A 501c3 non-profit event · Muskegon, Michigan

Taking Our Heroes Fishing The Muskegon Charter Boat Association’s charity Lake Michigan salmon fishing day for West Michigan veterans.

One Saturday a year, boats, captains and volunteers take veterans out of Muskegon for a half day of salmon fishing, then everyone comes back in for a luncheon and awards ceremony. Veterans apply. Sponsors and supporters put the boats on the water.

Apply to fish Sponsor the event

Veterans, families and volunteers gathered outdoors on a sunny day at the Armed Forces Salmon Assault

Veterans and volunteers at the marina dock beside the check-in tables on the morning of the event

A group of veterans and participants with their salmon catch behind a sponsor banner

Veterans and volunteers at the event as catches are brought in and registered

15years of taking our heroes fishing

~25boats — the goal for the year

~80West Michigan area veterans — the goal for the year

291fish caught at the 2026 event

For veterans

Get on a boat

Applications go in, and if there are more applications than spots the names are drawn at random. Every participant gets a T-shirt and admittance to the luncheon and awards ceremony.

Application form

How the drawing works, dates and what the form asks →

For sponsors

Pay for a boat

The online sponsorship shop lists 8 products, from Silver 1 Sponsorship at $150.00 to Titile Sponsorship at $3,000.00.

Sponsor the event

Every level, and who backed the last four years →

The day, in order

Dark morning, half a day out, lunch and awards

The event takes place on Lake Michigan for a half day of fishing, then returns for a luncheon and awards ceremony.

01
Check in at the marina
At the 2026 event, check in started at 0500, and participants were told to dress for the weather as it may be chilly in the AM.
02
A half day on Lake Michigan
Around 25 boats is the goal for the year, carrying around 80 West Michigan area veterans out of Muskegon.
03
Back in for the luncheon and awards
Four categories are settled at the awards ceremony: the DOD Challenge, the 1SG Bill Barefoot Memorial Canteen Cup, the Big Box and the Big Fish.

All participants receive a T-Shirt and admittance to the luncheon and awards ceremony.

2026 results

What came off the boats

DOD ChallengeTeam Coast Guard aboard Lured In · 5 fish46.24 lb
Big BoxCode Blue · 5 fish49.94 lb
1SG Bill Barefoot Canteen CupNewaygo VFW aboard Meg-A-Fish · 5 fish37.09 lb
Big FishCaught by Steve B. on Code Blue18.53 lb

The full board, back through 2024 →

On the water and on the lawn

Faces from past events

Participants displaying their catch of Lake Michigan salmon at the annual event

Veterans and participants posing with a large catch of salmon on a wooden display frame

Veterans and volunteers displaying a large catch of salmon at the waterfront venue

Fishing teams displaying their catches at the 2026 event

A winning team with their salmon catch beside gold sponsor banners

A group of veterans and participants with their salmon catch and an Armed Forces Salmon Assault West Michigan Division banner

The whole gallery — the dock, the boxes, the awards →

Thank you

Who put the 2026 boats on the water

Sponsorship is the only thing this event sells, and it pays for the day the veterans fish.

2026 Presenting Sponsors: Ravenna Conservation Club, La Colombe Coffee Roasters, RENK America, Michigan Anglers Association.

Platinum, gold, silver, bronze and product sponsors, plus 2023–2025 →

Sponsor the event

Posted by the organisers

May 24on Facebook

The side of a white boat with red and yellow lettering reading "Boat Camp," displaying the business name and branding on the vessel's hull.

A fishing boat named 'Totally Inappropriate' with a brown dog standing on deck in Grand Haven, Michigan.

The 'Double Down' charter fishing boat docked in Muskegon, Michigan, with captain aboard and fishing equipment visible on deck.

Three children wearing life jackets smile from the deck of the Backerrup II fishing charter boat docked in Muskegon, MI.

A fishing boat hull with registration number and Muskegon, MI marking.

2026 event photos.

May 23on Facebook

Armed Forces Salmon Assault team members display bottles during an event or presentation to attendees.

A group of people posing indoors at what appears to be a community event or gathering, with individuals holding a trophy.

Two men wearing Armed Forces Salmon Assault branded shirts stand together indoors, with one holding a decorative salmon plaque.

Three men wearing armed-forces-salmon-assault branded shirts pose together indoors, with one holding a decorative fish sculpture.

2026 Event Results.

DOD Challenge- Team Coast Guard on Lured In with 5 fish weight of 46.24 pounds.

1SG Bill Barefoot Canteen Cup- Newaygo VFW on Meg-A-Fish with a 5 fish weight of 37.09

Big Fish- Caught on Code Blue by Steve B. at 18.53 pounds.

Big Box- Code Blue with a 5 fish weight of 49.94 pounds.

May 19on Facebook

A scenic twilight photograph of a lighthouse and keeper's house on a rocky breakwater, with flags flying and calm blue water reflecting evening lights.

Armed Forces Salmon Assault team members display award bottles and merchandise while posing for a group photo at what appears to be a community event or fundraiser.

A group of people gathered indoors for what appears to be an awards presentation or event, with several individuals holding trophies.

Armed Forces Salmon Assault event with volunteers registering participants at a waterfront venue, featuring a large cooking pot and fresh-caught salmon.

A community gathering at Armed Forces Salmon Assault featuring outdoor food service, picnic seating, and families enjoying a sunny spring event.

Just a few photos from Saturday. We still have quite a few to go through yet.

May 14on Facebook

A person in a green jacket and black cap packs turquoise Meijer branded gift bags or promotional items in what appears to a community event or donation distribution space.

Stacks of Pepperidge Farm product boxes with packaged crackers or chips displayed in an interior space.

Boat snacks getting put together

May 12on Facebook

We are 4 days away from game day!

We would like to remind everyone who was picked that you need to purchase your fishing license before Saturday.

A day license is $10 for Michigan residents and non-residents. These licenses can be purchased on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish App or their website, https://www.mdnr-elicense.com/ . As well as being purchased at any local retailer. If you are unsure of what retailers sell licenses you can look here: https://www.mdnr-elicense.com/Home/InternetRetailerLocations

If you have further questions about fishing licenses you can ask your local license agent stations found at the link above.

Mar 27on Facebook

Thank you to our 2026 title sponsors, the Ravenna Conservation Club and Renk America. Here is to 15 years of “Taking Our Heroes Fishing” 🇺🇸🎣