2026 Castways

HARD WATER CHALLENGE

The 2026 Castaways Hard Water Challenge is a February-only ice fishing challenge designed to thank the businesses that support our fishing league—while giving anglers a shot at a top-tier hard water prize.

Support our sponsors, get out on the ice, and compete to win!
Contest Dates: February 1 – February 28, 2026
(All entries must be completed and submitted by the final deadline.)

Contest Prizes

Grand Prize: ANYONE CAN WIN

Brand New Clam Kenai Insulated Fish House
($499 Value Donated By Matt Biever)

Runner Up: Members Only

2026 Castaways Season Team Dues are paid by Mixture Web.
($120 Value Members Only )

Third Place: ANYONE CAN WIN

$100 Tackle Gift Basket
(Donated by Whits End Tree Care )

How To Win:

Prizes are awarded to the angler with the largest combined fish total by legnth after completing all challenge requirements. Entries are submitted on this page below by uploaded photo.
No purchase necesary. There is no entry fee.

Contest Rules

The 2026 Castaways Hard Water Challenge is a February ice fishing contest open to the general public and Castaways Fishing League participants and runs from February 1 through February 28, 2026.

Scoring

Scoring is based on combined total length, calculated by adding the measured length of the walleye and northern pike, with the angler submitting the largest by total combined length declared the winner; in the event of a tie, the longest single fish will determine the winner, and if still tied, the earliest completed submission will prevail. Submissions are done on this page below.

How to Qualify

To be eligible for a prize, anglers must complete all three requirements listed below during the contest period.

Visit any three (3) official Castaways league sponsors, which may include physical or virtual sponsors.

Sponsor Visit Proof Requirements

  • Physical sponsors:
    A photo taken at the business location with visible signage and the angler present in the photo.

  • Virtual sponsors:
    Proof of engagement, such as a screenshot of following, liking, commenting on, or visiting the sponsor’s website or social media page.

Each sponsor may only be counted once. List of Sponsors listed below.

Requirements:

  • Must be caught through the ice

  • Photo required showing the fish on a measuring device

  • Fish must be clearly identifiable as a walleye

Fish entries must include clear photos of each fish on a measuring device and must comply with all Minnesota DNR regulations. LEAGAL NON SLOT FISH ONLY

Requirements:

  • Must be caught through the ice

  • Photo required showing the fish on a measuring device

  • Fish must be clearly identifiable as a pike

Fish entries must include clear photos of each fish on a measuring device and must comply with all Minnesota DNR regulations. LEAGAL NON SLOT FISH ONLY

Sponsors to support

  • LakeLady Custom Fishing Rods
  • Focus North Media
  • The Treasury of Baxter
  • Target Walleye
  • Whits End Tree Care
  • Tracker Boat Center
  • Applewood Acres Rec Storage
  • Sidco Docks
  • Twin Pines Resort
  • Harvest Insurance
  • Chad Schwendeman Real Estate Group
  • Meyer Midwest
  • Digital Horizons
  • Domino’s
  • Mixture Web
  • National Insurance Brokers of Baxter – Hice Agency
  • Highway 18 Collision Center
  • Dunmire’s Bar & Grill
  • Sandy Beach Resort

ENTRY FORM

You Must Submit 5 Photos to be valid. Incomplete submissions will not be considered, and the Castaways Fishing League reserves the right to verify entries, request additional proof if needed, and make all final determinations regarding eligibility, scoring, and prize awards. You man only enter one time. If you enter more than once, the first entry will be counted. All others are not considered. Entries timestamped before or after the entry dates will not be considered.

Sponsor Proof

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
Sponsor visit proof requires either a photo taken at a physical sponsor’s business location with visible signage and the angler present, or proof of engagement for virtual sponsors, such as a screenshot of following, liking, commenting on, or visiting the sponsor’s website or social media page, with each sponsor counted only once.
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
Sponsor visit proof requires either a photo taken at a physical sponsor’s business location with visible signage and the angler present, or proof of engagement for virtual sponsors, such as a screenshot of following, liking, commenting on, or visiting the sponsor’s website or social media page, with each sponsor counted only once.
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
Sponsor visit proof requires either a photo taken at a physical sponsor’s business location with visible signage and the angler present, or proof of engagement for virtual sponsors, such as a screenshot of following, liking, commenting on, or visiting the sponsor’s website or social media page, with each sponsor counted only once.

Fish Photos

Entered as a decimal. For example a 15 and 3/4 would be entered 15.75
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
Fish must be measured by laying the fish flat on a rigid measuring device with the mouth closed and positioned at the zero (0) mark, without stretching or pinching the tail, measured to the nearest one-eighth (1/8) inch, with a clear photo taken from directly above showing the entire fish and measurement.
Entered as a decimal. For example a 15 and 3/4 would be entered 15.75
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
Fish must be measured by laying the fish flat on a rigid measuring device with the mouth closed and positioned at the zero (0) mark, without stretching or pinching the tail, measured to the nearest one-eighth (1/8) inch, with a clear photo taken from directly above showing the entire fish and measurement.
The Fine Print
The 2026 Castaways Hard Water Challenge is open to the public as well as registered Castaways Fishing League participants and runs from February 1 through February 28, 2026. All fish must be caught through the ice during the contest period and in accordance with all Minnesota DNR regulations. Anglers must complete all qualification requirements, including visiting three official league sponsors and catching one walleye and one northern pike, with clear photo documentation required for sponsor visits and fish measurements. Proof of sponsor visits may include photos at physical locations with visible signage or proof of engagement for virtual sponsors such as screenshots of social media or website interactions. Each sponsor may only be counted once, no purchases are required, and incomplete or unclear submissions may be disqualified. The winner will be determined by the largest combined total length of the qualifying fish, with tie-breakers decided by longest single fish and then earliest completed submission. Unsportsmanlike conduct, rule violations, or attempts to falsify entries may result in disqualification, and the Castaways Fishing League reserves the right to verify entries, request additional proof, interpret and enforce all rules, make final determinations on eligibility and scoring, and modify or cancel the contest if necessary. The 2nd place prize is reserved for Cast-A-Ways registerd teams only. It may be transfered if need be. Fisherman can only enter one time.
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