2026 North Country Icebreaker- Breezy Point, MN

Event Start Date: 1/23/2026 5:00 PM

Event End Date: 1/24/2026 9:00 PM

Timezone: CST

The 2026 North Country Icebreaker

Presented by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers & Irish Setter Boots
📍 Breezy Point Resort | Breezy Point, MN
📅 January 23-24, 2026

The North Country Icebreaker is BHA’s biggest gathering in the Midwest — and one of our most anticipated events of the year! Join us at Breezy Point Resort on the iconic Pelican Lake for a weekend of ice fishing, fellowship, and celebration of our public lands and waters.

This annual, family-friendly tradition brings together hunters, anglers, and conservationists from across the country for a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Enjoy mentored fishing instruction, hands-on demos from industry pros, games, raffles, and prizes, and of course, incredible food—including the crowd-favorite Wild Game Cookoff Competition!

Whether you’re a seasoned ice angler or brand new to fishing through the hardwater, the Icebreaker is the perfect way to connect with like-minded folks, learn new tactics, and experience the freedom and access that public waters provide. Ice fishing is one of the best examples of how public access creates opportunity, and we’re here to celebrate that together.

🎣 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Ice Fishing Village

• Open Fishing and mentored instruction in Breezy Bay from 10AM-3PM

• Morning Lake Report and Fishing Update from Pelican Lake Guide Service

• Hands-on instruction for anglers in our enclosed, heated ice houses (Courtesy of Pelican Lake Guide Service)

• Pop-Up ice houses set up to use and fish from (Courtesy of Minnesota DNR). Limited gear may also be available to borrow. 

• Minnesota DNR staff and conservation officers on site to help and answer questions

• Bring your own ice house, borrow one, or fish in the open air!

Speakers and Panelists

• KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Hal Herring is an Award-winning Journalist, writer, investigative researcher, and diehard public land advocate. His historical recall and down-home storytelling style make him the perfect person to rally the troops and kick off the new year with a bang!

• Darkhouse Spearing

  • Scott Hjelle- Owner of Hjelle-Arc Spears. Scott grew up spearing in Minnesota and loves sharing the sport with new folks. His “Intro to Spearing” demo walks people through the gear, the heritage, and what makes this winter tradition such a special part of our outdoor culture.

• Public Land Trapping

  • Mike Verhoeven has been trapping recreationally since he was about 12 years old. He learned to trap from a friend's dad, and early on focused on raccoon, muskrat, and mink that were within a 10-minute bike ride from home. He later got excited about chasing beavers and otters deep in the Northwoods of MN. After setting no traps for a few years, he mentored an interested friend in 2022, focusing on beaver and coyote trapping. Since then, he's been mostly trapping beavers and gray squirrels around the metro because they provide dinner and a fur!

• Forward Facing Sonar Panel Discussion

  • Jeremy Smith- General Manager, Lindner Media. Jeremy has long worked with Lindner Media on the production of much of their commercial work. He has also operated as the field director for the FLW Bass Tournaments that Lindner Media produced, and assisted with many of the other television operations. Today, Jeremy, when he is not appearing on camera, on one of the many show offerings that Lindner Media produces, he is very busy as executive sales and marketing coordinator. In this capacity he deals with all of the Lindner Media marketing partners and client. Finally, Jeremy and Jeff Simpson work together to make custom Prankster Baits musky lures during the winter months.

  • John Hoxmier- John was born and raised in central Minnesota where he developed a love of fishing and hunting at a very young age. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Aquatic Biology from St. Cloud State University, and a Master’s degree in Fisheries Biology from Auburn University. His love of the outdoors led him to study everything from Paddlefish in Alabama, walleye populations in Illinois, and heritage brook trout in Southeast Minnesota. He has worked with the MN DNR since 2001 and is currently the Fisheries Research Supervisor for Southern Minnesota.

  • Kevin Cocoran- Professional Musky Tournament Angler. He has chased muskies from Canada to Pennsylvania. He calls the musky waters of northern Minnesota his home. He has written articles for In-Fisherman, Musky Hunter Magazine, and currently speaks at venues throughout the musky range. Over the years, Kevin has developed a strategic game plan for mapping out his fishing season based on the different lakes’ peak times, solunar affects, weather, water temps, and many other factors. Kevin is a husband, father, business owner (Headwaters Hat Company) and teacher in addition to running his guide service.

  • Dr. Cam Mosely- Fisheries ecologist at the University of Minnesota. Their research aims to understand how lake fish respond to anglers, habitat modification, and climate change. They grew up fishing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and enjoy a range of outdoor activities in MN, including ice fishing, camping, and cross-country skiing.

Storytellers

Hear epic tales from the field about wild hunts, mishaps, and adventures on public lands from our badass lineup of Minnesota storytellers.

• Tyle Notch

• Timo Rova

• Greg Kvale

Family-Friendly Activities

• Tackle Exchange- bring your lead tackle and trade it out for non-toxic options (Courtesy of Get the Lead Out)
• Winter Camping Demos- Learn to properly plan your winter camping trip, set your tent, and withstand the elements with the Winter Camping Symposium
• Youth Activity Table- Paint a lure, make a pinecone bird feeder, or just draw your favorite animal or wild place! Fun for both kids and adults!

Wild Game 

• Welcome Party & Potluck- Presented by Maluna Coolers at the iconic Fawcett House

  • Bring a dish to share as we kick off Icebreaker at the Breezy Point Fawcett House on Friday, 1/23. Buy a Limited-Edition BHA/Maluna Tumbler for $20.00 and enjoy free local beer, tell stories of the season's harvest, and share recipes. Caribou, Pheasant Rillettes, and Elk Queso are just a few of the dishes you can look forward to.

• Saturday Fish Fry Lunch- This Walleye & Bluegill lunch is free to attendees. Donations are encouraged. 

• The Wild Game Cookoff Competition- Presented by Wild Game & Fish Media

  • Teams will have one hour to create a culinary camp meal and present it to a panel of judges for a chance to win Outdoor Edge Knives, Hank Shaw Recipe Books, and bragging rights as Minnesota’s Top Camp Chef!

  • Judges will be North Dakota's Chef Jeff Benda, Youtube’s "SHORELUNCH w/ Nate P." host Nate Pischke, and Texas Chef and Outfitter Josh Crumpton

  • Spaces to compete still available. Contact chance.c.adams@gmail.com to sign up!!

• Cooking the Perfect Venison Steak Seminar

  • Chef Jeff Benda is a BHA lifetime member, North Dakota Chapter Board Member, and Wild Game Chef. He is founder of Wild Game & Fish Media where he works with businesses in the hunting, fishing, and shooting industries. With 25 years of past experience in the restaurant and catering industry, he is now a full-time wild game and fish recipe developer and food blogger living in Fargo, North Dakota.You can learn more about Jeff on his website www.wildgameandfish.com or follow him on Instagram: @wildgameandfish

Games, Auctions, and Raffles

• Auctions: Win a 2-day Crane hunt in northwest Minnesota, a weekend getaway at a private AirBNB near Backus, or a Custom Fishing Spear from Hjelle-Arc!
• Raffles: From guns, optics, and gear to coolers, clothing, food, we have thousands of dollars and prizes with something for everyone thanks to our local and national partners! 

🗓️ Schedule

Friday, 1/23

Saturday, 1/24 

🏠 Lodging

Discounted lodging is available through Breezy Point Resort for Icebreaker attendees.
Reserve early — rooms fill fast!

Book online or call (800)-432-3777 and mention Backcountry Hunters & Anglers to receive the group rate.

Options include:

• Hotel-style Kings, Double Queens, and Whirlpool Suites

• Deluxe Condos, Vacation Homes, and Multi-Bedroom Retreats

• Fish House Rentals

• Or bring your own ice house!

🎟️ Ticket Options

All tickets include access to all weekend activities:
Friday Welcome Party, Demos, Seminars, Saturday Dinner, and Door Prizes.

• $85 / Adult

• $150 / Couple

• Kids 12 & under: FREE!

• Table Sponsorships Available

Please select your ticket type based on whether you’re bringing kids under 12.
Attendees who select a “With Kids” ticket will be contacted for food planning.
Kids over 12 count as adults.

Ticket Examples:

• 1 Adult + kids under 12 → 1  ticket

• 2 Adults + kids under 12 → 1 Couple (With Kids) ticket

• 1 Adult + 1 Kid (over 12) → 1 Couple ticket

• 2 Adults + 1 Kid (over 12) → 1 Couple ticket + 1 Adult (No Kids) ticket

• 2 Adults + 2 Kid (over 12) → 2 Couple tickets

🔥 Want to Get Involved?

• Event & sponsorship inquiries:
  📧 Aaron Hebeisen – hebeisen@backcountryhunters.org

• Wild Game Cookoff competitors:
  📧 Chance Adams – chance.c.adams@gmail.com

🌲 Why It Matters

This event is open to both BHA members and non-members, and proceeds directly support BHA’s work for public lands, access, stewardship, and education across Minnesota and beyond. Funds raised at the North Country Icebreaker help fuel BHA’s mission to keep public lands and waters in public hands, strengthen access, and support conservation efforts across Minnesota and the nation. 

Come for the fishing. Stay for the fellowship. Leave inspired to fight for the wild places we all love.