 The 2017 Brainer J.C.'s ice fishing extravaganza is now in the books. Anglers from all over took part in the competition. Our Taylor Archer has a recap. As soon as the cannons went off at noon, anglers were anxious to see who would get the first catch. This is my second time coming here. I got a perch which weighed 0.32 oz. Keep fishing. I guess I don't know where I slot yet, so everybody's running home with perches too, so I think that's the main fish coming in, I guess. As for others, it was their first time at the event. This is my first year. Everyone's having so much fun fishing, and it's just always fun to come and hang out. Another first timer was Central Lakes College president, Dr. Harris Shalir. I had no idea what to expect because you hear about the volume of people who come here on this huge lake. What I didn't expect was so much great camaraderie, so much great spirit about the community and people from all over coming. So it's really been great to see why people do this, and I can promise you this won't be our only year here. And while it is a competition, participants haven't been too upset about not catching anything. I have caught no fish at all, but we're working hard. We've got a minnow on the end, and I've got some experts helping me, so we're still very hopeful. Coming in first place for this year's competition was Les Laidlaw of Mankato, with a northern pike weighing about five and a half pounds. I hooked it, and I was pulling it out, and I told my buddy, I'm like, hey man, he's like, you got something? I'm like, yeah. And then I pull out this northern, and it's just like, I get excited when I see that. So as soon as it came out of the ice, I grabbed hold of it. I'm really excited. Like I said, I've never caught a fish here, so this has been great. All in all, the world's largest charitable ice fishing event had another successful year. In Brainerd, Taylor Archer, Lakeland News. And all proceeds from that ice fishing extravaganza go to local area charities. Taylor will have more on it in our Northwoods adventure tomorrow night at the end of our newscast. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.