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Cold temperatures early on this winter season were a welcome feel for Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza enthusiasts, helping create 15.5-16 inches around the event’s location at Hole-in-the-Day Bay — making the 2013 Extravaganza an official “go” for the scheduled Jan. 19 date.
“We are good to go for Saturday (Jan. 19) and we couldn’t be more pleased,” said Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl who made the official measurements Thursday morning. “Last year was kind of miserable because we had to postpone (the tournament) but we’re confident everything will go on and without a hitch and will be issuing a permit (for the event).”
An unusually warm winter last year left bad ice and forced the tournament to be delayed until February.
And even with rain, freezing rain and snow expected to roll into the Brainerd lakes area Thursday night through Friday, Dahl reassured that it shouldn’t change a thing.
“It’s going to get cold next week and make that ice again,” he said. “It’s going to be just fine for next weekend.”
JESSI PIERCE, staff writer, may be reached at 855-5859 or jessi.pierce@brainerddispatch.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jessi_pierce (@jessi_pierce).
