WHITEHALL — A total of 160 children ages 3-16 participated in Saturday’s kids fishing contest, hosted at Goodrich Park by the White Lake Area Sportfishing Association.
The WLASA was founded in 1982, and the kids fishing tournament has been held annually almost as long. Back then, the association expected, and was satisfied, with a routine dozen participants every year, but 2014 saw remarkable community interest in the event, with participation reaching its peak at 218 children. The numbers have remained consistent ever since, save for a brief hiatus in 2020 during the pandemic.
The goal of the tournament, as explained by WLASA president Don Ingalls, is to instill a love of fishing in younger generations and inspire them to play outside - interacting with nature instead of technology. For Ingalls, “fishing is a lifelong activity; you plant the seeds early and that child is set for life.”
There are six brackets children compete in, separated by gender and age groups: 3-6, 7-10, and 11-16. Each participant has from 7 a.m. to noon to catch as many fish as they please, but must choose one with which to compete at weigh-in. The biggest fish wins.
WLASA is not stingy with their awards. In each of the six groups, 10 places are awarded, meaning almost a third of the competing children Saturday placed in their respective categories. All of the 60 children that place go home with a medal and new fishing rod, and all participants receive a goody bag of bait and a certificate detailing the type of fish they caught and its weight.
Most children have no difficulties catching a fish, Ingalls explains, since during this time of year, fish swarm the east end of White Lake. The types of fish typically caught run a wide gamut, from 20-gram gobbies, to moderately-sized bluegills and sunfish, with bass and dogfish on the larger end. The tournament takes place on the DNR’s free fishing weekend, so there’s no worry of procuring fishing licenses, meaning the shores of Goodrich Park to the Thompson Street bridge are packed with a crowd of all ages and experience levels enjoying the sport and early June weather.
Many of the tournament’s participants were eager to show off their catches and share their fishing experience. While this was Henry’s second year participating in the tournament - he competed in the 11-16 age bracket - he has been fishing since he was little and was taught by his grandpa. He excitedly jumped between the rocks on Goodrich Park’s shoreline, pointing out different fish he could see hovering close to the surface to his friends, and posed with his bowfin (dogfish) catch, which ended up weighing 1,204 grams. On Henry’s right, Madeline was patiently waiting with her line in the water for a fish, and on the left, Jordan had already caught two rock bass. Madeline and Jordan were also competing in their respective 11-16 categories.
Among the tall reeds closer to the Thompson St. bridge, Hayden, Lillyana, and Maya (ages 11, 7, and 4) were fishing with the assistance of their father, who shared he’d recently gotten into fishing in the past year and subsequently inspired his children. Lillyana and Maya had already caught a sunfish and bluegill, and Hayden hooked a sizable bass during the brief interview.
Closer to the municipal marina, Alana, age 15, had already caught a rock bass. Alana has been competing in the tournament since 2014 with her two older siblings, who have since aged out of the competition. Her mother was proud to share how, since 2014, at least one of her children has placed in the competition every year. Alana, unsurprisingly given her family’s track record, received first place in the girls 11-16 category.
In Benji’s (age 4) first year competing, he placed as well and showed off his haul. When asked what he caught, he answered, “three big fish, and one tiny fish.”
For brothers Cyrus and Jethro, it was their second competition, and they were joined by their cousins Abby, Rylee, and Ellie. For the sisters, this was their first year in the competition, and Ellie’s second time fishing. Abby and Ellie placed in the 11-16 category, Rylee in the girls 3-6, and Cyrus in the boys 3-6.
Once weigh-in concluded at noon, participants and their families were served pizza and refreshments at the covered pavilion, waiting for the final rankings to be announced. The WLASA also took some time to explain the group’s mission and the work they do. The mission is, much like their members, without frills and to the point: “Improve the quality of fishing in White Lake.”
White Lake and its ongoing conservation efforts are of utmost importance to the group, especially considering the lake’s polluted past. One particular reason for their efforts is to replenish the walleye population in White Lake, a fish known for their fickleness over habitat. To date, the WLASA, partnering with the Michigan DNR, have released 450,000 walleye fry into area lakes and rivers. White Lake received 200,000 fry last year, to much apparent success.
Similarly successful was the conclusion of 2025’s kid’s fishing contest, with 60 children in total receiving shiny medals for their efforts and new fishing poles. With new equipment and encouragement from their elders, the participants Saturday will most certainly continue their new outdoor adventures and undoubtedly be back to compete in following years.
