Riveridge Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center is looking for young bass fishermen for its second annual tournament.

The senior living facility partnered with local bait and tackle shop Clear H20 in Edwardsburg, located at 69037 Christiana Lake Road, to make the event possible.

The tournament will be Saturday on Eagle Lake in Edwardsburg. The tournament is open to children aged 6 to 16.

Participants should gather at Clear H20 Tackle by 7 a.m. Fishing is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Local, semi-pro angler fishermen have donated their time, boat and tackle in order for the children to compete in the event.

“We have been going over ways to get more involved in the community and show the community that we are here and that we care,” said Admission and Marketing Director for Riveridge Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center Stephanie Lisenko.

The competition will run until noon. Participants will then head back to Clear H20 Tackle for the weigh-in, results and prizes.

Photos of the children with their fish will also be taken. After this, the fish will be released back into the lake.

Ages of 6 to 16 were chosen for the participants because children younger than 6 could have trouble staying entertained on the four-hour fishing trip, and anyone over the age of 16 is required to have a license to fish, Lisenko said.

“Fishing licenses can be expensive,” Lisenko said. “We wanted to maintain a free cost for people to attend.”

Based on last year’s numbers, turn out for this year’s tournament is expected to be large.

“Last year we kept it small on a smaller lake because we didn’t know what kind of what kind of response we were going it get,” Lisenko said. “Response ended up being really huge. So, this year we opted to do it at a bigger venue and a bigger lake.”

Many of this year’s attendees will be relatives of residents and employees at Riveridge Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.

“My favorite part is when I get the call from the grandparent that says ‘I just want to my grandson or granddaughter out fishing. I think that would be so much fun,’” Lisenko said. “My favorite thing is hearing the response about how fun and amazing it is that they are going to get to take their grandchild or child involved in this event. It really is all about fun.”

Co-sponsors for this year’s tournament are Eagle Claw, Clear H20 Tackle and Native Pride Tackle. All gifts and prizes have been donated by local businesses.

Even with all the prizes and fanfare, Lisenko said the true goal of the event is to create a fun day for the children involved.

“We want to provide kids with an experience they might not have had before, which is get out on a boat, on a lake and just enjoying fishing,” Lisenko said.

Those interested in competing in the tournament may call Stephanie Lisenko at (269) 340-2120 or Jake Lisenko, tournament director, at (269) 252-9342.