News File Photo Michigan Brown Trout Festival volunteer Jim Lemkie talks with tournament judges during the 2025 Michigan Brown Trout Festival in Alpena.

ALPENA — The Michigan Brown Trout Festival is looking to fill key leadership roles. Mark Hulsey, Michigan Brown Trout Festival Board of Directors member, said without filling these roles, the festival can’t happen.

Hulsey told The News that the festival needs to fill positions for the president of the festival, vice president of the fishing tournaments, and vice president of the festival. He added the vice president of the festival covers the “miscellaneous stuff.”

The Michigan Brown Trout Festival is a well-known tradition in Alpena and around the state.

“This is the largest continuous fishing tournament and festival in Michigan,” Hulsey said. “We’ve tried to build it so there is something for everyone.”

He noted events and activities that the festival has developed over the years such as family day and musical acts.

Hulsey explained that the positions the festival needs to fill are voted on every two years. Current position holders can re-apply.

According to Hulsey, the president and vice president positions “are absolutely critical.” For example, he noted the difficulty of the vice president of fishing tournaments position. Due to the number of tournaments that happen throughout the festival, Hulsey said leadership is “juggling a big bag of responsibility,” to make it all happen.

Hulsey explained that to maintain the festival, they have to try and maintain the leadership positions “from a stability standpoint.” He said that the leadership positions are “the most stable part of the Brown Trout.”

He told The News that he’s been a member of the Board of Directors for 12 to 13 years. During that time, he said last year and this year were the biggest festivals he’s experienced. He stated that the hope of the Board of Directors is to keep growing the festival and continue the tradition.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.