Fishing Tournaments & Events
West Michigan fishing tournaments give anglers a chance to add a little money to their pocket in addition to the fish in their bucket.
Photo by Billy Huynh on Unsplash.com
The love of flight is one that can be nurtured with experience in the air but flights can be costly and hard to come by for many.
This is a prime reason that pilot members of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) provide free flights to kids at their Young Eagles Rallies in Mason, Oceana, and Grand Traverse Counties every year. Young Eagles Rallies happen annually all over the country to nurture the love of flight and, to date, over 2 million kids have received free flights through the Young Eagles Program.
The Experimental Aircraft Association 772/Mason County Pilot’s Association host their annual Young Eagles Rally each July at the Mason County Airport- 5530 W. US 10 in Ludington. At the event, kids ages 8-17 are invited to take a free airplane ride with a local pilot. Pilots involved in the event donate their time and use of their aircraft.
Families are encouraged to arrive early as the event fills up quickly. All kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to fly.
In 2024, 92 children received free plane rides at the event.
The 2025 event will be held on Saturday, July 12th from 9am-1pm with a rain date of Sunday, July 13th (same times).
The Oceana County Young Eagles Rally, also hosted by EAA 772, is held each September from 9am-12pm at the Oceana County Airport- 1805 W. Baseline Road in Shelby.
There will not be a Young Eagles Rally in Oceana County for 2025.
EAA 234 hosts multiple opportunities throughout North-West Michigan each year.
The Young Eagles Program through EAA 234 also has a Young Eagles Club that holds monthly meetings and introduces young people ages 12-16 to aviation and STEM related activities. These activities lead to the ability to understand the principles of flight, navigation, airplane and airport terminology, airspace, and air traffic control.
The EAA group here also offers the Young Eagles Private Pilot Education Mentoring Program, through which kids receive a free coupon to Sporty’s Online Private Pilot Ground School. This course can qualify those interested for the FAA Private Pilot Written Exam. This program hosts twice monthly mentoring sessions to help with the material that is presented in the online ground school.
Young Eagles Rallies Hosted by EAA 234 for 2025 are as follows:
Mason County Aviation offers charter flights as well as airplane rides along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline. Call (231) 843-6873 or visit the Mason County Airport in Ludington for more info.
This would be a great way to check out the view from above Big Sable Point, Hamlin Lake, Nordhouse Dunes and many other beautiful areas in West Michigan!
West Michigan fishing tournaments give anglers a chance to add a little money to their pocket in addition to the fish in their bucket.
Grab snacks, chairs, and blankets to enjoy a family friendly movie at Manistee’s beautiful First Street Beach near the Rotary Gazebo.
Motorcycles of all varieties and sizes make their way to Baldwin every May for the annual Blessing of the Bikes.
Take a tour on the Historic S.S. City of Milwaukee car ferry and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Acacia docked in Manistee, Michigan.
A magnificent display of color; the Northern Lights can be viewed at the right time of year at the right place in West Michigan!
The Silver Lake State Park is 3,000 acres and is situated between Silver Lake and Lake Michigan, offering boating, fishing, swimming, & ORV.
Before you make a splash in Lake Michigan, check out the water temperatures for beaches from Manistee, Ludington, Pentwater, and Silver Lake.
The Michigan Audubon Society Lake Bluff Center overlooks Lake Michigan near Manistee and features wildlife and a bird sanctuary.
The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is a cultural center in West Michigan and plays an integral part in Manistee’s history.