REGION – Family Fishing Fest was held at Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake, and Lake St. Helen on the state’s Free Fishing Weekend.
There were contests for different species of fish at each lake. Each fisherman that entered a fish was entered into the drawing for a Guided Ice Fishing Trip. Lyon Township Supervisor Ed Nelist pulled the winning ticket, Ethan Blackwell. Ethan also won the Diawa Fishing Rod and Real Combo.
The contest consisted of four different species for both children fewer than 16 and adults. The species of fish for Higgins Lake were Lake Trout, Pike, Perch, and Rock Bass.
Lake Trout Division for the Adults showed two entries:
First Place was taken by Brian Gehrcke of Portland, MI with a 26′ Lake Trout
Second Place entry was Randy Kluck of Saginaw, Mi with a 24′ Lake Trout
There were no other entries in any of the other species.
Children’ entries showed three entrants:
- First Place in Lake Trout species was Cooper Gehrcke of Portland, Mi. with 26.5′ fish;
- Second Place was Ethan Blackwell with a 25.25’Lake Trout;
- In the Rock Bass species, Matthew Rogers of Newaygo, Mi. took the First Place;
- Matthew and his Family were camping at the South State Park Campgrounds and attended the Casting Class that was hosted by the DNR. Matthew caught his fish in Marl Lake. His family then rode the Trolley to Park 27 for the events there.
Each Fisherman that entered a fish was entered into the drawing for a Guided Ice Fishing Trip. Supervisor Ed Nelist pulled the winning ticket. Ethan Blackwell was the winner. Ethan also won the Diawa Fishing Rod and Real Combo. Cooper also won a Fishing Rod and Reel.
Results for Houghton Lake and Lake St. Helen were not available.
