Photo by Tight Lines for Troops on Facebook
In May of each year, Tight Lines for Troops, a charity fishing tournament for Michigan’s disabled veterans, is held from the port of Manistee, Michigan.
First held in 2010, the idea for the tournament was the brain child of Bob Guenthardt, a Manistee County charter captain, former Ogema of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, and a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Sponsored by the City of Manistee, Little River Casino & Resort, Manistee Area Fishing Boats, and Seng’s Marina; proceeds from the event benefit the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, Paralyzed Veterans of America: Michigan Chapter, and the Manistee County Veterans Endowment Fund.
The event is free to veterans and priority for participation is given to Purple Heart recipients, Disabled Veterans, and POWs. Veterans pay no charter fees or entry fees, and are provided with a box lunch and dinner banquet on fishing day.
In addition to the charter boat fishing opportunities, a Pier, Shore, and River Division offers a chance for veterans to fish from the piers or go wading or canoeing in the river. Manistee has several accessible fishing piers along the river.
There’s so much to see and do in Manistee! Read the stories below or go to the Manistee destination page.
The North Pierhead Lighthouse, located in the Victorian Port City of Manistee, stands watch over Lake Michigan.
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.
Along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Ludington and Manistee, you'll find natural splendor- the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness area.
Take one of the most scenic drives in the nation as you travel across M-22 in West Michigan. A long winding road of adventure awaits!
There are great events and festivals throughout the year in Manistee, Michigan's Victorian Port City. Find fun for the whole family!
The Victorian port city of Manistee, MI features a River Walk, historic Ramsdell Theatre and the S.S. City of Milwaukee.
Manistee offers a variety of fishing opportunities! Cast your own line into one of the many lakes or streams — or hop aboard a charter boat!
The historical Vogue Theatre in Manistee, renovated as a modern-day movie theater, shows current movies, classic films, and family movies.
The township of Arcadia in Manistee County, home of Arcadia Daze every July, is less than 15 minutes north of Onekama.
Onekama, in Manistee County, is the first community along the M-22 Scenic Heritage Route and is commonly known as the "Two Lake Town."
Take one of the most scenic drives in the nation as you travel across M-22 in West Michigan. A long winding road of adventure awaits!
Beautiful color emerges come Fall. Take it all in with an afternoon drive, or stroll, through the many forests of West Michigan.
The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is a cultural center in West Michigan and plays an integral part in Manistee’s history.
Manistee has the unique combination of beauty, history and nature, which attracts visitors from all over and inspires many to call it home.
The Manistee River spans for miles and provides the perfect watershed for kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and exploring.
Manistee County fishing reports for the Manistee River and Manistee Lake are provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Known as the "Two Lake Town", Onekema is just 20 minutes from Manistee and provides a cozy escape from the everyday.
The Manistee Riverwalk follows the Manistee River from Jones Street, under the US-31 bridge, behind downtown, and ends at First Street beach.
Winter in Manistee County includes great outdoor activities like skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, ice skating, and more.
Manistee National Forest together with the Huron National Forest occupies almost a million acres of land in Michigan's lower peninsula.
The Michigan Audubon Society Lake Bluff Center overlooks Lake Michigan near Manistee and features wildlife and a bird sanctuary.
Tight Lines for Troops Committee
P.O. Box 274, Manistee, MI 49660
(231) 723-3282
Find all the places where the kids can visit and have pictures taken with Santa in Ludington, Scottville, Manistee, Oceana County, and more.
Current family-friendly events in West Michigan, great, fun, things to do for kids of all ages! Fun for the whole family!
The Ludington Area Festival of Lights is a dazzling drive-thru light display that runs from Thanksgiving until the last weekend of December.
Arts & Crafts Shows and Bazaars during the fall/winter in West Michigan have handcrafted and specialty items for your Christmas gift giving.
The communities along Lake Michigan are blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us throughout the year.
The Michigan Audubon Society Lake Bluff Center overlooks Lake Michigan near Manistee and features wildlife and a bird sanctuary.
Dune Rides in your ATV or ORV are popular at Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan, but many rules and regulations apply.
Various farm markets around Traverse City offer a bounty of the best-tasting produce around, with many open from May until early fall.
The Silver Lake State Park is 3,000 acres and is situated between Silver Lake and Lake Michigan, offering boating, fishing, swimming, & ORV.
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is situated at the end of the Leelanau Peninsula within, about eight miles north of the town of Northport.
The Pere Marquette River area is rich with wildlife, offering great outdoors hunting and fishing opportunities.