Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Mercer chamber receives $6,000 grant for fish tourney

MERCER, Wis. — The Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce has received a $6,000 grant from the state for its Sept. 2-4 Can-Yak Fishing Tournament and Festival.

The Joint Effort Marketing tourism grant will be presented Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. to the chamber on the lake behind the Great Northern Hotel on U.S. 51.

The event is designed to combine canoes, kayaks and fishing, highlighting the hundreds of opportunities anglers have in Mercer area lakes and flowages.

The tournament begins with a rules briefing for fishermen at 6 p.m. that Friday.

A free fishing and paddling exposition is planned for that Saturday, where the latest manufacturers have to offer will be displayed. Demonstrations and workshops will features experts offering advice and there will be a cardboard Can-Yak contest.

A “celebrity campfire cook-off challenge” is also planned. Sunday will feature and awards banquet for the fishing competition and there will be awards banquet, raffles and drawings.

People who don’t fish in the contest may view the demonstrations.

There will be live music on two occasions during the weekend.

For more information, contact Tina Brunell, Executive Director Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce, 5150N U.S. 51, Mercer, WI, 54547, [email protected], 715-476-2389.