Fishing tourney to hit Wolverine Lake waters on Aug. 20

An article by Leslie Shepard    4 Comments

The Village of Wolverine Lake is hosting its 12th annual fishing tournament on Saturday, Aug. 20 from 6-11 a.m.

“We try to promote taking a child out and doing some fishing while having quality time together. If you catch something, it makes it all the more fun,” said Parks and Recreation Board member and fishing tournament organizer Phil Peters.

The “catch and release” contest is a tradition in the village when residents go out in droves to shoot for for the largest catch of the day.

Participants are directed to weigh in their catches at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) launch site behind the village offices or on designated boats on the lake. Yellow flags identify the DNR weigh-in site and the committee boats. Tournament boats will be situated on Wolverine Lake at the Benstein end and on the Penny Lake arm.

The weigh-in will be held from 8 a.m. until noon at the DNR launch site, and from 8-11 a.m. on tournament boats.

Residents are required to register for the event. Costs for residents are $2 for children, and $4 for participants 18-years-old and older. Non-residents pay $3 for children, while it’s $7 for non-resident adults.

Fish caught must meet DNR size and weight requirements. Winners are based on the largest fish in its category according to weight. This year the categories include: bass, pike, walleye, perch, crappie, most unusual fish, and pan fish (including sunfish, pumpkin). There will be two panfish categories, judged according to largest fish by weight; and total weight of 10 fish for ages 1-12.

Participants are divided into age groupings of 1- to 7-years-old; 8- to 12-years-old; 12- to 17-years-old; and 18-years-old and up.

Prizes are awarded in all categories for 17 and under and one first-place prize will be awarded to the winner of the adult category.

Grand-prize winners will be published on the village website and listed at the village offices.

Awards will be presented at the village corn roast on Sept. 10.

A photographer will be on site near the shoreline to take photos for $1 a piece during the event.

The village is encouraging prize donations and volunteers to support the program.