice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well hopefully you experience beginners luck. Winning fish have come from many depths anywhere from 10 feet out to the deepest in the contest area. The area is a flat where fish tend to roam. Bottom content is mostly hard bottom consisting of sand, gravel, and scattered rock. There may be some light weedgrowth in the shallower areas but nothing real heavy. I would bring your typical walleye and perch fishing set ups. Small to med. jigs or jigging spoons work well tipped with a minnow or minnow head. For minnows I recommend shiners, rainbows, or fatheads. Some anglers will concentrate on trying to catch perch, tullibee, or rock bass. For these three I would go a little smaller and use a wax worm. As for the needed gear I have a good thread on this board featuring the must haves. I usually head out there between 9-10:30 am. There are always plenty of holes. Just bring your luck and dress warm. Have fun, it is a great time out there.

Jason Erlandson

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Where are the rules posted? Are you only allowed to fish one hole? How about electronics...can you bring the Vex along? Also, if you get there at 9, but can't fish till noon, who monitors that and how?

Also, what do most people bring with them...do you pull out a small sled, or just a bucket with your stuff?

Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hole per ticket. you can bring electronics. most people bring what they can fit in a bucket. including a small chisel.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Junior9, the rules are listed on the Ice Fishing Extravaganza web site. The chisel is important, makes it easier for you to move holes and change strategies. As far as monitoring, the site is divided into 4 areas. There are roughly 40 volunteers in each area serving as officials. Not all of them are wearing vests so you just never know if they are watching you. If they see you with a line in the water or anything else suspicious, they'll check you and if your breaking the rules, there are no warnings...you just wasted your entry fee. It's actually pretty well controlled and polygraphs are issued each year. To date, nobody has failed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Deitz, The more the merrier. Good luck. I think you will have a great time. Don't forget to get a couple of raffle tickets too. Lots of awesome prizes available. Stop by if you get a chance.

Jason Erlandson

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have never fish this contest and was thinking of coming up there on sat. I have a couple of questions. I have a couple of sons that want to come, they are 11 and 17, would they be able to fish the contest? I would coming from Owatonna, mn., where would the best place to park and get bait when we get there on sat morning? Thanks in advance, Jim.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jim, yes the Extravaganza is open to all ages, glad to hear you will be involving your sons. There is a special youth ice fishing obsticle course that will run from 9:00 - 11:00am. The first 150 or so youth under the age of 14 will automatically win a prize bucket valued around $150. Get your investment back before the tournament starts if you can make it in time. I'd visit S & W bait just south of the Extravaganza site. Parking is at Brainerd International raceway and the shuttle busses will run you back and forth. It's really pretty simple and well signed. Good luck and have a great day with the kids!!

Bob

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Jim, you guys will have a blast out there. Kids usually have a great time hopefully you guys will hook into a big one. When you guys are driving up Saturday morning there are a couple of places to park and ride the shuttles. The one that is the least crowded and closest to the contest area is at the stoplights just north of the contest area. As you drive by Gull Lake you'll see the contest festivities, take a right at the next set of stoplights. It is about 2 miles north of the contest. The parking/shuttles are at the church and we are at the bait shop right across the road. We can help you get all set up and maybe offer a few tips. Just have fun and you will be coming back year after year. It is truely one of a kind. Good luck.

Jason Erlandson

Link to comment
Share on other sites

first timer here also will probably not be the last! Coming up with a crew of 10 guys and girls. You got me confused? We can hole hop??? or are you talking about fishing two holes? Hope to see everyone there and will have a good time! Good Luck everyone!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

please people read the rules at icefishing.org It will clearly state what you keep asking.

one hole per ticket.

all rules inforced.

bring a chisel.

no bait provided on ice.

goes on and on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You can hole hop but you can only fish one line per ticket. If you buy two tickets you could fish two lines. Good luck.

Jason Erlandson

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for all your input. We can buy our tickets right at the event when we get there right?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey jason, will you be able to set us up with some winning bait? thanks in advance, Jim.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Jim, You can buy tickets out on the ice at the contest. The minnows that we have for this weekend have been training all year for this event. We'll do our best to sell you the winners.

Jason Erlandson

Link to comment
Share on other sites

trust me the using a hotdog in 50 to 60 feet of water. Is going to catch you the winning fish. Cheetos will only get you perch.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Shhhh! You don't want to be giving away the secret bait.

Jason Erlandson

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the advise Jason, Is their any one up there that sells Strikemaster bibs, I'm looking to pick up some. thanks, Jim.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jason- If I am in the area I will for sure say hello!.. Thanks for the luck.. I'll need it. 8-)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Jimmy, I do not recall seeing any of the Strikemaster bibs anywhere. The most common ones in the stores around here are the Ice Armor and the Arctic Armor suits. It might be worth a stop on your way up maybe the Cabelas in Rogers, or the Sportsmans Warehouse in St. Cloud. Now that Reeds has left Baxter some of that stuff is harder to get up this way.

Jason Erlandson

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Camp Bob,

Good Luck with the contest this year I sure will be missing it. I am coaching one of my daughters Basketball team.

Marty

Chaska Jaycees

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This weekend is going to be my first time.... (in this contest that is...) Ha, anyway.... I was just wondering what the story is about parking near the site. I see that there are shuttles from all over the county converging onto the grounds. I'm thinking I'm not going to be a "shuttle type" of guy. I was planning on possibly staying on the lake on Saturday night after the contest.

Is there another landing nearby where I could park my vehicle, and unload my gear onto my 4-wheeler? That way I could just cruise across the lake and park on the shore someplace... Is that a possibility? I'm just not sure the rules about getting onto the grounds of the contest. I know you cant park inside the tournament area, but would I be able to park outside it on the shore someplace?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Where can you find the listings of where the shuttles are coming from? I couldn't find them on the website.

Does anyone know if there is a shuttle that comes from the North as well as the one from BIR? I won't be able to fish the contest, however it would be nice to go see all the activity for a while. I really don't want to mess with all the traffic if I don't need to. Didn't they run busses from Shaeffers last year?

CA

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is one that goes out of the church parking lot across the street from Sportland, much less hassle than BIR I think.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry I couldn't reply earlier today, it has been pretty crazy at the store. They do have the shuttles running from the church here across the road from our bait shop. From what I have observed it seems to run real smooth at the church. They never run out of space and I never see anyone waiting. The busses keep running non stop. I think it is a great deal for anglers. Well I gotta go see you all tomorrow. Good luck.

Jason Erlandson

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.