It is hoped the return of a fishing tournament at Mill Pond on June 23 will reel in enough money to maintain the dam and keep it in private ownership.

“Typically, our funding comes from membership dues and private donations,” Don Wolford, interim president of the Mill Pond Improvement Association. “But if those aren’t coming in, we’ve got to find the alternatives to keep the dam and mill pond going.”

More than 80 residents who live on the pond privately own the site. However, funding for the maintenance and state inspection fees is running low, forcing members of the Mill Pond Improvement Association to consider fundraising opportunities.

Known as the place where James Heddon conceived his idea for his world-famous fishing lures in the late 19th century, the historical park and millpond have served as a prominent site for fishing and recreation for many years. Because the dam is listed as a high-hazard dam, the state of Michigan requires the dam to be inspected every three years, a $1,500 cost the association must pay.

“The dam will be inspected by the state before December, and it already costs $1,500,” Wolford said. “And the cost will get higher, as everything normally does.”

According to Wolford, the state aims to eliminate all the dams and replace them with trout streams. Removal of the dam means elimination of the water at the park, something that Wolford said would only hurt the area.

“This mill pond brings in a large fishing crowd,” Wolford said.

Rock Okonski, an association member, agrees, explaining that one mishap or costly repair could wipe out the fund.

“We’re trying to build our funds to keep us afloat,” Okonski said. “We’d just like to preserve the lake and keep the area around for future generations. The lake is my father; that’s where my passion comes from.”

The tournament will feature as many as 40 teams of two fishermen, reeling in prizes from contests that include bluegill, crappie, carp and bass. The winner in each category will receive $100. The grand prize will be a Motorguide #40 Trolling Motor, worth $260.

“We had the tournament last year, and we wanted to bring it back,” Wolford said. “We’d like to make it an annual thing at the park.”

Registration for the tournament begins Friday. For more information, call Rick Okonski at (269) 357-6132.