This July the St. Marys Walleye Club will be saluting military service people by offering a free day of fishing along with a fish fry.

The second annual St. Marys Walleye Club Veterans Fishing Day is scheduled for Saturday, July 23 from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Any United States veteran and active military personnel will be able to fish with a club member beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Conley Point Boat Launch on South Scenic Drive in Barbeau. Participants are asked to arrive no later than 7 a.m.

“It’s great to have so many our local anglers donate their time and equipment to support our Veterans,” said the event’s committee chair Samantha Marzean. “We are very excited to bring this free event back to the community for the first time since 2019.”

The St. Marys Walleye Club will provide all the tackle, bait, and appropriate safety gear for participating veterans.

Fishing gear, a boat, bait, and a t-shirt will be supplied for veterans. The only thing they will need to bring is a Michigan Fishing License, appropriate clothing for the weather and snacks and drinks.

Following the special fishing day, club members will clean the day’s catch and have a fish fry that veterans and their friends and families are invited to attend. The fish fry will take place outside the Cozy in Barbeau underneath a tent provided by Ron and Sara Gordon. Afterwards an awards presentation will follow also at the Cozy.

Veterans are asked to sign up no later than Sunday, July 10 to reserve their spot. In order to register, veterans are asked to visit www.stmaryswalleyeclub.com/veterans-fishing-day.

For more information and help registering please contact the Veterans Fishing Day committee by emailing smwcvetsfishingday@gmail.com or calling committee chair Samantha Marzean at (906) 630-0129.

Participants are reminded the event will take place even if it rains. However, in case of a thunderstorm a makeup date is set for Sunday, July 24.

The St. Marys Walleye Club formed in February 2018. The club promotes a friendly walleye tour atmosphere and has over 200 members.