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

• If you purchase an additional hole, it must be adjacent to the first.

• You must fish your selected hole(s) for the entire contest, no swapping.

• 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 line in the water per hole

• A rod or a tip-up may be used (tip-ups count as the one allowed line)

• Bait must be brought by contestants

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

  • Dry bait (waxies, plastics) allowed

  • Sharing bait is allowed; however, if a contestant leaves their hole, all lines must be removed from the water and the hole must be fully cleared of fishing gear

• No lines allowed in the water until the contest start (12:00 PM)

• Must follow all Minnesota DNR regulations

• Valid fishing license required

• Hole choosing opens at 10:00 AM (Recommended to arrive early)

Section 4 – Allowed & Prohibited Items

• Prohibited

  • No shelters, hubs, or wheelhouses or similar structures

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

  • No personal augers or hole drilling equipment

  • No spears

  • No open flames or fire pits

• Allowed

  • Buckets and chairs

  • Plastic bags or containers to hold fish

  • Heaters (Personal propane heaters allowed; propane tanks are not permitted on the shuttle but may be transported by other means)

  • Rods, reels, jigs, line

  • Tip-ups

  • Ice cleats

  • Pliers, chisels, scoops

  • Proper winter clothing

  • Contest officials reserve the right to determine if items are allowed or not allowed on a discretionary basis.

Section 5 – Catch & Weigh-In Rules

• Fish must be caught during contest hours (12:00 PM – 3:00 PM) and be alive at the time of weigh-in

• Dead or frozen fish will be disqualified

• Maximum two fish per weigh-in

• Northern Pike 22”–26” must be released immediately and are not eligible for weigh-in

• Northern Pike under 22” or over 26” are eligible for weigh-in if otherwise legal

• Hooks, lines, and weights must be removed prior to weigh-in

• Fish must be free 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

• Hole choosing opens at 10:00 AM (Recommended to arrive early)

• Contestants must remain at their assigned hole(s) for the entire contest

  • No switching or sharing holes

  • Secondary holes must be immediately adjacent to the primary hole

• Lines in: 12:00 PM

• Lines out: 3:00 PM

• If a contestant leaves their hole for any reason, all fishing lines must be removed from the water and the hole must be fully cleared of gear

• No contestant or spectator may stand over, monitor, or observe another contestant’s fishing hole

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