HOUGHTON LAKE – even-year-old Marisa Jackson of Bridgeport was fishing in Houghton Lake with her family when she caught the first tagged fish on the opening day of the 2016-17 Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau’ Catch Us If You Can fishing contest.
‘We could not be more excited for Marisa,’ Dave Clouse, president of the bureau, said. ‘It means a lot to see families pass on the love of fishing to the next generation.’
Marisa’ 12-inch rock bass was actually her second catch of the day. Ten minutes earlier she caught a rock bass and as per family tradition, she netted a $1 from everyone in the boat for the first catch of the day. She put her own minnow on the hook, dropped her own line and reeled the fish in herself. Also on the boat that day were her grandparents, father, cousin and her nine-year-old brother.
Her catch was verified at contest sponsor Lyman’ on the Lake where she and her grandmother received a $50 gas card for bringing the tag in.
‘My parents and I have been fishing Houghton Lake and Higgins Lake for years,’ said Nichol, Marisa’ mother. ‘We have never caught a tagged fish before. Marisa was so proud when she took the fish into Lyman’.’
Marisa is a first grade student at Handley Elementary School in Saginaw. She could be starting an early college fund if her parents pick the matching envelopes in the April 2017 grand prize drawing at Spicer’ Boat City. The grand prize is $100,000 and Lund boat from Spicer’. There is a guaranteed major prize of $500 cash and $500 in prizes.
The second place prize is a Mark Martin Ice Fishing School valued at $500.
Anglers can bring their tagged fish in for verification at Lyman’ and H&H Fireworks in Houghton Lake, as well as Korbinski’ Marine in Prudenville, West Higgins Lake Hardware at Higgins Lake, and Trail’ End Motel in St. Helen.
For more information on the contest, please contact the HLATB office at 1-989-422-2002, 1-800-676-5330 or email info@visithoughtonlake.com. Contest rules are found on www.visithoughtonlake.com.
PHOTO
Marisa Jackson has a successful day fishing on Houghton Lake.
