Elusive Walleye To Be Top Target at Moran
Brevort Lake Jamboree Is This Weekend
By Ryan Schlehuber

One tagged walleye has been eluding fishermen since last summer's Walleye Derby in Brevort Lake. Fishermen participating in the inaugural Brevort Lake Ice Fishing Jamboree Saturday, February 16, and Sunday, February 17, will get another chance at bagging the elusive prize, along with another tagged walleye, to win a new snowmobile or a $2,500 lumber package.

The walleye that has eluded hooks since the summer carries a 2008 Arctic Cat snowmobile as a reward. Both walleyes will have orange tags with numbers.

"I put a reward for $200 out there after the Walleye Derby for anyone who catches it, but no one did," said Jamboree coordinator Kirk Lipnitz, a member of the Straits Area Sportsmen's Club, which is sponsoring the event. "He should still be out there."

The fishing contest will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, with a pig roast to take place on the ice Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Contest headquarters and a tent will be set up near the Brevort Lake public access area on Dukes Road in Moran.

The lumber package, to be awarded to the fishermen who catches the second tagged walleye, comes from Moran Lumber Company.

Cash prizes will be given out for biggest walleye ($500), biggest perch ($250), and biggest pike ($250), and prizes will be awarded to children with the biggest fish, as well.

A fireworks display will take place Saturday evening at the Jamboree headquarters. Fireworks will begin around 6:45 p.m.

The Jamboree stems from the success of the club's previous Walleye Derby, said Mr. Lipnitz.

"We had a lot of success, and a lot of fishermen come out for that," he said. "We've also coordinated this event to coincide with the state's free fishing weekend, so we should have a good turnout."

Fifty people have already registered for the event, as of Monday, February 11.

Fishing in Brevort Lake has steadily improved over the years, rebounding from low lake levels, and today, said Mr. Lipnitz, the lake has an abundance of fish.

"Fishing has been very good there lately," Mr. Lipnitz said. "People are catching pike, perch, walleye, and small mouth bass."

He said ice on the lake has been thick this winter.

Pre-registration is $25 per person. Registration on the day of the event is $35. Youth 12 and younger will receive free admission.

Pre-registration forms can be acquired in Moran at True Value, King's Fish Market and Restaurant, and Bradford's gas station, and in St. Ignace at True Value, Pines Trading Post, and St. Ignace Barber Shop.

Call Mr. Lipnitz at 643-7979 or Jimmie Miller at 643-6743 for more information.