Ice Fishing is still at the Heart of Tip-Up Town USA

December 7th - Houghton Lake, MI. With only 44 days to go to the start of Michigan’s largest winter festival (held the last two weekends of January every year), the weather conditions are already looking promising for one of Tip-Up Town’s oldest and most popular activities – the Ice Fishing Contest.

Lyman Foster, owner of Lyman’s on the Lake, and a Board Member of the Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce explains why ice fishing is so popular: “Being relatively shallow, Houghton Lake freezes quickly and it’s not unusual to have 12” or more of solid ice covering the lake by the time Tip-Up Town rolls around. There is a great variety of fish in the lake – Northern Pike, Walleye, Perch, Crappie, Bluegill – something for all fishermen, young and old. And the festival got its name from the equipment that Ice Fishermen like to use while enjoying the sport – Tip Ups! In fact, Houghton Lake grows into a bigger town in the winter, thanks to all the shanties parked out on the ice.”

And what do you get when you put together great fishing conditions and Tip-Up Town? Well, for one thing you get the TUT Ice Fishing Contests, for adults and children. Ivan Bassett, volunteer organizer of the TUT Ice Fishing Contest explains: “This year, there will be cash prizes in both the individual and largest catch categories for adults. Plus, for every entry into the contest, you get a chance to win $100 in the grand draw, held once each weekend. Each of the six individual catch classes (Northern Pike, Walleye, Perch, Crappie, Rock Bass and Bluegill/Sunfish) offers a $25 first prize for the largest fish brought in by 1:00 on both Sundays. It’s great fun to stand and watch the official ‘fish board’ as the fish start to come in and you wonder which fish will be the winner. Or, if quantity, is more your style, plan on entering the largest catch contest, with two categories – Walleye/Northern Pike or the Pan Fish combo class with $50 first prizes.”

The younger fishermen (14 and under) get a chance to compete too in their own contest run both Saturdays. There are prizes for the largest catch in the same individual classes as the main fishing contest.

All that is required for entry into either fishing contests is a 2008 Tip-Up Town USA badge, still great value at $5.

And, if that isn’t enough, watch out for Wally and his friends and you could be fishing for big dollars. In fact, if you go fishing on Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake, or Lake St Helen any time between now and March 15th and are skilful enough to pull out one of the 19 specially tagged fish (including Walleye, Blue Gill, Pike, Bass, Crappie or Perch) you will get a chance to win $25,000 and a minimum of $1,000 at the grand draw on April 1st, 2008. (At the time of writing, only one tagged fish has been caught).

Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce
Houghton Lake Dr,
Houghton Lake, MI 48629, USA

Denise MacKenzie
coyleshl@m33access.com
(989) 422-3812

The Chamber of Commerce organizes many events for the Houghton Lake community to stimulate local business and provide attractions for visitors. Tip-Up-Town USA is the largest winter festival in Northern Michigan and 2008 will be its 58th year.

This release was published on openPR.