fishing FOCUS ON

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

SATURDAY, JUNE 24 was a great day for bass fishing and 20 boats participated in the tournament. The weather was very sunny and hot, but the fish cooperated. First place went to Carnevale & Rodriquez, with 18.32 pounds for five bass. Second was Snyder & Vinton with 16.94 pounds, who also had the second largest bass at 4.76 pounds. Third was Natalie & Jeff Abel, with 15.57 pounds. Fourth was Kelly & McCallister with 15.52 pounds (same place as last year). Fifth was Gray & Gray with 15.06 pounds. The first with the largest bass was Wilson & Bollinger at 5.00 pounds.

The total winning weight of five fish was just a little higher than last year, and the two largest fish were a little larger than last year. Most boats brought in five fish, and all the fish but one were released live. Thanks again to Jason Snyder for being director of this event and his helper Al.

THE YOUNG ANGLER’S CONTEST was very successful again this year with over 110 kids registering for fishing and awards. We gave out 110 gift bags and 32 awards to kids who fished. Included in the gift bag was an MDNR magazine and wrist band, MUCC Tracks Magazine, a small flag from Coldwell Banker, Bass Stopper Lure donated by the manufacturer, a bag for the fish entry and some miscellaneous lures. Also, the Mecosta County Optimist Club generously provided a great picnic lunch and refreshments.

The largest bluegill entered was 9.4 ounces by 12-year-old Emmy Edwards.

Second largest was 9.2 ounces by 5-yearold, Emmett Hotchkiss. Patrick Fox won first place in the 8 to 10-year-old group with 7.1 ounces. In the 2 to 4-year-old group, Dillon Abel took first place with 6.4 ounces. We sold Canadian Lakes Fishing Club tee shirts and caps, gave away many additional fishing rod/reels, and there were also generous donations from attenders. A hearty thanks to all of the 17 volunteers from the fishing club and 12 from the Optimists Club who gave of their time and effort to make this annual event a success.

Friday & Saturday, August 4 & 5

FISHING BEGINS at 8:00 P.M.

Friday August 4 and ends by 2:00 A.M. Saturday August 5, in any Canadian Lakes water body. (Shore fishing is usually best.)

Entry fee is $10 per person, except youth 16 and under are free, but eligible for cash prizes. The weigh-in will be 10:00 to 10:30 A.M. Saturday, August 5 at the Pines Pavilion.

Forty percent of the total collected will be used to cover cost of snacks and refreshments. Adult heaviest bullhead and most total weight of bullhead will each pay 25%. Youth heaviest and most total weight will each pay 5%. (One award per person, tie breaker is heaviest in the other category.)

All Canadian Lakes members, families and members’ house guests are welcome to participate. Fishermen can fish together but weigh-in is individual, so fish must be kept separate. Gear is restricted to

Saturday, September 9, 2023

THIS EVENT IS from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Registration deadline is 6:00 p.m. Friday, September

8. Eligible are Canadian Lakes members, families, and guests. Any number may be in a boat, but this is an individual tournament. Entry fee is $20 per angler, free for children 16 and under. The tournament begins with a check-in meeting at 7:45 a.m. and ends with results submittal at 2:00 p.m., both at Pierce Beach on West Lake. Only artificial lures are allowed, one rod fished at a time for each angler with trolling permitted. If you do not boat from Pierce Beach, you must still check-in at Pierce Beach and return there.

All pike and muskies caught are to be measured, documented on a form

MDNR fishing regulations: three rods and two hooks per rod. The minimum size is nine inches to qualify, so please release all smaller fish.

Pack all fish on ice in a cooler for bringing to the weigh-in. This is a catch and keep tournament and all fish kept will be cleaned and cooked for the participants to enjoy. (All fishermen are to bring in their fish, 9” and over regardless of number!) Entries must be received by 4:00 P.M. on Friday, August 4. Mail or deliver names and money to John Eberhardt, 11102 Westlawn, 239-207-8091, lidisllamas@yahoo.com

Bottled water, snack bags and cooked fish will be provided for participants. Please bring your own refreshments and other food to share if desired. Youth 16 and under are especially encouraged to participate, as this is the easiest way for them to catch fish and also see how easy they are to clean, and how good they taste.

provided, and released immediately. Photo evidence required for all fish over 24 inches. Pizza and bottled water will be provided at 2 p.m. Cash prizes to those paying entry fee: longest pike/muskie, second longest, most total inches of pike/muskie 24 inches and over, and most total pike/ muskie any size. Prizes can be won in combination. Separate cash prizes for youth. Tournament director is ineligible for prizes. Submit $20 per angler and participant names to Jeff or Natalie Abel, 9325 Edgewater Drive (231-287-1899) by September

8. Bulletins with full details are available on the CLA website (canadianlakesassociation.org) or in the office kiosk.

If you know any person or group in need of fishing rods & reels, the CL Fishing Club usually has some operable used ones available. Contact Dale Doepker 972-8663 or Mark Ouderkirk, 616-454-9868 to obtain them. Surplus rods/reels can be delivered to either Dale or Mark, and if salvageable, they will be made operable for donation or kids awards.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22 will be Bass Fishing Fun Night from 5 to 8 p.m. Just show up at Pierce Beach by 5:00 p.m., register, fish for three hours, catch, measure, release and record your catch. Return to the beach by 8:00 p.m. for awards and pizza. Entry is $7 for Fishing Club Members and $8 for everyone else. Wednesday, September 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. will be Pike Fishing Fun Night. Same as above but return by 7 p.m.