The fishing derby is held during the Saturday of Michigan’s summer free fishing weekend, which in 2025 is June 7.

This event has been hosted with great success for more than twenty years! In 2012, the derby was re-named the Joe Scholtz Memorial Fishing Derby in honor of the former Mayor of St. Louis and the founder, organizer and driving force behind this wonderful day for the community. Joe passed away in 2011.

Hundreds of people typically visit the Pine River in St. Louis’s Leppien Park to try their hand at landing the biggest fish. Please be aware, derby participation is limited to shore fishing.

You need to pre-register for the derby by completing an online registration form (will be available closer to the date of the event) or completing a physical copy of the form (will be available for download closer to the date of the event) and returning to City Hall.  Participants must check in at Leppien Park prior to 9:00 a.m. Fishing is from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

Click here for Registration