Huntington's Grand Haven Offshore Challenge What's Happening

What's Happening is a place for us to display our current activites or events that we are active with. Be sure to check back here often to receive up to date information about Grand Haven Offshore Challenge events.

Fishing Tournament

Thursday, May 29 - captain's meeting
Friday, May 30 - Women and Kids' and the Steelheaders Big Fish
May 31, June 1- regular tournament

Grand Haven Net Pen Project

The Grand Haven Net Pen Project was begun over 20 years ago.

In the spring the Fisheries Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 'plants' Chinook Salmon fingerlings at selected sites.

The Fisheries Division also works with the Grand Haven and Grand Rapids Steelheaders to rear young Chinook Salmon in net pens. The fish are held in the pens for 3-4 weeks, during that period being fed three times a day by volunteers. When the fish smolt and lose their parr marks (vertical bars) they are released into the Grand River for their journey to Lake Michigan.

Net Pen Project According to DNR data, fish raised in net pens have a higher survival rate then those released directly into the river. Net pen rearing also enables the fish to imprint on the river they are released into, increasing their chance of returning to the river in three years.

The Grand Haven Steelheaders would like to thank the Grand Rapids Steelheaders, the Grand Haven Charter Boat Association, the Grand Haven OffShore Challenge, the Michigan DNR and the City of Grand Haven for their generous donations to this project. Many local businesses have assisted us with donations of materials and labor. Many of our members and nonmembers have put in hours of labor for our project.

The Grand Haven Offshore Challenge contributes yearly to the net pen fund held by the Grand Haven Steelheaders. This fund is used to cover all costs for the net pen project. This year the Offshore Challenge also helped fund the cost of the interpretive sign which helps explain the rearing process and the use and value of net pens.

Jingle Bells Parade

The Grand Haven Offshore Challenge teamed up with the Grand Haven Fall Salmon Festival and Toledo Beach West to have a float in the 2005 Grand Haven Jingle Bell's Parade.

Jingle Bells Parade Float

A little winter poem to keep you in good spirits when waiting for the fishing season to begin:

- Winter Fishing -

With snow, the landscape gleams
No end to winter, it seems
My boat is in dry dock
I try to hurry the clock
But I only catch fish in my dreams

- by Barbara Hays, wife of the late George Hays