Page 38 - 2013 Lake St. Clair Guide

witdhistcShopiusrinantdgs

Lake St. Clair Direct Deep Water Access

200 Boat Wells up to 50' 3-Story Lake View
and Jet Ski Pads Club House with:
Banquet Room with
Pump Out, Dock Boxes,
Electric, and Water Full Kitchen
Fitness Center with Sauna
Heated Pool with Children's Pool
BBQ and Picnic Area Showers and Laundry
Telephone & Cable Billiards/Game Room
Gated Security
Conference Rooms

Main Office: (586)726-2000 - Marina: (586)460-BOAT

www37.H500aJerfbfe—rsoTornar,nCsHieanlrturiDsoobcnkaTNgoew—onshript,hMIMarina.coMBmeeatrcoh
email:Harborclubnorthmarina@sterling-developers.com

Pickerel Tournament ing enough food for four meals along with 1946 Was the first year a boat was
Christmas cookies and fruit. given away that was already built ...and it
& Waterfront Festival
Leader Dogs is their number one char- was a Chris Craft Deluxe. First year for
Celebrates 75 Years! ity and to date the Lions have donated the Pickerel Tournament Queen. Algonac
In the 1920’s & 30’s, the Village of Algo- approximately $400,000. In the United Lions Club bought property to build an
nac was well known for power boat racing, States there are 4561 Lions Clubs and the athletic field. 3,800 fishermen entered the
being the home of the Chris Craft boat fac- Algonac Lions are in the top 20 Clubs in fishing tournament
tory, and would hold events on the fourth of contributions every year! 1948 First time there was a whop-

July weekend on the riverfront. $1000 Prize winner! per prize with $100. 45,000 attended the
Pickerel Tournament.
But, Algonac wanted to bring more peo-
1950 Pickerel Tournament was
ple into the town. Being located on the
on television on the Pat & Johnny Show on
St. Clair River, Pickerel / Walleye were a
WXYZ Detroit. Governor G. Mennen Wil-
natural resource and would come down the
liams attended the Pickerel Tournament and
river in June and July. In April 1939 a town
crowned the Pickerel Tournament Queen.
meeting was held and over 50 businessmen
Mid 50’s Lions had a gambling
attended the meeting. After that meeting
tent with slot machines. The gambling
the Pickerel Tournament was born.
commission tried to shut it down but were
The Village of Algonac ran the Pickerel
unsuccessful. Algonac Lions bought some
Tournament in 1939 and 1940. Then, one
additional property for the athletic field.
year after the Algonac “Lions Club” was
Algonac Lions break ground for a new
chartered, the Lions took over this event
$50,000 swimming pool which took five
and have been running it since 1941. Charles Williams with his 30" years to complete.
The Algonac Lions support many chari- 6.5# Pickerel (Walleye) in 2012 1978 Governor William Milliken
ties including Hospice,
Goodfellows, Children The size of the largest whopper ever attended the Pickerel Tournament.
caught was 11# 5oz. in 1973 1970 - 1980 Grand prize for the
in Distress, Leader Dogs
boat raffle was a 26’ Sea Ray. Algonac Li-
For the Blind, Bear Lake History of the Pickerel ons membership was over 100 strong.
Camp, Michigan Eye Tournament and the Lions 1985 DNR tagged a fish for the
Bank, Shriners, Ameri-
fishing tournament and the grand prize, if
can Cancer Society, Club over 75 years.... caught, was a new truck, boat, motor, &
Arthritis Foundation, trailer valued at $15,000. Boat raffle ticket
Michigan All State Band, The first couple of years there was a Pick- price increases to $1 each instead of 3 for $1.
and locally the F.O.E. Rotary Club, Clay & erel King and Howard Buck Cole was the 1990’s Huge storm blows down
Algonac Police & Fire Depts., Backpack first King. The fishing contest was free to game tents. Algonac Lions give the City
Food Program for School Kids, Algonac & enter with your registration. Fishing prizes of Algonac Lions Clubhouse for a commu-
Clay Twp. Libraries, Algonac Food Pantry, were given away daily with $25 for largest nity building in return for free rent for 20
Algonac Sports Boosters, Algonac His- catch of the day. The boat they gave away years.
torical Society, and Algonac High School in the boat raffle was a Chris Craft boat kit 2011 - 2012 Lions Club pur-
receives five $1000.00 scholarships every and you had to build the boat yourself. chases a new Clubhouse. In 2012 the club
year. 1941 Governor Van Wagner at- had an inaugural dinner and 45 members
Also at Christmas, 225 gift baskets are tended the Pickerel Tournament and over attended with a combined 852 years of ser-
delivered to senior citizens and anyone in 1,500 fishermen entered the fishing con- vice. Continued on page 41
need for the Holidays with each contain- test.

Page 38 The author, publisher, or seller assumes no liability with respect to the use of information contained herein.