fishing FOCUS ON

Dale Doepker

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

23rd Annual Canadian Lakes Bass Tournament Saturday, June 24

THE TOURNAMENT will be from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Check-in time is 6:30 to 7:00 a.m., with a mandatory meeting at 7:00 a.m. The boat check-in location is White Pine Beach, on Maple Crossing Road North of Sunset Shores. The director of the tournament is Jason Snyder.

The entry fee is $25 for each angler in twoperson teams, with an optional $10 additional fee per boat for big bass awards.

There is a five-fish team limit of largemouth or smallmouth bass and fishing is only on the main chain of interconnected lakes. Ten percent of the entry fees go to the Canadian Lakes Fishing Club, before awards, for youth events. The total weight award pays five places: 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, and 10%. The big bass award will pay two places: 60% and 40%. The payout may be modified if the number of entrants is too low.

The Registration Entry Form must be filled out, accompanied by a check made out to Jason Snyder, 11474 S. Lookout Ridge, and received by Thursday, June 22nd. Cancellation after June 22nd will lead to forfeiture of entry fees.

At least one person on each team must be a member in good standing of Canadian Lakes or parent, sibling, child, or grandchild of same. Entry forms and complete rules are available at the CLPOC kiosk or CLA website. All boats must be registered in Canadian Lakes and have a current 2023 Canadian Lakes sticker. For additional information contact Dale Doepker, dtroutman97@aol.com, 972-8663.

Fishing Club Bass Fun Nights Adults and Youth

Wednesdays, June 28 & July 26

FISHING IS FROM 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Please show up before 6:00 p.m. to register and fish for three hours. At 9:00 p.m. we will have pizza, along with comparing our recorded longest bass from catch and release, with artificial lures only.

Bring your own refreshments. Awards are given for the longest fish and total number of bass 14” and over, with only one award per person. We meet at Pierce Beach and if you do not have a boat, come anyway and someone will likely take you on theirs. Entry is $7.00 for Club members and $8.00 for others. The total award amount will be $3.00 times the number of paying participants. Youth 16 and under do not pay the entry fee but are eligible for the cash prizes.

21st Annual Young Angler’s Contest

Saturday, July 1

SATURDAY, JULY 1, 2023, for Canadian Lakes members children, grandchildren and house guests, 16 years and younger. Prizes will be awarded in each of 4 age groups: trophy and prize for largest fish, prize for second largest and 4 or more additional prizes by drawing, so any youth can win a prize.

Anglers are to provide their own tackle and bait and may fish in any of the Canadian Lakes waters, from shore, dock or in a boat. All anglers or their parent/guardian must register at the Pines Pavilion west of the CLPOC main office between 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 30, or Saturday, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. where they will each be given a bag with gifts and instructions. All fish must be caught between Sunrise and 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, (honor system).

Adults may assist the youth only by baiting the hook, casting it out and unhooking the fish. All fish entered must be caught and lifted out of the water with a rod in the hand of the youth. Participants are to bring in only their single largest Bluegill, Pumpkinseed or Sunfish. between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. Saturday for weigh-in. The awards presentation will begin at 11:00 a.m. Crappie, rock bass and perch are not eligible for the contest. All bass, pike 24” and over, and all muskies must be released live.

We will also be filleting entered fish at a separate table for the demonstration. Fishing Club caps ($6 or $15) and tee shirts ($12) will be available for purchase.

The Mecosta County Optimist Club will again provide a free picnic lunch, consisting of hot dogs, chips, cookies, and drinks, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Please bring your own chairs and other refreshments if desired.

There is no advanced entry form, but registration is required by the youth or adult on the afternoon before or morning of the event. There is no charge, and anglers 16 years and under do not need a fishing license.

18th Annual Bullhead Tournament Adults & Youth

Friday, August 4 and Saturday, August 5

FISHING BEGINS at 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 5th and ends at 2:00 a.m. Saturday, August 6th, in any of the Canadian Lakes water bodies. (Shore fishing is usually best.)

The entry fee is $10 per person, except youth 16 and under are free, but are eligible for cash prizes. The weigh-in will be 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 5th at the Pines Pavilion. Twenty percent of the total collected will be used to cover the cost of snacks and refreshments.

Adult’s heaviest bullhead and most total weight of bullhead will each pay 30%. The youth heaviest and most total weight will each pay 10%. (One award per person, tie breaker is heaviest in the other category.)

All Canadian Lakes members, families and house guests are welcome to participate. Anglers can fish together but weigh-in is individual, so fish must be kept separate. Gear is restricted to 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 to bring to the weigh-in. This is a catch and keep tournament and all fish kept will be cleaned and cooked for the participants to

CL Fishing Club Meetings

June 14 and July 12, 7:00 pm at the Alpine Haus enjoy. (All anglers are to bring in their fish, 9” and over regardless of number!)

ANYONE WITH AN interest in fishing or helping youth catch fish is welcome to attend.

Entries must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 5th. 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 beverages 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 see how easy they are to clean, plus they taste so good.