The list of events to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic continues to grow. The latest event to be canceled is the Lake Trout Classic Fishing Tournament. This long-running tournament based out of the Ontonagon Marina was to run in the end of May.

“Due to unpredictable weather later in the year, we have decided to cancel the tourney for this year,” stated Larry Grieg, Tournament Founder and Coordinator. “If it wasn’t for the pandemic, this year’s tourney was looking to be another great fundraiser for the Ontonagon County Cancer Association (OCCA).

The OCCA received over $5,000 in last year’s tournament. All the money that the OCCA receives goes to Ontonagon County citizens and residents fighting cancer. This includes transportation, lodging, and other expenses. The OCCA is not a part of the American Cancer Society.

“We were fortunate to have already lined up major sponsorship from Aspirus-Ontonagon, Lake Shore Systems, and of course the Upper Peninsula Sport Fisherman’s Association (UPSFA),” Grieg explained.

This past winter the Ice Fishing Tournament that Grieg led for the Upper Peninsula Sport Fisherman’s Association had to be cancelled due to unsafe ice conditions. Grieg, a board member for the group, had plans to have some of the fish caught in the tournament grilled out and served to the community.

This fish fry started in last year’s tourney and was served at the Ontonagon VFW Post. In addition to bringing fishermen and women from all over the Midwest to Ontonagon, the event was all about raising money for the OCCA and to bring people to our community and local businesses.

The tourney was also a way to promote the UPSFA, who works with the Fishing Divisions in the Ottawa National Forest, and the Michigan DNR. The group has coordinated fish plants and fish habitat improvement in the County.

While members of the UPSFA were saddened to hear that the Lake Trout Classic Fishing Tournament had to be canceled, they understood that with the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that a lot of the participants congregate for the competitors meeting, the fish fry, and the awards ceremony could possibly be a venue for the spread of the virus.

“On top of that it was a major fundraiser for the volunteers in the OCCA,” explained Diane Grieg, Larry’s wife.

“Diane has been with me from the start of this tourney many years ago and does a lot of work before, during and after the tourney,” explained Larry Grieg. “Diane and I really want to thank all the fisherman that took part in the tourney, along with all our sponsors. Many of which were already willing to help us again this year.

Membership in the UPSFA is $10 for an individual, $15 for a family. To join the UPSFA, contact the groups Secretary Pam Karttunen at 884-4016.