Raber Area Sportsmen's Club Plants 1,600 Walleye in Bay

The Raber Area Sportsmen's Club (RASC) planted 1,600 seven to nine-inch walleye in Raber Bay Monday, November 13. The fingerlings will join other walleye planted and naturally reproducing in the St. Marys River system.

The fish were purchased by the club in conjunction with donations from Inter-Tribal Fisheries and McDonald Realty of Pickford.

"Helping to increase the fishing enjoyment of the public through stocking is something that this club puts a lot of energy into. All proceeds of our fishing tournaments are applied to stocking public waters," said RASC president Paul Warner Jr.

Last year the club planted 1,000 fish. RASC vice president David O'Polka said the increase in planting numbers is directly correlated to involvement in the fishing tournaments.

"We have had an overwhelming show of support from our membership and the public at the tournaments," said Mr. O'Polka. "The perch tournament in March brought out 192 participants.

"With that continuing kind of support, we can only expect to increase our yearly plant numbers," he said.

Two fishing tournaments are scheduled for 2007. A Saturday, March 10, perch fishing tournament will be on Raber Bay, and will be the same as last year's event, involving a one-day tournament with pre-drilled holes and a race to the holes.

Last year's inaugural ice fishing event attracted nearly 200 participants.

A summer walleye and pike tournament will take place in June.

Member Peter Postula Jr. welcomed the public to join the club and support its efforts.

"We currently have more than 400 members," he added. "It's great to be involved in something that is making a difference you can really see."