This year, the festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

More than $90,000 in cash and prizes is expected to be presented to winners throughout the festival. Festival President Philip Paquette said in the official festival booklet, “We are thrilled to have you join us for this milestone celebration of fishing, fun, and community spirit.”

Since 1975, the festival has proven to draw in people throughout Michigan and even farther to enjoy the beauty of local waterways and the thrill of the catch.

Tournament rules dictate a start time of 6 a.m. today and the fishing contest will wrap up at 3 p.m. July 28. Weigh stations and scales open at noon and close at 9 p.m. each day.

News File Photo READY FOR THE ACTION — Anticipation is half the fun of a fishing trip. Making sure their gear will be ready, just in case a big one strikes, are from left: Charlie Burgess of Grayling, Bill Gephart of Bay City, and Dan Skiba of Alpena, during the first annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival in Alpena in 1975.

This year, there will be a two-day Super Tournament sponsored by Holcim, with a guaranteed $10,000 first place (based on a 20-boat entry). Also this year, walleye will be excluded from the Ladies Classic Amateur Shoot-Out and Super Tournament catches. However, there will still be a walleye division for largest of the tournament to participate in.

The 2023 winners with the largest fish of each tournament include the following: Brown trout winner Terry McConnel, lake trout winner Emily Gosselin, salmon winner and steelhead winner Jonathan Wieczorkowski, and walleye winner Jackie Oliver.

The fourth annual HPC three-day High Stakes Tournament begins today and continues through Monday. Another fourth-annual event happening this year is the Holcim Youth Offshore Tournament on Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. for ages 12 to 16.

The 11th annual PNC Bank and MBT Kiddie Classic is a part of Family Day on Sunday. Kids ages 1 to 14 can pre-register.

The 10th annual Thunder Bay Bass Classic concluded on the first day of the festival on Friday.

News File Photo ALMOST READY FOR THE PAN — Bill Gephart cleans a batch of brown trout at Warnike’s Yacht Sales marine, while Rosie Jackowiak reluctantly holds the next one to be processed, during the first annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival in Alpena in 1975. Watching is Harmen Tews. Although not all the fish caught during Alpena’s Brown Trout Festival could qualify for the prize money, the did provide the successful anglers with some fine eating.

The 35th annual Bolenz Jewelry/Jack Daniels Country Cocktails Ladies Classic happens on Thursday. Prizes are awarded for the total weight of the 10 heaviest fish. Last year’s winners included first place Marie Mellen, second place Lori Smigelski, and third place Bray Valley.

The 47th annual Holcim two-day Super Tournament is on July 27 and 28. Last year’s winners were first place Jim Vivian, second place Ryan Wieczorkowski, and third place Bowen Wikaryasz.

The Stan Konecke/Dennis Koopikka Memorial Kids Tournament is free to all kids ages 6 to 17 and begins today, wrapping up Friday.

The Besser Amateur Shoot-Out is on Friday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Five heaviest fish will be weighed.

Aside from all the fishing fun, there are plenty of other events to take part in.

News File Photo TALE OF THE TAPE — Weigh-in station worker Al Nichels (left) logs the official weight of a brown trout freshly caught in Thunder Bay, while happy onlookers await the results—including Trout Festival Queen Nancy McHarg, during the first annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival in Alpena in 1975.

Sunday is Brown Trout Family Day from noon to 2:30 p.m. spornsored by PNC Bank at the Big Tent. There will be plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy, including The Home Depot DIY Take Home Kit, emergency vehicles to see and first responders to meet, free school supplies, snacks, and more.

Art on the Bay is celebrating its 47th anniversary this weekend. Today’s hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Within walking distance of the festival, there are plenty of downtown stores to shop and restaurants to check out.

Big Tent events are another hit of the Michigan Brown Trout Festival. A valid ID is required for those events, as some are restricted to those 18 and older and others are for those 21 and older.

Tonight, Billy Gunther and the Midwest Riders play from 7 p.m. to midnight, Sunday there is a Cornhole Tournament, Monday offers a Jim Gill’s Sing-A-Thon at 3 and 6:30 p.m., Wednesday will include a Veteran Tribute at 4:30 p.m. and trivia night from 8 to 10:30 p.m., Friday features Bobby Rigg and the Sensational All-Star Band playing from 8 p.m. to midnight, Jan. 27 will see an L.A. Guns performance with special guests Raggedy Ann and Driving Dawn from 6 p.m. to midnight, July 28 will offer Exchange Club Tony Burgers and Route 66 from noon to 5 p.m., and many other events can be seen throughout the week.

News File Photo SUNRISE ON THUNDER BAY — Fishermen check their gear before starting out for a day of fishing on ThunderBay, silhouetted against the early-morning rays of the sun in this photo taken during the first annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival in Alpena in 1975. In the background is the lighthouse at the mouth of the Thunder Bay River.

Small Tent events are also available for all ages with more musical performances to be seen each day.

Today at the Alpena boat harbor, the Wine and Craft Beer Tasting will be offered under the Alpena Beverage Co. tent from noon to 6 p.m.

“To our participants and guests, I encourage you to take full advantage of all the wonderful activities we have lined up,” Paquette said in the booklet. “Whether you are a seasoned angler or a first-time visitor, I hope you create lasting memories and experience the warmth and hospitality that our community is known for.”

News File Photo ON THE BOARD — Weigh-in times are seen on a chalkboard during the first annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival in Alpena in 1975.