Section 1 – Event Info

• Date: Saturday, February 7th, 2026

• Times:

  • Event Grounds: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  • Ticket Booths: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

  • Mandatory Kickoff Meeting: 11:30 AM

  • Ice Fishing Contest: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

  • Limited tickets available. Online purchase recommended.​

Section 2 – Tickets & Parking

• Each ticket equals one fishing hole

• Maximum two tickets per person

• No sharing or splitting holes

• No parking on the ice

• No parking in Parkside or boat areas

• Free shuttle from Running Aces (Columbus, MN) starting at 9:00 AM

Section 3 – Fishing Guidelines

• One pole per hole

• Tip-ups allowed (count as a pole)

• Bait must be brought by contestants

• All bait must be 4 inches or less, dead or alive

• Dry bait (waxies, plastics) allowed

• Must follow all Minnesota DNR regulations

• Valid fishing license required

Section 4 – Allowed & Prohibited Items

• Prohibited

  • No shelters, hubs, or wheelhouses

  • No electronics (Vexilar, Livescope, cameras, etc.)

  • No personal augers

  • No spears

  • No open flames

• Allowed

  • Buckets and chairs

  • Plastic bags or containers to hold fish

  • Heaters (LP tanks not allowed on shuttle)

  • Rods, reels, jigs, line

  • Tip-ups

  • Ice cleats

  • Pliers, chisels, scoops

  • Proper winter clothing

Section 5 – Catch & Weigh-In Rules

• Fish must be alive and caught during contest hours (12:00 PM – 3:00 PM)

• Dead or frozen fish will be disqualified

• Maximum two fish per weigh-in

• Northern Pike 22”–26” must be released

• Hooks, lines, and weights must be removed

• Fish must be clean of ice and snow

• Fish must be physically in the weigh-in line by 3:00 PM

  • Late arrivals will not be weighed

• Only contest officials may weigh fish

• Cheating or attempted cheating results in immediate disqualification

• Organizers reserve the right to interpret rules and disqualify participants at their sole discretion

Section 6 – Hole Rules

• Holes are pre-drilled

• Each hole requires a visible fishing pass

• Contestants must remain at their assigned hole

  • No switching or sharing holes

• Lines in: 12:00 PM

• Lines out: 3:00 PM

Section 7 – Prizes & Disqualification

• One main prize per person

• If a contestant qualifies for multiple placements, the highest prize will be awarded

• Remaining prizes will roll to the next eligible contestant

• Heaviest fish wins; ties broken by length

• Officials may inspect all gear, bait, buckets, and coolers

• Organizers may withhold or disqualify prizes if cheating is suspected

Section 8 – Safety & Legal

• Participation is at your own risk

• Organizers are not responsible for injury, loss, or death

• Alcohol allowed (not sold on-site); consume responsibly

• Unsafe behavior may result in removal

• Ice inspected by Fire Chief

• Forest Lake Police will be on-site

• Refunds issued only if the event is canceled by the Fire Chief

• Photos and video may be used for promotional purposes