For over twenty years anglers from around the globe have recognized the Golden Rainbow as “Minnesota’s Original”. The Golden Rainbow has set the stage on how contests should be run and what draws the most anglers to the frozen tundra in the dead of winter. In its day the contest would attract over 8000 anglers plus spectators and media, making it the largest contest in the nation but also making it the longest running contest of any size. Over the past several years the contest has battled Mother Nature and poor ice conditions causing numerous cancellations. Like any Minnesota business that is based around tourism, the weather can make or break you.

Officials of the contest last year decided that if the contest was to survive it must be moved from Forest Lake, MN to the north where ice conditions were safer. Three hours north of the Twin Cities the community of Grand Rapids opened its arms and invited the contest to make a permanent home on Pokegama Lake. Tournament Director Jason Green and the contest officials soon kicked the planning stages of the contest into high gear. Permits and insurance were pulled, prize packages set, everything seemed perfect to bring the contest back to it’s position in the ice fishing industry.

Owned and operated by the Hopkins Area Jaycees, the Golden Rainbow has taken great pride in providing a safe family atmosphere. So it is no surprise when ice conditions were not to standard the contest was canceled several times. “Each year the contest is a complete gamble,” says Tournament Director Jason Green. “Starting in November before the February Contest, thousands of dollars are spent every month around the United States to advertise the event. At this point people are hunting and fishing in open water so advertising really is a gamble and there is no way to foresee the outcome.”

With several years of cancellations and thousands of dollars spent in advertising the contest has accumulated a sizable debt. After meeting with several banks, debt consolidation companies and financial advisers, the Hopkins Area Jaycees have found no other way but to no longer operate the Golden Rainbow Ice Fishing Contest. It is with deep sadness that this decision is made to end a dynasty.