Black Lake Shivaree set to go on, ice fishing contest canceled due to unsafe ice

Karly Graham, Cheboygan Daily Tribune
·2 min read
People gather on the ice on Black Lake for the Shivaree in this undated photo. Ice conditions this year may make it unsafe for anyone to venture out onto the ice.
People gather on the ice on Black Lake for the Shivaree in this undated photo. Ice conditions this year may make it unsafe for anyone to venture out onto the ice.

CHEBOYGAN — Above-freezing temperatures throughout the state have prevented many inland lakes from freezing over, limiting the availability of safe ice fishing spots.

In response, the Sturgeon For Tomorrow Shivaree, scheduled for Feb. 2-3, has adjusted events to make things safe and fun for attendees.

People take part in Shivaree activities on Black Lake in 2023.
People take part in Shivaree activities on Black Lake in 2023.

According to President of the Sturgeon for Tomorrow Black Lake Chapter Jay Woiderski, the Shivaree will be going on as scheduled, just with a few adjustments.

However, due to limited ice conditions, the fishing contest was canceled this year.

Cheboygan County Sheriff Tim Cook recently sent a warning to residents that inland lakes are in dangerous ice conditions and may be unsafe to walk on.

Cook noted there is particular concern about ice conditions on Black Lake as the popular and competitive lake sturgeon season is set to open on Feb. 3. Only six sturgeon are allowed to be caught per season, with the quota being met in less than an hour in some years.

In a Facebook post, Sturgeon for Tomorrow urged anyone participating in the sturgeon season "to use extreme caution on the ice."

The group will still crown a king or queen if fish are harvested.

More: Cheboygan County Sheriff warns of dangerous ice conditions

Woiderski said the sturgeon season is going to be impacted greatly without the ability to have transportation on the lake, but because the Shivaree is set up on the shoreline, most activities should be able to go on as planned.

"This is our biggest fundraiser of the year for what we do for enhancing the sturgeon population in the lakes in Michigan," Woiderski said. "Not only are we contributing to the population of Black Lake, but our fundraising helps people with Mullet Lake, Burt Lake, Saginaw Bay and other lakes in areas around the state."

A group of people walk on the Black Lake ice before the official start of sturgeon season in 2023.
A group of people walk on the Black Lake ice before the official start of sturgeon season in 2023.

Still set to happen are events like the Poker Run, though this is expected to occur with vehicles, the entertainment tent and educational activities.

For more information, visit the Black Lake chapter of the Sturgeon For Tomorrow Facebook page.

— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN. 

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Black Lake Shivaree set to go on, ice fishing contest canceled