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Whether it’s fishing for salmon on Lake Michigan, trout in the PM River or Manistee River, or walleye in Hamlin Lake, West Michigan has the best variety of fishing. And local tournaments give anglers a chance to add a little money to their pocket in addition to the fish in their bucket. No matter what time of year you want to cast a line, the West Michigan area provides great fishing opportunities and plenty of fishing tournaments!
The State of Michigan offers its residents and outstate visitors two Free Fishing Weekends per year. According to the Michigan Fisheries Department (517) 373-1280, the February date is always the weekend before President’s Day, and the June date is the weekend following the first full week of June.
The Winter Free Fishing Weekend has occurred since 1994 as a way to raise awareness of Michigan’s vast aquatic resources and fishing opportunities. There are over 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, 11,000 inland lakes and uncounted miles of rivers and streams.
Sponsored by Pere Marquette Expeditions. All DNR rules apply and any Michigan lake may be fished. Entry fee is $10 and registration must be completed before the 7am start time. Registration opens at 5:30am. There will be a 100% payout for the longest pike. This tournament is only for pike- no other fish will be included. Participants must be in line for measuring at Suttons Landing by 5pm.
Osborn’s Sport Shop– 8929 Chippewa Hwy. in Bear Lake, sponsors its annual Big Ice Fishing Tournament each year in February. Prizes are awarded to adults and to children, in separate categories, for pike, walleye, perch, smelt, bluegill and crappie. There is also a biggest fish prize, and several door prize drawings.
Sponsored by Pere Marquette Expeditions. The Gettin’ Jiggy Tournament coincides with Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend. Entry fee is $10 and there is a 100% payout for the longest fish in each category: Bluegill, Crappie, and Perch. You must be in line for measuring by 6pm. At the end of the tournament, free hot dogs will be served at Sutton’s Landing down at the river and is included in the entry fee.
The Ryan Williams Perch Derby is part of Winterfest in Pentwater each February. The event is from 7am-4pm and participants register at the Pentwater Convenience Center.
Sponsored by Pere Marquette Expeditions. Named for local fisherman, Ray Finholm, who passed away in a boating accident. All DNR rules apply and any Michigan lake may be fished. Prize includes a 100% payout for the longest fish in each category: Pike, Steelhead and Perch. You must be in line for measuring by 6pm. The $10 entry fee includes sloppy joes down by the river at Sutton’s Landing following the tournament.
Sponsored by the Pentwater Sportfishing Association. Award Categories: One Grand Prize, Six Salmon Prizes, Six Lake Trout Prizes, Six Brown Trout Prizes, and Six Steelhead Prizes. All entrants must be current association members.
Top Cash Prizes are $15,000 for Pros, $5,000 for Amateurs (payouts subject to change based on participation). Am Division pays half the field guaranteed. For more information, visit tournamenttrail.net/tournament.
Sponsored by the Pentwater Sportfishing Association. Cash prizes and plaques will be awarded for the biggest fish (weight) entered of the season for King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Lake Trout, and Brown Trout. Prizes Presented at PSA Annual Meeting in August. For registration or more information, visit pentwaterpsa.org/annual-big-fish-contest.
Ladies/Kids fish Friday: $100 entry, weigh best 5. Muskegon’s Heritage Landing will serve as Tournament HQ for all events including Captain’s Meetings, Weigh-Ins and Awards. Capt. Meeting/ On-Site Registration 5-7pm on Thursday or Friday. Captain’s Meeting follows at 7pm on both days. For more information, visit tournamenttrail.net/tournament.
Held in conjunction with Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend, this event has three age groups: 3-6, 7-10, and 11-16. Registration forms will be available at sign-in from 7am-10am at the main pavilion. Fishing supplies (bait and fishing poles to borrow) will be available on a first come first served basis. Contestants need to be in line for Weigh-In by 12pm. Goodrich Park- 100 N. Lake St., Whitehall.
The Ludington Offshore Fishing Classic on Lake Michigan is the biggest tournament of the summer, with cash and prizes given away. The event includes a Ladies Pro/Am, Youth Classic, a Big Fish Contest, and the Classic Big Boys Contest. In the afternoon as the boats make their way in, hundreds head to Ludington’s Waterfront Park to watch the weigh-in. The size of some of the fish are quite incredible.
Pro/Am/333 event with a Ladies Prelim. Fish from Manistee, Onekama, or Arcadia. Side bets include $1,000 Big Fish and Day 2 Big Box. Captain’s Meetings and on site registrations will take place on Thursday and Friday evenings. For more information, visit tournamenttrail.net/tournament.
Ladies/Kids fish Friday: $100 entry, weigh best 5. Muskegon’s Heritage Landing will serve as Tournament HQ for all events including Captain’s Meetings, Weigh-Ins and Awards. Capt. Meeting/ On-Site Registration 5-7pm on Thursday or Friday. Captain’s Meeting follows at 7pm on both days. For more information, visit tournamenttrail.net/tournament.
Sponsored by the Pentwater Sportfishing Association. Prizes are as follows: 1st Place for Big Fish, 2nd Place for Most Fish (Tie Determined by Heaviest Ten-Fish Weight), 3rd Place for Mystery Weight (Random weight chosen at weigh in), and Big Species awards for Salmon, Coho, Steelhead and Lake Trout. For more information, call Lyn Snider at (616) 291-2568 or Patsy Gettings (231) 250-9737), or in person at Charlie’s Marina. For more information, visit pentwaterpsa.org.
Tournament is held in Frankfort, MI and includes multiple divisions. The Lucky 7 Prelim is on Thursday, the Ladies Classic is Friday, and the Pro/Am/Big Fish/333 is Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit tournamenttrail.net/tournaments#/frankfort.
Doug & Shar Hekman Family Foundation tournament held in Holland. $10,000 1st Place Pro, $5,000 1st Place AM, $1,000 1st Place Big Fish *Payouts subject to change based on participation. For more information, visit bigredclassic.com.
Monster Ladies/Kids prelim on Friday. Weigh your best 5. $100/team. $10,000 Cash Purse (30 boat min). All Big Checks Doubled. All 333 Choice & Combo Prizes Awarded. Additional Cash Payouts Based on Registration. Sequestered Weigh In Day 1. $400 Entry. For more information, visit tournamenttrail.net/tournaments.
Sponsored by the Pentwater Sportfishing Association and Bannink’s. Prizes include 1st Place for biggest salmon, 2nd Place for biggest trout (Either lake trout, brown trout, or steelhead), 3rd Place for combo weight (Either two salmon/one trout or two trout/one salmon, 4th Place for mystery weight (closest fish weighing to the picked weight from three-six pounds- can be either under or over weight. All entry fees must be paid by 7pm on September 2nd. For more information, visit nebula.wsimg.com or call Rob Bannink at (231) 327-0841.
The popular tourist town of Ludington, Michigan will celebrate its 150th birthday (sesquicentennial) in 2023. Many events will be included.
Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!
The Caswell Horse Park at the Mason County Fairgrounds in Ludington is a busy place from May-October, with many horse shows.
The Miss Ludington Area Scholarship Program is typically held each September and is a precursor to the Miss Michigan program.
After a busy day at the beach or at work, it’s time to kick back and relax a while. What better way than to listen to some music.
The communities along Lake Michigan are blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us throughout the year.
Pentwater is known for its art galleries, antiques shops and boutiques, so expect some great finds at their summer arts and crafts fairs.
Current family-friendly events in West Michigan, great, fun, things to do for kids of all ages! Fun for the whole family!
West Michigan is a popular location for various races and runs… including the Lakestride Half Marathon and the Lighthouse Triathlon.
Autumn is a great time in West Michigan, with fall festivals, corn mazes, Halloween parties and ghost ships.
Visit downtown Ludington and enjoy music and family activities in an outdoor setting, to celebrate one of the last hurrahs of the season!
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The Pentwater River provides opportunities to experience a paddle sport for the first time or take on a challenge for those more experienced.
Agriculture plays a large role in the economics of Mason County. Take this self-guided tour to learn about agriculture in Mason County.
A site to behold along Lake Michigan, these structures with a rich history give both a sense of safety and a beautiful site.
West Michigan is home to numerous artists with so many different talents. Groovy music, vivid paintings, gorgeous photography, and more!
The Silver Lake State Park is 3,000 acres and is situated between Silver Lake and Lake Michigan, offering boating, fishing, swimming, & ORV.
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes has miles of sand trails and hills, where hikers are rewarded at the end with spectacular views of Lake Michigan.
The Traverse City Opera House has a 700-seat theater which offers a place for quality arts and cultural entertainment.
Beautiful color emerges come Fall. Take it all in with an afternoon drive, or stroll, through the many forests of West Michigan.
Along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Ludington and Manistee, you’ll find natural splendor- the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness area.
Michigan has a public ORV trail system for four different riding opportunities–motorcycles, ATVs, ORVs, and scramble areas.
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