The County Press

Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area hosts fishing derby on Lake Minnawanna


Sterling Heights’ Mike McCory casts from the shore of Lake Minnawanna while his son and grandson fish from a canoe at Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area. “We fish and the wives make breakfast. We’ve got it made,” he said.

Sterling Heights’ Mike McCory casts from the shore of Lake Minnawanna while his son and grandson fish from a canoe at Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area. “We fish and the wives make breakfast. We’ve got it made,” he said.

HADLEY TWP. — There’s a reason they call it fishing and not catching. Despite clear skies and temperatures in the mid-70s on Saturday, anglers in the annual Free Fishing Weekend Derby had a tough time landing anything other than bluegill and pumpkinseed on Lake Minnawanna at the Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area.

Park Manager Todd Ferrell said 50 people signed up for the annual event, which was spilt into three age groups including 11 and under, 12 to 17 and 18 and up.

The 11 and under winners included Nolan Hobster, first, 1 lb., 1.6-ounce, 14-inch largemouth bass; Caleb Kits, second, 4-ounce, 7.5 inch, bluegill; and Wyatt Hazel, third, 3.75-ounce, 6.75- inch pumpkinseed.

Joseph Bellas took first in the 12 to 17 age group with a 4.75-ounce 7.6-inch pumpkinseed and Hunter Leopold took second with a 2.5-ounce, 7-inch bluegill.

In the 18 and up age group Raymond Turner placedfirstwitha1lb., 6.6-ounce largemouth bass; Mitch Peplinski, took second 1-pound, 4.1- ounce, 14.125-inch largemouth bass; and Tom Sekoll came in third with a 13.75-ounce, 12-inch crappie.

Hadley Township’s Carl Geryl puts his line in Lake Minnawanna Saturday morning. He was one of 50 anglers who entered Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area’s Free Fishing Weekend Derby, but at mid-morning he wasn’t having much luck. Photos by Phil Foley

Hadley Township’s Carl Geryl puts his line in Lake Minnawanna Saturday morning. He was one of 50 anglers who entered Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area’s Free Fishing Weekend Derby, but at mid-morning he wasn’t having much luck. Photos by Phil Foley

Ferrell had a table full of prizes and winners got to chose in the order they placed.

The tournament was part of the DNR’s “Three Free” weekend, which included free entry to all of Michigan’s 103 state parks; free access to the states 34 ORV trails and 6,308 miles of state forest roads and frees fishing statewide. The DNR holds “Three Free” in the spring and fall.

Phil Foley

Chris Witting of East Pointe baits a hook for his granddaughter, Emily Estcutia of Commerce Township. “We come out here every year for the Free Fishing Weekend,” he said, adding it’s good to expose youngsters to the outdoors.

Chris Witting of East Pointe baits a hook for his granddaughter, Emily Estcutia of Commerce Township. “We come out here every year for the Free Fishing Weekend,” he said, adding it’s good to expose youngsters to the outdoors.

Auburn Hills’ Madison Sekoll and her mom, Jessica, identify her catch with a DNR chart from Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area. “We come here all the time,” said Jessica, who caught an 8 ½-inch pumpkinseed.

Auburn Hills’ Madison Sekoll and her mom, Jessica, identify her catch with a DNR chart from Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area. “We come here all the time,” said Jessica, who caught an 8 ½-inch pumpkinseed.

Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area Park Manager Todd Ferrell shows off some of the prizes, including fishing lures donated by Saginaw’s Ron Tunny from his late father’s sporting goods shop, at Saturday’s Free Fishing Weekend Derby.

Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area Park Manager Todd Ferrell shows off some of the prizes, including fishing lures donated by Saginaw’s Ron Tunny from his late father’s sporting goods shop, at Saturday’s Free Fishing Weekend Derby.

Jessica Sekoll of Auburn Hills shows off her 8 ½-inch pumpkinseed she caught in Lake Minnawanna Saturday. While the lake is known for its bass fishing, nearly all anyone was catching was bluegill and pumpkinseed, though three of the eight winning fish were bass.

Jessica Sekoll of Auburn Hills shows off her 8 ½-inch pumpkinseed she caught in Lake Minnawanna Saturday. While the lake is known for its bass fishing, nearly all anyone was catching was bluegill and pumpkinseed, though three of the eight winning fish were bass.

Goodrich’s Shelia Bennett relaxes with her dog on the shore of Lake Minnawanna at Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area. Shelia and her husband, Robert, bring their motorhome to the park every year on her birthday weekend.

Goodrich’s Shelia Bennett relaxes with her dog on the shore of Lake Minnawanna at Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area. Shelia and her husband, Robert, bring their motorhome to the park every year on her birthday weekend.

North Branch’s Devin Tedford has been coming to Metamora- Hadley State Recreation Area with his parents for the camping and the fishing for years. He said the lake has some “pretty good fishing holes,” but Saturday morning he wasn’t having much luck in his search for bass.

North Branch’s Devin Tedford has been coming to Metamora- Hadley State Recreation Area with his parents for the camping and the fishing for years. He said the lake has some “pretty good fishing holes,” but Saturday morning he wasn’t having much luck in his search for bass.

Utica’s Hunter Leopold shows off a bluegill he landed. His dad, Brian, said they like fishing in Lake Minnawanna, but they’d never won the derby before. Hunter’s 2.5-ounce, 7-inch bluegill changed that, earning him second place in the 12-17 age group.

Utica’s Hunter Leopold shows off a bluegill he landed. His dad, Brian, said they like fishing in Lake Minnawanna, but they’d never won the derby before. Hunter’s 2.5-ounce, 7-inch bluegill changed that, earning him second place in the 12-17 age group.