Focus on Fishing

For questions about the Fishing Club or about fishing in Canadian Lakes, contact Dale Doepker at dtroutman97@aol.com or 231-972-8663

AT THE OCTOBER CLUB MEETING, a motion was passed to continue the officers of 2022 for another year: President, Dale Doepker, Vice President, George Groll, Treasurer, Jo Alex. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 7 p.m., at Alpine Haus. All Canadian Lakers interested in fishing, or helping kids catch fish, are encouraged to attend. We will begin planning our events for the summer season. Please remember to release live all bass and muskies, plus pike that are 24” and over.

is pleased to announce the winners of the Annual Fishing Contest and thank all those who entered. There were three largest of a species trophies awarded. The Muskie Champion is Aleyna Kozak with a 42-inch Muskie, the Pike Champion is Peter Mooney with a 34inch pike, and the Bass Champion is Larry Pietron with a 23-inch bass. Eleven youth entered their fish of any size and also received trophies.

The next contest runs from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023. The entry blanks consist of one entry form for both. If the entry is a young angler the information for the angler must be filled in as to age, etc. All entries will be eligible for the Largest Fish Contest if the minimum length is met. The new entry forms are available on the website and at the CLPOC Office. Please make sure that the form used is for the current year, 2022 to 2023. In the meantime, keep track of your catches so you can enter them by next October 10, 2023.

Good luck on your fishing trips and remember, “That’s why it’s called fishin and not catchin.” (In memory of Jim Hilton)

has a full complement of caps and t-shirts for sale. They would make excellent Christmas gifts for both your young and older anglers. There are summer mesh hats at $6 each and the embroidered hats at $15 each. The t-shirts are in various sizes from youth to adult and sell for $12 each. There are some xxxl t-shirts, which can be used as beach or sleep wear. Contact Jo Alex at joalexclakes@comcast. net or 847-754-8137

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2023, 9 a.m. to noon! Bring the kids for a fun time ice fishing, whether or not they have done it before. No registration needed, just show up. Fishing rods, bait, holes, bonfire, are all provided free. The Optimists Club will be providing free hot chocolate and donuts. CL Fishing Club members will give instruction and assistance in catching fish. In past years, kids have caught hundreds of bluegills and perch, plus several pike. Location is on the Main Lake, just south of Buchanan, off West Royal, with parking alongside the Pickleball Courts. We will also have a free raffle for the kids at 10:30 a.m. with over a dozen great prizes. Adults are welcome to come and learn the techniques. Questions, call Dale Doepker, dtroutman97@aol.com, 972-8663.

BELOW ARE some common safety tips to remember before venturing out onto any frozen lake or pond: 1. Check the ice thickness with a spud or auger. Be aware that snow or slush can hide thin areas. 2. Do not go out alone. Also, carry a rope and ice spikes. 3. Take a cell phone to call 911 for help for yourself or others. 4. To help someone who falls through, do not go near the hole, but use a rope or long object to help them. 5. If you make a large hole for ice fishing, insert a tree branch to mark it before leaving.

FEB 12, 50 Kids participated in the 18th Annual Ice Fishing Derby, the Fishing club furnished all tackle, bait, holes, assistance and gave out 30 free raffle prizes. Optimists Club provided hot chocolate and donuts.

JULY 2, the 20th Annual Young Angler’s Contest had over 60 kids participate. 27 awards were given out, plus every kid who entered received a gift bag. A picnic lunch was provided by the Optimists Club. JUNE 18, 22nd Annual Bass Tournament, with 23 boats. Total weight winner for five bass was 18.06 pounds and largest bass was 4.89 pounds. AUG 5-6, 17th Annual Bullhead Tournament, 10 fishermen, 78 bullhead weighed in. Winner had 27 bullhead weighing 18.28 pounds. Fish were cooked for entrants.

SEPT 10, 19th Annual Pike Tournament, 12 anglers, 55 pike caught and released, Largest was 27” and most total pike caught by one fisherman was 18.

FIVE THREE-HOUR Fishing Fun Nights were scheduled, May thru September, but the first two were canceled due to poor turnout. AT LITTLE PINE ISLAND Salvation Army Youth Camp this Summer, three or four club members each day drove the 50 miles to teach and assist kids catching fish on 13 days. DONATED 10 surplus rod/reels and many lures to Eagle Village. DONATED SIX surplus rod/reels to Indian Youth organization. PURCHASED 30 subscriptions to MUCC Tracks Magazine for area kids. DONATED 6 FISHING RODS & 4 tackle boxes to Salvation Army Angel Tree. YOUTH AND BIG FISH, Year Around Contest, 11 trophies awarded to kids and three trophies for largest fish of the year. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP in Muskegon River Watershed Assembly and Keep America Fishing. PIZZA PROVIDED to entrants in the Fun Nights and Pike Tournament, paid out of entry fees. MEMORIAL PLAQUES for deceased club members.

MEMORIAL DONATIONS for deceased spouses of club members.