Anglers Will Seek Walleye Saturday
Brevort Lake Derby
By Paul Gingras

Anew Angler V167 fishing boat sits in plain view of US-123 in Moran, tempting fishing enthusiasts to make their best efforts at the second annual Brevort Lake Walleye Derby Saturday, May 31, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The boat is the main prize in the contest. It will be awarded to the angler who catches this year's newly tagged fish. Anglers catching previously tagged fish will win cash prizes of $500. Cash prizes will also be awarded for the largest walleye, bass, and pike.

"Preparations are going well. We have a good start on sign ups," said Kirk Lipnitz of the Brevort Township Community Foundation, which sponsors the event. Mr. Lipnitz expects most anglers, whose numbers he hopes will reach 100, to register this week.

Having run two previous fishing contests, he said registrations tend to snowball as the events draw near.

"Fishing on Brevort Lake has been excellent this year," said Jimmie Miller of the foundation and the Straits Area Sportsmen's Club. "A lot have been caught, including a lot of three- and four-year-old walleye."

To prevent over fishing, organizers are planning to cap registrations at 100.

The lake's fish population has strongly rebounded after a drop several years ago, Mr. Miller said.

To gauge the health of the fishery, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) netted fish shortly after the ice melted this spring, and reported the best population of walleye in Brevort Lake since the early 1980s, Mr. Miller said. On May 8 and May 9, the DNR and the federal forest service conducted another fish survey, spanning the perimeter of the lake, confirming the large number of walleye, he added.

"Aquatically, the lake is about the best I have ever seen it," Mr. Miller said. Anglers are catching a wide variety of species, including blue gills, perch, and some muskies.

While the warm weather that's forecast is likely to draw some anglers, fishing enthusiasts tend to be unhindered by cool, even rainy weather, Mr. Miller said. Walleye tend to be especially active in nasty weather.

Rain or shine, anglers will be out on lake competing for a $1,000 prize for the largest walleye, a $600 prize for second largest, and $300 for the third-largest walleye. For the largest pike, first prize is $500, second is $250, and third is $50. For largest bass, first prize is $500, second is $250, and third is $50.

Proceeds from the event are to be split between the community foundation and the sportsmen's club. The foundation will use its portion for a new fireworks show over Brevort Lake Saturday, July 5, and to replace aging American flags displayed in Moran.

The sportsmen's club will use proceeds to continue its fish crib program, in which members build wooden fish shelters and place them on the lake bottom, providing safe breeding ground that enhances the fishery.

The club will also use proceeds for children's fishing projects, and is working with the St. Ignace Downtown Development Authority to create a fishing platform in the city.

Anglers can register for the Fishing Derby through May 30 at St. Ignace True Value, Moran Lumber Company, King's Fish Market in Moran, and Bradford's Gas and Grocery in Moran.

A fish fry and awards ceremony will follow the derby at 4 p.m. Saturday at a tent between Moran Lumber and King's.

For more information, call Mr. Lipnitz at 643-7979 or Mr. Miller at 643-6743.