BRAINERD - About 8,000 people participated in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Gull Lake on Saturday.

First time competitor Luke Botzek of Foley landed the winning fish - a walleye weighing 6.37 pounds.  He'll go home with a new pick-up.  Winning a Crestliner boat for the biggest perch caught was Bradley Cox of Monticello.  And in 100th place, taking home an Ice Castle Fish House, was Denise Yaeger of St. Cloud.

An estimated 50 charities will benefit from the proceeds of the tournament.  The Brainerd Jaycees have donated $2.7 million since the first tournament was held in 1991.

The fishing tournament was originally scheduled for January, but was postponed until this past Saturday, due to thin ice conditions.

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