Every Winter, Thousands Flock To This Minnesota Town For The World's Largest Charity Ice Fishing Tournament
Trent Jonas
Author
Minnesota winters can get long, which is why those of us who live here tend to find plenty to do. One of my personal favorites things to do in winter in Minnesota is to head up to the Brainerd Lakes area for a true North Star State spectacle. And it’s not just me – every winter, thousands of anglers – and a whole lot of spectators – flock to Hole-in-the-Day Bay on the north end of Gull Lake in Nisswa for one of the premier winter events in Minnesota: the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza. It’s the largest charity ice fishing event in the world, and it’s truly something to behold.
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Visit the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza website for more information, to purchase tickets, or to verify the date and times of the event. If you’re heading up for the tournament, consider a stay at nearby Grand View Lodge – it’s right on the lake, so you can snowmobile, snowshoe, or cross country ski over to the tournament. If you prefer accommodations that you’ll have to yourself, check out this cozy lake cabin located right in Nisswa.
Have you fished in or attended the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza? What other unique winter events in Minnesota should we know about?
If you’re looking for more things to do in winter in Minnesota, why not head up the North Shore to Grand Marais and take a day – or a weekend – to explore the Gunflint Trail. I try to make the trip at least once every winter – there’s always something amazing to discover up there on the trail!
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Things To Do In Winter In Minnesota
With all the winter we usually get, you can bet that we in the Land of 10,000 (frozen) Lakes can come up with plenty of things to do in winter in Minnesota. Here are a couple of our favorites:
- Attend the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. It's the oldest event of its kind in the country, having started in the 19th century and still going strong today.
- Head up to the Ely Winter Festival. Not only is it a wonderful event, it's also a great excuse to visit the charming town of Ely, which truly comes alive in wintertime.