Northern Lakes Walleye Club

                             May 2011 Newsletter

Our first tournament is May 14 on Saginaw Bay launching out of the DNR launch at the mouth of the Saginaw River from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Again, the board would like to stress that teams arrive early by 6:00 am to get registered and in the water as we are anticipating traffic at the launch and in the parking lot.  Just to clear up any confusion, please note that this is not Veteran’s Park, which is an hour upstream from where we are launching.  If you have any questions, please contact a board member.

Here are some other points regarding the tournament:

Monitor channel 68.  There are no boundaries for this event.  All of Saginaw Bay as well as the rivers are open to competition.

Double check all your safety equipment, as we will be on Great Lakes waters.  This would be a good time to check those flares for expiration.  Saginaw Bay can get rough quickly especially with an East wind.  Teams need to be prepared to retreat to the Saginaw River should conditions warrant or as instructed by the board.  

Frank’s and the 333 Tournament Trail are having a tournament this weekend with a 7:00 am shotgun start out of Linwood.  They are under a radio silence.  You cannot fish in both tournaments on Saturday, but are welcome to fish with that group on Sunday.

Near the mouth of the Saginaw River near the Edison plant canal and docking area is a restricted zone consistent with the Homeland Security Act.  If you get within 100 yards of this area they will come on speaker and warn you.  The Coast Guard patrols this area.  Teams are discouraged from going close to this area and are expected to immediately and fully comply with any directions from the plant or the Coast Guard. 

Directions: 

If you are coming from north or I-75, get off at Wilder Rd exit #164; head east

Go past Bay City Mall and through light at State St.  Continue East to next light Bangor Rd where there is a 7-11; go through this light and continue east to next light; turn left at light to Patterson Rd.  Once you've made the turn you will go 100' and make an immediate left onto Patterson Rd.
Take that 3-4 miles north to stop sign.  "Qwik" Party store on right.
Turn right on Shady Shore Rd. and follow, curves a bit; road dead ends into Bay City Yacht Club on left; DNR boat launch on right.

Go can get a map and launch site information here:

http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/MRBIS/matchcounty.asp?cnty=9

Be sure to click on SAGINAW RIVER MOUTH

John McDonald, President

Scott Landon, Secretary

www.northernlakeswalleyeclub.activeboard.com