For the past few years the banks of the Pine River in St. Louis have been relatively quiet during the second weekend of June.
That’s because the annual Joe Scholtz Memorial Fishing Derby hasn’t taken place since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, however, the event that draws hundreds of fishermen of all ages is back.
It will run from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
The derby, which in 2012 was renamed in honor of Scholtz, its founder and former St. Louis mayor who passed away unexpectedly in 2011, had been held for 21 straight years.
The derby, which normally draws between 200 and 500 participants depending on the weather, is always scheduled the second Saturday in June to coincide with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Free Fishing Weekend when no fishing license is required.
The event is headquartered at Leppien Park, located at the corner of Devon Drive and West Washington Street, but anglers can fish at several other spots throughout the city, including just below the municipal dam at Barnum Park or above it at Penny Park.
Only shore fishing is allowed. No boats are permitted.
Prizes will be awarded for the largest fish by weight and most fish caught in four age groups, 6 and younger, 7-12, 13-18 and adult.
Everyone who enters will receive a prize, which will be handed out about 1 p.m. at Leppien Park. All participants will also get free hot dogs, chips and a bottle of water.
started the derby as a way to improve the reputation of the Pine River and the city after being plagued by decades of contamination from the former Velsicol Chemical Co. plant.
Much work has been done to clean up the pollution over the past several years and Scholtz wanted to highlight the progress that had been made to the fishery.
Since his passing, members of the Alma-St. Louis Lions Club and the Pine River Superfund Citizens Task Force have taken over organizational duties for the event.
Entry forms are available at city hall or on the city’s website at www.stlouismi.com.
For more details call Adam Musselman at 989-400-6642.
St. Louis free fishing derby returns - The Morning Sun
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