BIG BOBBER INFORMATION GUIDE
Below is all pertinent information participants will need to know for the day of the contest.
GETTING TO MADISON LAKE
From St. Peter, Minn.:
Go east on MN Highway 99 until you get to Cleveland (little over 6 miles). Turn right and go south on LeSueur County 15 (10th Street) about 7 miles into Madison Lake. Turn right and go west on Highway 60 (Walnut Ave.) and then left on Main Street.
From Mankato, Minn., Intersection of US Hwy. 14 & MN 22:
Take Highway 14 east about 8 miles. Take a left and go north on Highway 60. As soon as you get into town, turn right and go south on Main Street to The Landing.
PARKING/HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY
Parking will be available at the below locations throughout the City of Madison Lake. Please be aware of streets that only allow parking on one side. There will be signage and volunteers available for questions the day of. There will not be a designated shuttle this year, but there will be local folks giving rides on trailers and UTVs throughout town.
Suggested Public Parking:
1. North Shore Park (Veterans Memorial Park) at 750 Park Road
2. All Saints parking lot (across Highway 60 to the north of All Saints Church) off 4thstreet
3. The Church parking lot (right next to the church-south side of Highway 60)
4. Main Street (in and around)
-Sakatah Trail parking lot
- City Hall parking lot (Do NOT park in front of either the police or fire garage or you will be ticketed) at 525 Main Street
- Public Parking next to People's State Bank
- Public Parking next to Carriage Repair
- Main Street on-street parking
5. Chestnut Avenue
6. Spruce Avenue (parking on one side of street only)
7. Cherry Avenue (parking on one side of street only)
There is also PAID parking available for $5/vehicle in the ballpark between Main Street and 7th Street controlled by The Sons of the American Legion. This is only one block away from The Landing.
*All areas marked in green are suggested public parking areas.
HANDICAP PARKING/VENDOR PARKING/EMERGENCY PERSONNEL:
These three groups (handicap/vendors/emergency personnel) are allowed to park in the parking lot of The Landing. Handicap vehicles must have proper identification (disability parking certificate) . Vendors must have a Vendor Credential, which they can get from the MSU Athletics department by calling Brittany Heinz 507-389-2930.
REGISTRATION/TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased the day of the event for $50.00 at Registration. This includes two holes but these holes cannot be split between individuals. Tickets can also be purchased online until February 2ndat https://secure2.mnsu.edu/eventsconferences/index.aspx?department=athletics. No refunds will be given the day of and the contest is limited to the first 3,000 participants. Registration is taking place inside The Landing (803 Main Street). For pre-registered participants who no longer have the bottom portion of their ticket stub, not need to go through Registration unless you would like a rules sheet, map, have questions or have been advised to go to Will Call for further instructions.
If you are not pre-registered, all participants will need to go through Registration in order to get signed up. Registration is taking place from 10:00 am until Noon, but participants are strongly encouraged to arrive early for registration. Hole selection is determined on a first come, first serve basis.
Handicap accessible parking will be available in The Landing's parking lot. Individuals needing assistance to get on the ice will be provided further transportation from the parking lot.
All holes for the Big Bobber are pre-drilled and participants must have an ice fishing ticket in order to enter the perimeter of the contest. For any individuals who have a 2015 carry-over ticket OR purchased a ticket online, you will need to go through Registration in The Landing.
LIVE BAIT
Live bait will be available for purchase through Corner Bait Shop right on the shore next to The Landing and Registration, making it easy for any participant to purchase bait before heading out to the contest perimeter. Nate, the owner, is giving out free minnows to participants. Minnesota Fishing Licenses are available for purchase at the Corner Bait shop at 500 Walnut Ave.
If you have any questions regarding bait, please contact Nate before the contest at (507) 243-4464.
TAKE A VET FISHING
Take A Vet Fishing will have a special heated tent set up on the ice for veteran's to stop by to receive information on Take A Vet Fishing, purchase merchandise and to mingle with other veterans.
VIP TENT
For any businesses/individuals that purchased a spot in the VIP tent, you will not need to stop at Registration. Go straight to the VIP tent located inside the perimeter for the contest. All VIP participants MUST have their VIP credential on their person in order to be allowed in the VIP tent. Any individuals who do not have this credential will not be allowed inside the VIP tent. The entrance to the VIP tent will be guarded by security the entire duration of the contest.
RULES
Official contest rules can be found here: http://www.msumavericks.com/documents/2015/10/1/Rules_A_frame_16.pdf
Participants are encouraged to read through these carefully but sheets will also be available at Registration the day of the contest. A few items to note is all participants will need a valid fishing license. NO outside food, beverage, or alcohol will be permitted inside the perimeter of the contest. Participants are not allowed to leave the perimeter of the ice fishing contest during official contest hours, Noon-3:00 pm. You will not be let back in if you leave the perimeter during these hours.
FOOD OPTIONS
No outside food, beverages or alcohol will be permitted inside the perimeter of the contest. However, there will be several options for food and beverage on-ice during the contest as well as throughout the city of Madison Lake before and after the event.
During the contest there will be a concessions tent on-ice selling pizza, soup, chips, hamburgers and hot dogs. Beverages available include Pepsi products, hot chocolate, coffee, water, Miller Lite, Leinenkugel's and mixers (alcohol available includes 1800 Silver, Three Olives Vodka, Old Camp Whiskey, Kraken Spiced Rum and Bushmills Irish Whiskey).
Before and after the contest there are several different eating establishments in the City of Madison Lake. The Landing, which is the location that the Big Bobber is taking place at will offer breakfast beforehand as well as a full grill after the contest.
The Landing Restaurant & Resort
803 Main Street
Madison Lake, MN 56063
(507) 243-9898
The Lucky Lure
412 Main Street
Madison Lake, MN 56063
(507) 243-4343
TrailBlazer Bar &Grill
301 Main Street
Madison Lake, MN 56063
(507) 243-4338
LOGISTICS
Port-a-potties will be available inside the perimeter of the ice fishing contest, including two handicap accessible units.
ON-SHORE ACTIVITIES
Aside from the fun of the fishing contest itself, there are many other great items taking place the day of the Big Bobber. Individuals will be selling raffle tickets at Registration, and on the ice up until 3:00 pm.
$5.00 raffle (chance to win one of four prizes):
Grand Prize: Otter Pro XT Lodge Thermal Ice House ($999.99 value)
2nd Place Prize: Maverick Pride True 42 Cooler ($469.99 value)
3rd Place Prize: Humminbird ICE 45 Fishfinder ($399.99 value)
4th Place Prize: Otter XTH Cabin Hub Shelter Package ($269.99 value)
Humminbird will also have a tent set up with demonstrations of some of their product on-ice. Madison Lake native and fishing pro Tom Brunz and Tom Davis will be doing discussions on product as well as providing information and demonstrations from 10:00am - 2:00 pm out on the ice. Learn how to catch your fish before you get to your hole!
The Madison Lake Watershed and Lake Association will have an informational tent on the ice informing individuals about keeping the lake clean and protecting and preserving the lake environment for future generations (www.madisonlake.org).
PRIZES
There are many great prizes that will be awarded at the Big Bobber this year, but the format has slightly changed. Prizes will be awarded to the top 50 ice fishing participants based on weight of fish and time weighed in. All prizes will be awarded at the event. Prizes for top fish that have already been earmarked include:
1st: $2,500.00
50th: $1,000.00
On top of these 50 prizes, another 50 giveaways will be handed out while the contest takes place from Noon-3:00 pm. Names will be drawn from individuals who have purchased an ice fishing ticket for these 50 give-away prizes. Prizes include Minnkota gear, Mt. Dew blind coolers, Mt. Dew stand-up coolers, Rapala lure packs, Plano Tackle bags, Shimano Rod/Reel packs (with rod sleeves), Humminbird Helix 5 fish finders, Otter Ice Houses, Strikemaster Ice Augers, MSU gear and tickets, MN Vikings/MN Twins/MN Wild gear, Canon PowerShot handheld cameras, and much, much more!
CANCELLATION
In the event of weather cancelation, listen for announcements on The Fan 1230 AM, KTOE 1420 AM or Minnesota 93 FM between 7:30 and 8:00 am, or check out www.MSUMavericks.com or www.msumavericks.com/bigbobber. The contest will NOT be rescheduled, and NO contest prizes will be awarded, however the Big Bobber raffles will still take place at the Landing on February 4th, 2017. Raffle winners need not be present to win, and all raffle winners will be posted at www.MSUMavericks.com. Only pre-purchased tickets will be refundable in the event of weather cancelation.
For more information on the Humminbird Big Bobber Ice Fishing contest presented by Leinenkugel's please visit our website at www.msumavericks.com/bigbobber or call the MSU Athletics Office at (507) 389-2930.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Bobber-Ice-Fishing-Contest/157103357668275
Twitter: @MSUBigBobber
