Travel Planner

“Catch Us If You Can”
Episode #2204 Travel planner
Tom has been emceeing the Houghton Lake Area fishing contest called Catch Us If You Can for the last 19 years. April 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the contest with Tom hosting the drawing to pick the winners. We thought we would look back at the highlights from those years.
Catch Us If You Can Fishing Contest

Location: Roscommon County, Michigan
When: March 16, 2024 - March 15, 2025
Entry Fee: None
For two decades, the 'Catch Us If You Can' fishing contest has drawn anglers from near and far to the waters of Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake and Lake St. Helen. What started as a small local event has grown into a incredible tradition, bringing together fishing enthusiasts, businesses, and the community for a thrilling annual challenge.
Big Wally XIV and more than 200 of his closest friends (bluegill, pike, bass, crappie or perch) have been released into Michigan’s Other Great Lakes™. The contest is open to adults holding a current Michigan Fishing License and anglers under 17.
Enjoy fishing on Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake or Lake St. Helen on open water or the ice. If you are lucky enough to catch tagged fish, adult anglers become eligible to win $100,000.00 in cash, $50,000 towards a new Truck from Don Nester’s Auto Group and a brand new Lund Boat package from Spicer’s Boat City as well as other prizes. All anglers catching a tagged fish receive a $50 gas card.
- Catch Us If You Can [Visit Houghton Lake]
- Contest Poster [Visit Houghton Lake]
- Contest Information [Visit Houghton Lake]
Tagged Fish Winners

Location: Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake or Lake Saint Helen
If you happen to catch Big Wally - the tagged walleye or any of the hundreds of other yellow tagged fish - Take your catch to Lyman’s on the Lake; or Korbinski’s Marine in Houghton Lake. On Lake St. Helen, take your catch to The Minnow Bucket at Exit 222 or Trails End; and on Higgins Lake to The Sports Barn, for verification and your $50 gas card, and to be entered in the final prize drawing.
- Catch Us If You Can [Visit Houghton Lake]
Spicer's Boat City

Location: 4165 W Houghton Lake Drive, Houghton Lake, Michigan
Phone: (989) 366-8400
Spicer's Boat City is a long-time sponsor of the Catch Us If You Can contest and host of the annual prize drawing event. Spicer's Boat City, located in Houghton Lake, Michigan is your one-stop shop for the new or pre-owned boat or vehicle you're looking for! We carry a large assortment of accessories, apparel, parts, and more! We also provide in-house financing, service and maintenance.
Fishing

LAKE ST HELEN
Size: 2,400 Acres
Boating Access Site: Lat: 44.357654, Long: -84.492313 A hard-surface ramp with sufficient water depth and lake or impoundment size to accommodate all trailerable watercraft (minimum of 2.5 - 3 feet deep at a distance of 20 feet from shore). The site is signed.
HIGGINS LAKE
Lake Size: 9,900 Acres
South Higgins Lake State Park
Location: 106 State Park Drive - Roscommon, MI 48653
Phone: (989) 821-6374
Park Size: 1000 Acres
HOUGHTON LAKE
Location: 44°20′20″N 84°43′30″W
Size: 20,044 Acres
In Roscommon County you will find great fishing on all three of our county lakes (Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake & Lake St. Helen). Fishing abounds for a variety of species including; Lake Trout, Perch, Crappie, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill and more.
- Fishing [Visit Houghton Lake]
Contest Sponsors

ARNIES'S ARTS & CRAFTS
3741 W Houghton Lake Drive - Houghton Lake | (989) 366-8794
ART-Y-FACTS
708 Lake Street #441 - Roscommon | (989) 808-5117
BART'S FRUIT MARKET
431 W Houghton Lake Drive - Prudenville | (989) 366-8038
R&J'S BEST CHOICE MARKETPLACE
8982 Old US Highway 27 - Houghton Lake | (989) 422-2312
HORIZON BANK
7409 W Houghton Lake Drive - Houghton Lake - (989) 422-5111
LAKELAND RECREATION
6979 W Houghton Lake Drive - Houghton Lake | (989) 422-3576
THE SPORTS BARN
9475 N Cut Road - Roscommon | (989) 821-9511
LYMAN'S ON THE LAKE
6560 W Houghton Lake Drive - Houghton Lake | (989) 422-3231
MARK MARTIN ICE FISHING
(231) 744-0330 | (231) 740-6427
PIONEER HILLS MARINE
10914 N Cut Road - Roscommon | (989) 275-5175
SPICER'S BOAT CITY
4165 W Houghton Lake Drive - Houghton Lake | (989) 366-8400
STATE SAVINGS BANK OF MICHIGAN
Call Anita (989) 621-0108
THE MINNOW BUCKET AT EXIT 222
776 N St Helen Road - St Helen | (989) 632-3257
The "Catch Us If You Can" contest has become a staple event in the Houghton Lake area, drawing anglers from across the state and beyond. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the region's rich fishing culture and the community's commitment to promoting outdoor recreation. The contest has become more than just a fishing competition; it's a community celebration. Local businesses, such as Spicer’s Boat City, play a significant role in sponsoring and hosting events, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. The contest also draws attention to the area's natural resources, encouraging conservation efforts and sustainable fishing practices.
Prize Drawing

Location: Spicer's Boat City - Houghton Lake
When: Annually in April
April marks the annual drawing, where winners are chosen from those who’ve reeled in specially tagged fish. Over the years, the contest has seen big catches, bigger prizes, and countless stories. From small cash prizes in the early years to boats, ATVs, and even a $100,000 grand prize, 'Catch Us If You Can' has evolved to keep anglers coming back. Changes in regulations, new sponsors, and community involvement have shaped the contest into what it is today. The grand prize offers a chance to win $100,000 and a new Lund fishing boat. If the grand prize isn't claimed, a guaranteed first-place prize of $1,000 is awarded, along with other prizes such as a Mark Martin Ice Fishing School vacation and various sponsor-donated packages.
- Catch Us If You Can [Visit Houghton Lake]
Youth Winners

Location: Prize Drawing at Spicer's Boat City
Youth anglers (under 17) become eligible to win a $250 cash prize and a new kayak sponsored by Art-Y-Facts of Roscommon. Prizes are awarded based on a drawing at the final prize drawing event. All anglers catching a tagged fish receive a $50 gas card.
- Catch Us If You Can [Visit Houghton Lake]
Houghton Lake Area Recreation & Attractions

Location: Roscommon County, Michigan
Fresh air and fresh water – purely Michigan – purely refreshing. Come for the experience that will last a lifetime. You will love all there is to see and do in the heart of Northern Michigan. Roscommon County is your family vacation destination. Here you will find four seasons of fun, fishing, fireworks and festivals. Michigan’s Other Great Lakes – Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake and Lake St. Helen will delight you with their natural beauty, wildlife viewing, and spectacular sunrises and sunsets. All three lakes are a sportsman’s fishing and boating paradise. Located in the heart of Michigan you are just a short drive from a great get away.
When you arrive you will be greeted by affordable lodging from luxurious waterfront hotels and family-owned motels to quaint cottages and rustic cabins, or choose to camp at our private and state park campgrounds. Visit many of our casual and fine dining establishments. Head out to our amusement parks, state parks, historical sites, theaters, trails, and beaches. You will experience viewing glorious stars at night in our dark skies.
There are activities for the whole family. Whether you love to hike and bike, golf and shop, canoe and swim - just come stay and play!
- Visit Houghton Lake
- Things To Do [Visit Houghton Lake]
- The Great Outdoors [Visit Houghton Lake]
