FULL STORY UPDATE: 13-year-old wins Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza

NISSWA — It might be a while before the grand prize truck from this year’s Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza sees many miles.

That’s because its winner is just 13 years old.

Hutchinson teen Zac Padrnos took home the top prize at the 33rd annual ice fishing tournament Saturday, Jan. 28, reeling in a 9.45-pound walleye on Gull Lake’s Hole-in-the-Day Bay. Padrnos’ fish was nearly 4 pounds larger than the second place 5.67-pound walleye, caught by John Kennedy, who could be seen running to the weigh-in tent with his catch just after 2:30 p.m.

Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch

The only word Padrnos had to describe his win was “awesome.”

“I was fishing in about 55 feet of water, and I had a Tungsten Jig on, so I was thinking it was like a tullibee or something because I had a wax worm on with 2 pound test line,” Padrnos said, recounting his winning catch after the tournament. “So I just pulled up to it, and I started jigging it in front of it, and it bit it and as soon as I set the hook it just started pulling the drag, so I knew it was pretty big.”

This year’s tournament was the second for Padrnos but the first time he caught a fish. With the choice between a Chevrolet and a Ford pickup truck as his grand prize, Padrnos proudly proclaimed he would take the Ford.

But what will happen to the truck over the next three years until the teen can get his driver’s license is anyone’s guess.

“I have no clue,” Padrnos said. “... We’ll have to figure that out later.”

1/63: John Kennedy holds up his 5.67-pound walleye at the weigh-in tent duringthe Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake. Kennedy's walleye came in second place.

2/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

3/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

4/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

5/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

6/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

7/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

8/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

9/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

10/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

11/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

12/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

13/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

14/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

15/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

16/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

17/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

18/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

19/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

20/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

21/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

22/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

23/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

24/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

25/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

26/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

27/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

28/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

29/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

30/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

31/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

32/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

33/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

34/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

35/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

36/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

37/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

38/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

39/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

40/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

41/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

42/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

43/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

44/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

45/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

46/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

47/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

48/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

49/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

50/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

51/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

52/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

53/63: Tammy Lundstrom, left, dances with fellow anglers Lily Voss, Morgan Voss and Larry Swiers, to keep warm during the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake. Temperatures were in the single digits Saturday afternoon.

54/63: Anglers Tammy Lundstrom, Lily Voss, Morgan Voss and Larry Swiers, dance to keep warm during the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake. Temperatures were in the single digits Saturday afternoon.

55/63: People check out the leader board during the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

56/63: John Kennedy runs to the weigh-in tent at the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, with his 5.67-pound walleye. Kennedy's walleye came in second place Saturday.

57/63: Volunteers weighing fish look at a 5.67-pound walleye at the weigh-in tent during the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake. The fish, caught by John Kennedy, came in second place.

58/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

59/63: Anglers compete in the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

60/63: Zac Padrnos talks with reporters about winning the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza with a 9.45-pound walleye Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

61/63: Zac Padrnos walks up to the stage after being announced the winner of the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza with a 9.45-pound walleye Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

62/63: Zac Padrnos, left, gets on stage to talk about winning the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza with a 9.45-pound walleye Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

63/63: Zac Padrnos talks about winning the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza with a 9.45-pound walleye Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Gull Lake.

Temperatures hovered in the single digits as nearly 12,000 anglers from all over the world — including New York, California, Arizona, Tennessee and even France and Australia — took to the ice for the charitable fishing contest, which benefits various nonprofit organizations.

That aspect is why Larry Swiers trekked from Wabun for his first tournament. As a member of the Detroit Lakes Elks Club, he was interested in supporting Camp Confidence, which is one of the organizations receiving donations from the contest. The Confidence Learning Center is an outdoor educational facility for people with cognitive and developmental disabilities.

While Swiers was enjoying his semi-frozen drink that had turned into a slushie, fellow angler Tammy Lundstrom said all she had caught that afternoon was a cold. But the two were still enjoying their first experience at the tournament, taking a quick break near the end to warm up with an impromptu dance session with those at the next hole.

Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch

Twin sisters Lily and Morgan Voss were jiving to “Fishing in the Dark” over the loudspeakers, taking in all the tournament had to offer for their first time out as well. The two drove from Watertown, South Dakota, with their dad, who came to the tournament before and decided to bring his daughters this time around.

Across the ice stood a tall flagpole with not only American flags waving, but also a big pink Care Bear. Down below, father/son duo Keith and Blair McKibbon, dressed in matching red snowsuits, played a game of beanbags. Keith McKibbon donned bull horns on his hat, making him a “red bull.”

Theresa Bourke / Brainerd Dispatch

Blair McKibbon was there for his third tournament after moving to the Brainerd area from Duluth a few years ago, while his dad drove down from Esko.

“Why not?” Blair McKibbon said of the decision to come to the tournament. “There’s so many people. It’s fun — having a good time, trying to stay warm.”

The Care Bear on their flag pole was designed to help them find the way to their hole if ever they got lost, but it was also useful as a conversation starter with other anglers.

Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch

Not far away was Travis Dickson, experiencing the tournament for the first time with a group of friends. Dickson moved to Merrifield three years ago from Kentucky and said he was still “learning the Minnesota ways” as he acclimated himself to the cold, snowy winters. While he hadn’t had any luck catching fish about halfway through the contest, he was thoroughly enjoying the beauty of the frozen lake.

Nearby were Brainerd residents Dan and Jen Petrie, standing out from the crowd in matching red, white and blue American flag snowsuits. On the ice for the 12th time, the two said spending time in the outdoors with their family kept them coming back each year, as did the warm weather, they joked.

Theresa Bourke / Brainerd Dispatch

While most of the state might have been frigid Saturday, Jerry Johannsen said it was “a different cold” than in Mankato, where he traveled from for the tournament. He and friend Jack McGregor said they were in it for the “beautiful” weather and the competition, though neither had caught anything except perhaps a runny nose.

Local brothers Jim and Greg Haroldson weren’t having much luck on the next hole over either, but still they kept coming back year after year to get together with friends and family. And despite Saturday’s chill temperatures, they said the weather has been a lot worse in years past.

Elsewhere among the 14,300 holes on the ice, contest veteran Larry Kidd — who boasted attendance at all 33 tournaments — stood with a boisterous group including son Jeremy Kidd and friends Scottie Nagorski, Tyler Meyer and Dane Carlson. Nagorski, hailing from Truman, was at his 17th contest, bummed that his 0.35-pound perch had just fallen off the leaderboard.

Kelly Humphrey / Brainerd Dispatch

The group recounted memories of tournaments past, as Meyer recalled falling on the ice with a bucket of minnows last year, spilling minnows everywhere, and Nagorski brought up the time he almost lost his boot after stepping in a hole.

Nearly 25,000 volunteer hours went into the 2023 tournament, and the Jaycees are already planning for No. 34, which is set a week later than usual on Feb. 3, 2024.

Since the tournament’s inception in 1991, the Brainerd Jaycees have raised over $4.3 million for more than 75 charities. Camp Confidence is the largest beneficiary.

For a list of 2023 tournament winners, visit icefishing.org/leaderboard/ .

THERESA BOURKE may be reached at theresa.bourke@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5860. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchTheresa.