Romeo Bourdage, one of the tournament organizers, shared the inspiration behind the event.

“Dave was a local business owner, running Union 76, and was known for his stellar service and even better customer service,” Bourdage said. “He was one of the best people I knew and would do anything for anyone. He was a leading independent service center in town. Dave was a downstater who vacationed on Hubbard Lake as a child and later moved to the Alpena area to work and establish the business with Peter Petalia, who tragically passed away in a motorcycle accident. Pete later became our state representative after retiring from the business.

“Dave had a cottage on Hubbard Lake for years, and it became a gathering place for so many during the ice fishing season,” he continued “He was there nearly every weekend and had an open-door policy — he literally left it unlocked.”

Bourdage, who had previously organized a Thunder Bay Walleye Club tournament, saw an opportunity to honor Hillert’s legacy.

Courtesy Photo Erica Digue holds a plaque for the largest walleye at the Dave Hillert Hubbard Lake Classic Ice Fishing Tournament. Digue tied with Ryan Gambs, each had a 24-inch fish.

“I started an annual fishing tournament over 25 years ago, and Dave and his crew fished it every year,” Bourdage said. “We had around 100-200 participants back then. It was a simple, winner-takes-all event. When Dave passed, I asked his wife, Debbie, if I could rename the tournament in his honor, and she agreed. TJ Hoes and I put together a Board of Directors, established an LLC, and here we are today with year three complete and our biggest turnout yet.”

Hillert passed away after a battle with lung cancer, and the tournament’s fundraising efforts reflect his appreciation for Friends Together, a group that supported him during his fight.

“Friends Together was an important part of his battle, and he treasured all that they did for him,” Bourdage said. “We chose this charity because of the work they do for cancer patients and their families. The tournament ensures that others in our community get financial and physical support when undergoing treatment and recovery.”

In the walleye division, Erica Digue and Ryan Gumbs tied for first place with 24-inch catches, while Andrew Grusnick was the runner-up with a 23 ¾-inch walleye. Kevin Miller (23 ½ inches) and Wyatt Terekelski (23 1/8 inches) rounded out the top five.

The perch division saw Devin Matthews claim first place with a 15 3/8-inch fish, followed by Travis Kowalsky (14 ½ inches) and Nicholas Ringler (14 inches). Other notable catches included Jared Kowalsky, DJ Hepner, and Easton Schultz, who all landed fish measuring between 13 and 13 ½ inches.

Courtesy Photo Debbie Hillert thanks sponsors and participants at the Dave Hillert Hubbard Lake Classic Ice Fishing Tournament.

“A 24-inch walleye is a great fish for Hubbard Lake,” Bourdage said. “Two weeks ago, Corey Chabot caught a 28-inch walleye, which is phenomenal and would have easily sealed that category. Hubbard is also known for producing great perch, and this year did not disappoint with a 15 3/8-inch fish, which was outstanding — likely one that could be mounted.”

The payout for the tournament totaled $14,000, covered entirely by business sponsorships. The winners received $5,000 for first place, $1,000 for second, $500 for third, and $250 each for fourth and fifth.

In addition to the fishing competition, the 50/50 raffle raised $2,048, and numerous items were donated for prizes, including a Bay View Shores Resort weekend stay, a Carlson Wildlife Art Print, ChabotShack items, and Frank’s Great Outdoors gift cards. Lori and Paul Stephen of Real Estate One also hosted a “booze sled” raffle, another major fundraiser benefiting Friends Together.

“This year, we were able to give back $13,000 in Dave’s memory. It’s incredible to do this for the community and to carry on his legacy,” Bourdage said. “We hope to grow every year, and this year set the bar pretty high.”

The 2026 Dave Hillert Hubbard Lake Classic is scheduled for Feb. 14. Organizers encourage businesses and individuals to get involved through sponsorships or donations.

Courtesy Photo Devin Matthews holds a plaque for winning the perch category at the Dave Hillert Hubbard Lake Classic Ice Fishing Tournament. His perch was 15 3/8 inches.

“All the tournament details can be found on our Facebook page,” Bourdage said. “Anyone interested in supporting the event can reach out to me, TJ Hoes, Dave Zeller, Spencer Dahl, or Steve LaPlaunt. We welcome additional support in any way.”