The 2019 Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital Lake Trout Classic begins on Friday, May 17. From 6 a.m.-2 p.m., Keweenaw Chevrolet will sponsor the “pre-tournament.” Also during that time, Moonshine Lures will hold the Ladies Powder Puff Tourney, with the winning gal taking home $200.00.

The Lake Trout Classic, presented by Greig’s Taxidermy will begin at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday and run until 3 p.m. The final day of the tourney, Sunday, May 19, will run from 5:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

As a part of the popular Lake Trout Classic weekend in Ontonagon, the Upper Peninsula Sport Fisherman’s Association will have a fish fry benefit dinner for the Ontonagon County Cancer Association. The fish fry will be on Saturday, May 18, from 6-8 p.m., at the Ontonagon VFW.

“For only $10.00, those 18 and older get fish with all the fixings. Dessert is sponsored by the Ontonagon County Cancer Association,” Larry Greig said. “Kids eat free.”

The Awards Presentation will start at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the pavilion, which was built by the Upper Peninsula Sport Fisherman’s Association. Top prize for the tournament is $1200, second place is $600, third place is $400.

“We pay all the way down to 8th place,” said Greig.

Greig is responsible for starting the Lake Trout Classic, an event that draws fisherman from throughout the Midwest. The event is used as a boost to the area’s fishing tourism economy, according to different local business-people.

“One hundred percent of the proceeds all go benefit the Ontonagon County Cancer Association,” Greig said.

The tournament also has different categories where participants can win $200 with the largest fish. This includes Lake Trout, including the largest lake trout caught by a woman. Coho salmon, brown trout, chinook salmon, and steelhead.

“$50 goes to second place in all those categories,” Greig said.

It is all our sponsors that have helped to make this tournament such a success,” said Greig. “Sponsors in addition to the title sponsor, Aspirus Ontonagon, including Copper Country Ford, Ontonagon County Telephone Company, Shamrock Bar, Coca Cola of Hancock, UP Sport Fisherman’s Association, Pat’s Motorsports, Keweenaw Chevrolet, Lake Shore Systems, and Greig’s Taxidermy.”

The entry fee is $25.00 per person. Registration forms are due by May 15. Call Larry Greig at 906-884-2770, or email him at larry@greigstackleshop.com. For more information, you can also go to the website, www.greigstackleshop.com.

“Over the years, the tournament has raised a lot of money for the Ontonagon County Cancer Association,” Greig said. “Plus it has brought a lot of people to our area, where fishing is a major part of our Tourism economy,” concluded Greig.

The tournament is just one of the many projects done by the volunteers of the UP Sport Fisherman’s Association each year.