Information

 

When & Where

When: See you in 2026!

Where: Coon Lake in East Bethel, Minnesota

Contest Time: Stay tuned!

  • You must purchase an official DOI admission ticket to enter the competition area. Tickets will be available to purchase on the ice.

  • Contestants competing in the fishing competition can arrive early if they would like to find a hole and set up. Gates will open at 10:00 am.

  • No fishing will be permitted until the start of the contest. Contest time listed above.

Located on Coon Lake in East Bethel, Minnesota. All contestants must enter through our main entrance using the Coon Lake Public Access Boat Ramp - East (also known as Anoka County Access).

- Anoka County access is located within Coon Lake County Park. Located on the eastern shore of the east basin, just off Lexington Ave. Northeast/193rd Avenue Northeast (County Road 17).

 

 Ticket Pricing

Ticket prices:

  • Pre-sale tickets (End date - TBA): $25.00 each

  • Starting February 14th: $30.00 each

On February 14th, ticket prices will increase to $30 each. If you would like to stick with the $25 ticket price, we recommend you buy prior to February 14th!

How do I get tickets?

There are a few ways to snatch a ticket to ensure your place for the competition. You can either pre-purchase a ticket online or in-person, and at the event.

  • Online at Eventbrite - Buy tickets online today! Click the button below. Additional charges may apply.

  • In-Person at UTS Location - Buy tickets at Universal Truck Service, LLC. (Roseville Location). Come purchase a ticket is at our business. Come visit us and you can walk away with a ticket that day!

UTS Address: 2845 Long Lake Road, Roseville, Minnesota 55113

  • In-Person at Route 65 Pub & Grub - Buy tickets at Route 65 Pub & Grub. (East Bethel).

Route 65 Restaurant Address: 18407 Highway 65 NE, East Bethel, Minnesota 55011

  • On the Ice - Before walking into the event, there will be a booth selling tickets for those who did not purchase prior.

Once you purchase your ticket, simply show one of the entrance security personnel and they will allow you access to the event. Next step, wait for the horn to blow and fish!

What types of fish could I catch?

There are several species of fish that reside at Coon Lake, including:

Northern Pike: above average abundance, average size.
Largemouth Bass: average abundance, average size.
Bluegill: above average abundance, average size.
Crappie: average abundance, smaller than average size.
Bullhead species: average abundance, average size.
Yellow Perch: low abundance, small size.
Walleye: low abundance, average size.

Keep your eyes peeled, you may be coming in contact with some of them!