ALGOMA, WI (WTAQ) – Thousands of anglers are taking to the waters of Lake Michigan this week, looking for that prize-winning salmon.
Door and Kewaunee County make up the boundaries for the tournament, and all that activity along the Lakeshore brings a boost to the local economy.
Howard Heinonen has been fishing the Kewaunee/Door County Salmon Tournament for years.
“It seems like the fish are bigger. Normally we come here, we average 14-15 pounds. Now, there seems to be quite a few 20 pounders being caught”
The Kewaunee/Door County Tournament covers five different ports including Algoma, where fire damaged boats in the marina about a month ago.
Kevin Naze is Kewaunee/Door County Salmon Tournament Coordinator.
“Everything’s come back to normal again. Even when the marina was closed for three days, we do have an upriver launch at Olson Park where any boat 20 feet and under could launch”
Naze says over the course of the nine days, about 3,000 fishermen could contribute about $1 million to the area ecomony.
“You got to buy your new baits, you got to buy your gas. You got to have lodging, you got to support the bars and restaurants, and coffee shops, and gift shops. Everybody spends hundreds of dollars. You can do the math, it’s a lot of money”
The 34th annual Kewaunee Door County Salmon tournament runs through next Sunday.
The total in cash and prizes adds up to more than $50,000.
