News photo by Josh Jambor Lorraine Beal browses Brown Trout Festival merchandise inside their vendor tent on Tuesday afternoon. The festival rescheduled two fishing tournaments due to unfavorable weather forecasts.

ALPENA – Organizers of the Michigan Brown Trout Festival have rescheduled two major fishing tournaments due to unfavorable weather forecasts, prioritizing angler safety while keeping the popular annual event on track.

Brown Trout Festival President Angela Soltysiak said the Thunder Bay Challenge, originally set for Tuesday, and the Amrize Youth Offshore Tournament, scheduled for today, have both been moved to Friday. The adjustments come as forecasters predict variable conditions across northern Michigan this week.

“The tournament for Tuesday, the Thunder Bay Challenge has been moved to Friday because of the weather. The same applies for the Amrize Youth Offshore Tournament that was scheduled for Wednesday, that will take place on Friday as well,” Soltysiak said.

Strong winds that produce large waves were the primary concern of organizers when they decided to push the two tournaments back a few days.

Festival officials continue to encourage safe boating practices amid the rescheduling. With Lake Huron’s unpredictable waters, decisions on whether to head out remain with the anglers themselves during the ongoing regular competition.

“The regular tournament continues, it’s at the discretion of the anglers if they want to go out and fish or not,” she added.

Soltysiak emphasized the festival’s proactive approach to weather monitoring and safety.

“We monitor the weather all day. If we anticipate that the weather is not going to be great, we try to reschedule or cancel as soon as we can. We want everyone to be safe, obviously rescheduling is not ideal, but we don’t want to send anybody out on the lake when it’s not safe.”

The National Weather Service forecast for Alpena calls for sunny conditions Thursday with a high near 78 degrees and west winds around 5 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear with a low around 59. Friday is expected to be sunny with a high near 81 and a low around 61 Thursday night turning partly cloudy. Saturday should be mostly sunny with a high near 80, followed by a chance of showers after 8pm and a low around 64.

The festival draws anglers from across the state to Alpena for a mix of competitive fishing, live music, food and community festivities along the shores of Lake Huron.

A highlight of the early week came Monday when Scott Wade reeled in “Big Brownie,” a 24-inch, 6-pound brown trout. It marks only the second time in the festival’s history that an angler has caught the tagged prize fish, generating excitement among participants and spectators alike.

The fish also earned Wage a more than $6,000 prize.

The event runs through the end of the week, blending high-stakes fishing with family-friendly activities. Organizers have stressed flexibility in response to weather patterns common to the region this time of year, where summer storms can develop quickly over the Great Lakes.

Soltysiak noted that while changes to the schedule can disrupt plans, the priority remains clear. Anglers and families have rallied around the community-focused event, which also serves as an economic boost for Alpena, with visitors filling marinas, restaurants and local businesses.

As the rescheduled tournaments approach on Friday, officials will continue to monitor the forecast from the National Weather Service. Additional updates on conditions and any further adjustments will be shared through the festival’s official channels.

The Brown Trout Festival has a long tradition of adapting to Michigan’s variable summer weather while celebrating the region’s rich fishing heritage. This year’s adjustments underscore that commitment to safety without diminishing the spirit of competition and camaraderie that defines the gathering.

Soltysiak also announced that the start time for the Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys concert has been changed from 9:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday.