Trolling With the Troops is an annual event that takes place each June. Captains and Veterans spend a day on the water enjoying fishing, a boat parade, and a big fish contest.
Captains and Veterans sign-up for the event at: trollingwiththetroops.com
Itinerary:
June 23rd, 6:00 PM – A Thank You Dinner for Veterans and Captains will be held at the Stevensville American Legion, located at 3093 Johnson Rd, Stevensville, MI 49127, beginning at approximately 6:00 PM.
Past events have included a fish fry, raffle/door prizes, appreciation messages from local officials, guest speakers, live entertainment, and cash bar. This year’s event activities are still being finalized, but please plan on attending for no less than two hours. Also, this event is only for the veterans and captains / first mates, family members are not permitted to attend due to building capacity constraints.
On June 24th, Captains meet their assigned Veterans at the designated dock/boat launch location on the St. Joseph River throughout Benton Harbor and St. Joseph Michigan. Veterans should arrive at 5:30 AM and depart between the St. Joseph Michigan pier heads onto Lake Michigan to begin fishing no later than 6:00 AM.
After fishing, all boats will be required to stage prior to 1:00 PM for a ceremonial boat parade back through the pier heads accompanied by the the US Coast Guard. The Stevensville American Legion, local fire departments, and many other passerby’s will be welcoming in the parade from the piers.
Following the boat parade, you will stop to weigh your fish for the big fish contest, return to your dock / launch location, and clean/distribute any fish to the veterans.
This will end the event at approximately 3:00 PM.
Winter Challenge