The next AOTY Outing will be held in Port Austin on Sat., July 18, 2026.
The walleye fishing should be in full swing here and it’s potentially a relatively easy one day trip.
You can start fishing at 7:00 am.
You must pull lines by 1:00 pm.
Coolers MUST BE IN LINE BY 2:00 pm.
Weigh-In and Lunch will be at Gallup Park Pavillion
about ½ mile west of the DNR Boat Launch.
To enter simply TEXT me, Bob Ksionzek at (586)531-9198 by 6:00 pm. Thursday July 16, 2026 so we can get a finalized count for lunch. For boat entry: Include the captain’s name and phone number first, followed by all other anglers' names (first and last) on board.
Entry fee is $15.00 per person, which includes lunch. Big fish pool is an additional $10.00. You may opt out of big fish if you choose but everyone on board will either be IN or opt OUT.
Let me know in your entry text if you are opting out or you will be considered IN and required to pay the big fish pool fee.
This is an individual event for AOTY (Angler Of The Year).
YOU MUST KEEP EACH PERSON'S FISH SEPERATE AND IDENTIFIED.
DNR minimum size rule for this area is 13”. (MH-4 See 2025 Michigan Fishing Regulations). The limit is 8 fish per person, but we will count your best 5 fish by weight plus 5 points per fish.
Any ties will be determined by length of fish.
Most fishing at this time of the year is around the reefs 3 - 4 miles west of Port Austin in 25-40 FOW. Look at your charts
on your graphs and get familiar with this area.
Depths can change suddenly close to the reefs, so BE AWARE.
There can also be some good fishing due north of the harbor around the reef near the Lighthouse. CAUTION: If you are not familiar with this area, NEVER go between the Lighthouse and land. There is some very shallow water here and a hard rocky bottom. Very Dangerous for most boats.
Techniques include using crawler harnesses off down riggers 15’-25’ down, or off 3 and 4 colors of lead core behind in-line planers
or using 2 & 3 oz bottom bouncers behind in-line planers.
Hot n’ Tots and other body baits can work as well.
Hope we see you there and GOOD FISHIN’