Walleye Bonanza Brings A Boat Load of Fun

The fishing contest continues its tradition of fun and sportsmanship.

August 2, 2008       Leave a Comment
By: Jeni Joan

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On Saturday, August 2nd, the annual Walleye Bonanza was held from 6:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Eagle Bay Marina in Standish. Sponsored and hosted by the Sterling Sportsmen Association, the Walleye Bonanza is a tradition which goes back for many years. The Sterling Sportsmen Association have been hosting this tournament since 1986.

The tournament was simple: Fishermen were judged based on a string of 5 fish, the string of fish that weighed the most won(if there is a tie, the string with the largest fish wins). But you must be at the check in/out point by 4:30 pm, or you would be disqualified. To compete in the contest, the cost was $20 per person, and there was a minimum of two people per boat, with a maximum of five people per boat. There were several monetary prizes handed out, fishermen were playing for up to 20th place. For those who ended up anywhere from 11th to 20th place, they won $50. For those in 6th to 10th place, they received $75. For the 5th place winner, he or she won $150. 4th place earned $250. The third runner up won $500. The fisherman in 2nd place was given $750. The grand prize was $1000.

But of course, for the 81 boat loads of people participating in this event, it wasn't just about the money. There was the thrill of competition, of course, but one of the main reasons was just to have fun, to hang out with friends and family, to just relax. Spectators and those fishermen done early could just kick back and have some hot dogs and cool refreshments. When asked the main reason so many people participate in the Walleye Bonanza, Don Kroczaleski, a member of the Sterling Sportsman Association, responded "It's something to do for everyone, everyone can participate, family or just buddies hanging out, and it is a lot of fun." And indeed it was a lot of fun, as another year of fishing and fun came to a close.

Here returning fishermen weighed their fish and then got to relax with some cool refreshments and some good food.
(MyBayCity Photo by Jeni Joan)

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Jeni Joan
Jennifer Joan is a recent graduate of Saginaw Valley State University with a B.A. in communications. She lives North of Standish and reports on Pinconning area news for O. J. Advertising. More from Jeni Joan

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