Six anglers from the Three Rivers High School Fishing Team recently traveled over 1,500 miles to compete in the Major League Fishing High School Open on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma. Despite facing tough fishing conditions, the experience provided valuable insight as the team prepares for the Bass Federation World Finals and National Championship which will also be held on Grand Lake in June.

Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, commonly known as Grand Lake, is a sprawling 46,500-acre reservoir located in northeastern Oklahoma. Known for its rocky shoreline, deep ledges, and abundant structure, Grand Lake is a popular destination for competitive bass fishing.

Representing Three Rivers in the event were:
• Collin Balk and Freddie Stears
• Brayden Patch and Cooper Stears
• Joe Anglemyer and Derek Patch

While it was a challenging day on the water for all three teams, the anglers gained valuable experience that will be crucial when they return in June.

Looking ahead, these three teams — along with Brady and Noah Moyer — will have three days of pre-fishing followed by three days of intense tournament competition. The goal is for one or more of the Three Rivers teams to make the cut and compete in the final round on Saturday.

“We’re proud of the effort our anglers put in and the resilience they showed,” said HS Principal Carrie Balk. “This experience gave us a better understanding of Grand Lake’s unique challenges, and we feel more prepared than ever for when we return in June.”

The Three Rivers Fishing Team continues to build on its tradition of hard work and dedication. The team’s 2025 roster is currently comprised of 63 youth anglers and 28 boat captains. We host weekly Monday-nighters on local lakes, and participate in state-level tournaments hosted by the Michigan Youth Bass Fishing Association.