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One-hundred-fifty tagged, prize winning fish will be stocked in the three lakes; fifty fish in each lake. Each tag will be worth a different dollar amount. The big prize is $1,000.

"The prizes are randomly assigned. No one knows which is the $1,000 fish," NTF board chairperson, Diana Needham said.

She said the tags, marked with prize amounts are pre-marked, randomly drawn and attached to fish, then randomly planted in the three lakes. The adult fishing contest, sponsored by Chase Bank and Jack's Sporting Goods, will begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, April 25 and end Sunday, April 29 at 3 p.m. Many of the contest rules are the same each year, however, a few changes have been made in the procedures for the adult contest.

"This year, you can turn in up to five fish for prizes," Needham said.

Anglers must have a valid Michigan fishing license and trout stamp. The contest has no age limit, but there is an age requirement to obtain a fishing license. Fish must be caught live, with a rod and reel. Contestants must bring their catch to JackÕs Sporting Goods. Jack's will record the number on the fishÕs tag, then pull a corresponding envelope that contains the amount of the prize.

The Kids' Fishing Contest will take place at the Millpond, next to the VFW Hall on M-66, on Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The entry fee of $30 covers cost of fish and prizes. NTF is looking for sponsors to help defray additional costs of stocking the pond and prizes, not covered by entry fees.

"The goal this year is for every kid to catch a fish and win a prize," Needham said. "WeÕre planting 1000 fish in the pond."

She said the fishing site would be easier to access this year. The NTF committee received permission from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to dredge the pond where the fishing will take place. Entry forms for both contests are available at the Greater Kalkaska Area Chamber of Commerce office, located at 353 S. Cedar at the M-66 intersection, or can be downloaded from the NTF website: www.nationaltroutfestival.com/info@nationaltroutfestival.com or info@national troutfestival.com. For more information, call the Chamber at 231-258-9103 or 800-4-TROUT-0.