Worlds Biggest Ice Fishing Contest Brainerd Minnesota

Worlds Biggest Ice Fishing Contest Brainerd Minnesota

Thousands of eager anglers will be wrangling for the best spot as the world's largest ice fishing contest kicks off this weekend.More than 10,000 people will brave Baltic conditions and make the trip to Brainerd, Minnesota, to take part in the annual Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza.

The meeting is the biggest of its kind in the world and offers a tempting cash prize of around £91,000 ($150,000) to the champion.

‘When the tournament started the weather was pretty decent, and I could get up in the helicopter and take the amazing aerial shots.

‘But soon after the conditions plummeted and the wind really picked up. It was so strong that anything not bolted down was getting blown over - even people were being knocked down and blown across the ice.

‘The temperature with wind chill dipped to -40 Fahrenheit and many competitors gave up and left. But there were some hardcore fisherman who decided to stay, fish, and drink beer.’

The event has been held each January since 1991 and takes place at Gull Lake in the city of Brainerd. This year's event will take place on January 25.

The one-of-a-kind event is organised by the Brainerd Jaycees - a not-for-profit organisation made up of around 200 people between the ages of 18 and 40.

The Jaycee movement - the United States Junior Chamber - aims to train young people in areas including business development, management, community service, and international connections.

Worlds Biggest Ice Fishing Contest Brainerd MinnesotaWorlds Biggest Ice Fishing Contest Brainerd Minnesota
Worlds Biggest Ice Fishing Contest Brainerd MinnesotaWorlds Biggest Ice Fishing Contest Brainerd MinnesotaWorlds Biggest Ice Fishing Contest Brainerd MinnesotaWorlds Biggest Ice Fishing Contest Brainerd MinnesotaVia[dailymail]