Lakes Area Ice Fishing Tournaments Go Virtual

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – The Coronavirus pandemic has forced many Minnesota ice fishing tournaments to either cancel or go virtual.

In Detroit Lakes, the annual Poles N Holes fishing derby is hosting a limited in-person derby as well as a virtual derby using an app called, fishdonkey.

“On the ice there can only be 250 people, with the fishdonkey app you can fish wherever you want and you’ll be able to participate,” Viva Lauinger said.

The Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza has also shifted to a virtual derby using the fishdonkey app.

White Earth is planning an in-person derby on Feb. 20 on Roy Lake.

Each year the DNR issues nearly 400 permits for fishing tournaments across the state, that number is down significantly this year, however the DNR says with additional restrictions many ice fishing tournaments can still be held.