Contest runs from January 2026 through March 15, 2026 in Roscommon County for Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake, and Lake St. Helen
· Biggest fish from each of the following species (across all three lakes/bait shops) at the end of the contest period wins a prize: T-shirt & special award to be provided.
1. Pike
2. Walleye
3. Perch
4. Rainbow Trout
5. Blue Gill
6. Crappie
7. Lake Trout
· Fish must be taken to one of the following bait shops to be verified. A form must be filled out and a picture taken of the fish and angler.
1. Lyman’s on the Lake, Houghton Lake
2. The Sports Barn, Higgins Lake
3. The Minnow Bucket at Exit 222, Lake St. Helen
· Overall Contest winner, will be the fish with most points over Master Angler Size for that species across all submissions (all lakes/all bait shops).
The overall award winner receives Fisherman’s Digest live show taping event and a custom-made fishing rod.
COMPLETE RULES
1. Have fun with family and friends while fishing our beautiful lakes in Roscommon County!
2. Open to all ages!
3. There is no entry fee.
4. State of Michigan Fishing rules will apply.
5. Fish Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake or Lake St. Helen from January 1st 2026 through MARCH 15th, 2026. Catch any of the specified fish listed below in any of the three lakes and take it to one of the designated bait shops to be measured and verified.
• Pike
• Walleye
• Perch
• Rainbow Trout
• Blue Gill
• Crappie
• Lake Trout
6. A verification form must be filled out and signed to be eligible for any prize The fish must be measured and verified by one of the bait shops listed below;
· Lyman’s on the Lake (Houghton Lake)
· The Minnow Bucket at Exit 222 (Lake St. Helen)
· The Sports Barn (Higgins Lake)
7. You must take a picture of you and your fish and text it to 989-965-1471 (Alma Lou Crossley at Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau). The picture can also be taken by the bait shop and provided to the Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau Office. You will be notified at the end of the CONTEST PERIOD if your fish WAS THE SPECIES WINNER.
8. The Overall Contest winner, will be the fish with most points over Master Angler Size for that species across all submissions (all lakes/all bait shops).
· For Example, a Master Angler Bluegill must be at least 10" to qualify and a Northern Pike must be at least 36". Therefore, if a person brings in an 11 1/2" Bluegill and another angler enters a 37" Pike, the Bluegill would win. (11 1/2 - 10" = + 1 1/2" over master angler bluegill vs 37"-36" = +1" over master angler Pike.
9. The overall award winner receives Fisherman’s Digest live show taping event and a custom-made fishing rod.
10. All decisions relating to the fishing contest by the Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau will be final.
11. Anyone disobeying the rules will be disqualified.
12. All contest rules are subject to modification or revision by the Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau.
13. All prize winners will be contacted directly by phone/email (by the information they provided on their verification form) by the Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau once their personalized gift is complete and ready to be delivered. For questions on status please call the office at 1-800-676-5330.
