Michigan's Trout Season begins on Saturday, April 30 this year. Kalkaska has celebrated that opening for the last 80 years and present the first Festival of the year in Northern Michigan. This Annual National Trout Festival will run from Wednesday April 27 to Sunday May 1. In 1935, the National Trout Festival made its first debut with two days of festivities held on April 30 and May 1. Forty floats made up the parade on the first day. The trout King was crowned in the bandstand where evergreen boughs were arranged. The recently departed author Jim Harrison spent time in Kalkaska Trout Fishing and I am sure tipping a few at the Hotel Kalkaska. He even wrote about us in his book, Just Before Dark.
The Village of Kalkaska sits on the banks of the Boardman River and is home to two additional rivers, the Manistee River and the Rapid River. The schools are closed for Trout Friday and the whole town celebrates all things Trout. The most infamous Trout is of course the statue that sits prominently on U.S. 131 in the center of town. The link above will take you to the schedule of events for the week. It is a great family affair featuring kids trout fishing, carnival, kids parade, Grand Royale Parade, Classic Car Show and the Wood Memorial fun run, 5K and 10K runs. Last but not least, if you are a fly fisherman, come for a visit and tour our beautiful streams and rivers. You will not be disappointed.
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