The Northeast Michigan visit was the competition’s fourth stop before it continues to the championship at Burt/Mullet Lake in September.

In first place were Saginaw Bay fishermen Ken Rice, Austin Tomasek, and Tripp Rice. Coming in second were Rob DiMatio, Mark DiMatio, and Dustin Neubecker.

One Northeast Michigan team placed in the top 10, which included Bob and Brant Holcomb and Romeo Bourdage. That team placed ninth.

Local businesses all pitched in to help sponsor the tour.

Courtesy Photo Northeast Michigan team Bob Holcomb, Romeo Bourdage, and Brant Holcomb pose with their ninth-place trophy at the Alpena stop of the Michigan Walleye Tour. They were the only local team to place in the top 10.

“When the Alpena community businesses are approached to help our community shine, they never fail to step up,” Bordage, who also is Alpena High School principal, said. “As a leader in the community, it makes me proud of the commitment that our business leaders have to make Alpena shine.”

Alpena-area sponsors included Alpena Beverage, State Farm, Prudential Financial, Meijer, Edward Jones, Dean Arbour Ford, the Sand Bar and Grill, Cliff Anschuetz Chevrolet, D’s Honda Sales and Service, McInerney Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Nowicki’s Sausage Shoppe.

Meijer also hosted a Meet the Pros event before the tournament, at which kids and adults climbed into the boats, talked to tournament participants, and saw their equipment. Prizes such as fishing poles, hats, baits, and more were awarded to some of the kids who attended.

“This opportunity for Alpena is huge,” Bourdage said. “The money that it brings in exceeds $340,000 of economic impact. Alpena, our fishing industry here, is a phenomenal thing.”

The Master Walleye Circuit is also coming to Alpena on Sept. 26 to 28. The National Walleye Tour also recently announced its 2025 tournament schedule, with Alpena hosting its third stop on the trail. More than 100 of the top pros in the country will fish in the local waters of Lake Huron.

Courtesy Photo Saginaw Bay fishermen Ken Rice, Austin Tomasek, and Trip Rice pose with their first-place trophy at the Alpena stop of the Michigan Walleye Tour.

Courtesy Photo Rob DiMatio, Mark DiMatio, and Dustin Neubecker pose with their second-place trophy at the Alpena stop of the Michigan Walleye Tour.

Courtesy Photo Walleye Tour boats fill the harbor in Alpena.

Courtesy Photo People participate in the Meijer-hosted event Meet the Pros on the day before the Michigan Walleye Tour. Kids and adults climbed into the boats, talked to tournament participants, and saw their equipment.

Courtesy Photo People participate in the Meijer-hosted event Meet the Pros on the day before the Michigan Walleye Tour. Kids and adults climbed into the boats, talked to tournament participants, and saw their equipment.

Courtesy Photo People participate in the Meijer-hosted event Meet the Pros on the day before the Michigan Walleye Tour. Kids and adults climbed into the boats, talked to tournament participants, and saw their equipment.