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Frequently Asked Questions

Are tickets still available the day of the contest? 

Yes, You can purchase tickets through the FishDonkey app. 

To do that, follow these instructions: 

  1. Download the Fish Donkey App 
  2. Register and Sign In 
  3. Select “Fish in a Tournament” (This is a yellow button just under the top bar) 
  4. Search for “Americas Ice Fishing Tournament” and select it.
  5. Select the yellow “Join Now” button. 
  6. Confirm that your personal information shown is correct and select the yellow “Continue” 
  7. Select the “Select Division” dropdown. This will show “open.” 
  8. Once you select that, it will give you your total, select “Continue” 
  9. Enter your credit card number, and include any promo codes or vouchers you are using. Select “Pay” 

How do I enter a fish in the FishDonkey App? 

https://youtu.be/zuxh7FNUkbA 

My fish still hasn’t been verified, why? 

Please be patient, our committee has to manually verify your fish submission. It may not be verified immediately. Here is a video to check to see if you fish entry went through properly:

https://youtu.be/GoI2utKmpdk 

How to properly measure a fish? 

https://youtu.be/Eg2H6-jZ04c 

How do I enter a large fish? 

https://youtu.be/fw7L5cMw_nY 

If I don’t have WiFi reception and my picture isn’t loading, what should I do? 

If your picture does not upload right away because of bad wifi reception. Anglers should tap their Digital Livewell (fish icon) when they get back to an area with good reception and leave that screen open until all fish are “Received”. Never delete anything from your Digital Livewell. 

What should I do if I don’t have a good WiFi reception? 

Open the app before you head out. Tap on the name of your tournament. Leave the app open. It’s okay to let it time out. Just don’t log out. Enter fish as normal. Open your Digital Livewell (fish icon) when you return to a connection, to push the fish through to the leaderboard. 

 

What happens if I cannot see any fish on the leaderboard? 

If you cannot see any fish on the leaderboard, tap on the little dropdown area near the top. Select “Extravaganza Standard”. Then you will see the results. 

 

The contest has started and I can’t download the app! What’s wrong?

Fishdonkey’s server is down. Please be patient. 

How do I refresh the app? 

https://youtu.be/Ukzpe3LetTI 

How do I make sure my fish entry went through? 

https://youtu.be/GoI2utKmpdk 

Can my son or daughter fish the contest? 

Yes, there is no age requirement. If you have one phone and two separate FishDonkey accounts, you’ll have to log out of your account and log into theirs to enter their fish. 

Do I need a fishing license? 

Yes, fishing during the contest is regulated by all state fishing laws. 

Can I fish in a wheel house or a portable fish house? 

Yes, with this year’s format being virtual you are allowed to fish in a wheel house or portable fish house.  

I have one ticket, how many lines may I fish? 

Follow all rules and regulations that apply to your locality.

What time can I start fishing? 

The tournament will begin in the FishDonkey app at 8:00 A.M. You will not be able to enter a fish until then. 

How many fish can I enter? 

You may register as many fish as you like. However, only the highest points fish will be entered into the contest. Refer to rules 2.4, 2.5, 3.3, and 3.5 in our official rules for more information.

 

Do I need a bump board? 

Yes, you need a mass produced bump board. If you do not have a mass produced bump board, you will need a steel measuring tape. If using the steel measuring tape, you should show a measuring tape that begins at the tip of the fish’s nose bumped against a hard stop (like a wall or a cooler) and the tail pushed down to the tape measure. The measurement photo needs to include the entire fish on the board. If the fishtail is touching the graduation line on the board then that is the exact measurement. If the tail crosses a graduation line, round up ¼”. 

Where can I fish? Is this just a Minnesota fishing tournament?

No, participants can ice fish on any frozen public waters in the United States of America. 

Can you use a fish/depth locator and underwater camera or GPS? 

Yes, we follow the DNR ice fishing rules. 

When does the contest end? 

The FishDonkey app tournament ends at 3:00 P.M. but photos need to be uploaded by 3:15 P.M. 

What are the prizes? 

The prizes are listed on our website: virtualicefishing.org/about/prize-list/

Who is running the contest? 

The Brainerd Jaycees, an organization that provides development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change. 

What are you going to do with the money? 

All proceeds will be donated to charity. If you would like to suggest an organization that could benefit from a donation, please fill out this form.

How do I claim my prize? 

After you respond to the email confirming your contact information, your prize will be mailed to you. 

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