Lakeview Aims to Reel in the Big One at the World Ice Fishing Championship!

Lakeview, Michigan is buzzing with excitement as it hosts the 2025 World Ice Fishing Championship, welcoming teams from 10 different countries including the U.S. The event kicks off on Saturday, with participants already on Tamarack Lake for practice.

The local community is thrilled to have so many visitors in their small village, home to about 1,000 residents. Village President Emily Griffith expressed how surprising it is for Lakeview to host such a grand event. “Nobody ever would have thought something like this would come to little old Lakeview,” she said.

Businesses are already feeling the impact, as more foot traffic arrives. Griffith runs a local market and notes the increase in customers. “Lakeview is a rural, quiet village. Having this kind of diversity here is special,” she added.

About an hour northeast of Grand Rapids, Lakeview is creating a unique experience for attendees. Business owner Melissa Charron shared her excitement about meeting people from around the world. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said. The event has helped her store gain visibility as more people stop by to see what’s local.

To commemorate the occasion, Charron has created fun merchandise like shirts that read, “Here, fishy, fishy.” She’s hoping to turn these visitors into loyal customers.

Griffith has plans for the future, suggesting that the village could host an annual ice fishing festival to celebrate the event’s success. Though many businesses in Lakeview typically close on Sundays, they plan to stay open this weekend to welcome everyone.