Dowagiac culinary classes enjoy annual Mill Pond fishing trip
Published 11:53 am Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Dowagiac culinary teacher Andy Kruger's 1st hour class. (Submitted)
Jade Rybatczyk and Amara Irvin pose with a carp. (Submitted)
The winning fish of Andy Kruger's first hour class was a 21.25-inch carp. (Submitted)
Ethan Orrick poses with a golden redhorse. (Submitted)
Jonathan Dash poses with a bluegill. (Submitted)
The afternoon culinary class poses for a photo. (Submitted)
Cephus Carr won the afternoon carp competition with an 18.5-inch carp. (Submitted)
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DOWAGIAC — A local culinary class was able to experience the great outdoors Friday afternoon.
Dowagiac Union High School Culinary Class Teacher Andy Kruger and his classes took their annual fishing trip to James Heddon Mill Pond Park. The pond is famous for allegedly being the place Heddon founder James Heddon created his first fishing lure and is one of the area’s most popular fishing destinations.
Kruger said the trip is the culmination of the class’ Freshwater Fish in Michigan unit.
The classes had practice casting as well as casting and fishing competitions, with the winners receiving their name on a trophy that will stay in Kruger’s classroom.
Bryce Vaughn won the morning carp competition with a 21.5-inch carp and Cephus Carr won the afternoon carp competition with an 18.5-inch carp.
“When it’s in the paper, my neighbors in the community said ‘you’re getting those kids out,’’” Kruger said. “It gets more support than anything I’ve done in my career.”
