Anglers & Bow Hunters Answer the Call to Help Clean Grand Lake St. Marys
We asked folks to help “Get the Carp Outta Here” and boy did they ever!!
The first annual LRC carp tournament on Grand Lake St. Marys is being deemed a big success by tournament organizers. The Lake Restoration Commission organized the event to help reduce the rough fish population while at the same time bring visitors back to enjoy Grand Lake St. Marys. LRC Chairman Tom Knapke said he would never have predicted that nearly 300 people would heed the call and that by bow and by bait they would take 8,142 pounds of carp out of the lake in just 48 hours.
Knapke said the success of the event is due to the wonderful volunteers who manned the weigh in stations all weekend and most certainly to the many generous prize donors. He said they want to especially thank the Celina Eagles, Mad Scientist and Associates and the Celina Moose Lodge for their generous contributions. He added we also certainly have to thank all the participants who came out and helped reduce the number of rough fish in the lake.
Participants came from three states and from all over Ohio. Wesley McDowell of Huber Heights, Ohio, brought in the big fish at 20.6 pounds. Bobby Early of Grove Hill, Ohio, brought in the most at 566.6 pounds. Knapke said they received many positive comments about the event and also about the efforts to clean Grand Lake St. Marys. He said we feel it has been a great success and we are planning for it to become an annual event.
If you have any questions or would like more information please call Auglaize & Mercer County Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Donna Grube @ 419-394-1294.
Wesley McDowell and his 20.6 lb “Monster Carp”
