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Glen Arbor Sportsman Shop torn down; rebuild scheduled for 2026

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The Sportsman Shop, a popular clothing outfitter and fishing destination next to Boonedocks in the heart of Glen Arbor, was torn down today. Captain Bob Smith, who owns the business together with his sons Wes and Brad, said they plan to rebuild the Sportsman’s Shop by next spring or summer. The Smiths decided to tear down the existing structure after incidents of flooding after the Michigan Department of Transportation changed the grade of M-22. The Sportsman Shop has been in Glen Arbor since 1948.

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Winterfest returns to Boonedocks

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Glen Arbor’s Winterfest, the anticipated mid-winter event, takes place annually the Saturday of President’s Day weekend. This year’s perch fishing contest has been canceled due to a lack of ice on the Glen Lakes. But the chili cook off will be held on the deck of Boonedocks restaurant in Glen Arbor on Saturday, Feb. 18, from noon-3 pm.

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Biting the Fish at Glen Lake Winterfest

Miserable weather conditions in the early morning hours of Saturday, Feb. 19, didn’t stop these hearty souls at Glen Arbor’s Winterfest. Fifty-three people braved white-out snow conditions and below-zero temperatures to participate in a perch fishing contest with proceeds benefiting the Glen Lake School scholarship fund. All told, the event raised more than $9,100 raised for Glen Lake scholarships.

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Glen Arbor’s Chili Cook-Off and Perch Fishing Contest returns

In this photo from our archives, Ed Love shakes hands with his fresh perch at the Chili Cook-Off and Perch Fishing Contest on the deck at Boonedocks in Glen Arbor, which returns this year on Saturday, Feb. 19, from noon–3 p.m. Proceeds from the event fund scholarships for Glen Lake School students headed to college.

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Glen Arbor & Empire Winterfests, Saturday, Feb. 18

Don’t miss the annual Glen Arbor Winterfest on Saturday, Feb. 18. Festivities include the Perch Fishing Contest and Chili Cook-off.

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Hearty and warm in Glen Arbor

Despite frigid temperatures that approached 0 degrees (Fahrenheit) Glen Arbor didn’t cancel its 15th annual Winterfest celebration, on Saturday, Feb. 14.. The perch fishing contest, facilitated by the Sportsman Shop, and the chili cook off next-door at Boone Dock’s drew the heartiest of souls. Don Miller took the following photos of the event.

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Glen Arbor Winterfest features perch contest and chili cookoff

Escape from the winter blues at the 14th annual Glen Arbor Winterfest on Saturday, Feb. 15. Festivities start at 7 a.m. with the beginning of the Perch Fishing Contest, with prizes for forest through fourth place catches. All participants will bring their biggest catches from Big and Little Glen to the Sportsman Shop at 1 p.m., and winners will be crowned. Entry fee for this event is $20, and all ages are welcome to participate.

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Glen Arbor celebrates 14th Winterfest

Escape from the winter blues at the 14th annual Glen Arbor Winterfest on Saturday, Feb. 15. Festivities start at 7 a.m. with the beginning of the Perch Fishing Contest, with prizes for first- through fourth-place catches. All participants will bring their biggest catches from Big and Little Glen to the Sportsman Shop at 1 p.m., and winners will be crowned. Entry fee for this event is $20, and all ages are welcome to participate.

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Chillin’ at Glen Arbor, Empire Winterfests

Did you take part in this past weekend’s annual Winterfests in Glen Arbor and Empire? If not, you can experience the glory by watching these videos of the winners of this year’s Perch Fishing Contest being crowned on the deck at Boonedocks. And you can dive beneath the ice into South Bar Lake in solidarity with locals Kathy Young and Jack Gyr.

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Glen Arbor Winterfest turns lucky 13

Escape from the winter blues at the 13th Annual Glen Arbor Winterfest on Saturday, Feb. 16. Festivities start at 7 a.m. with the beginning of the Perch Fishing Contest, with prizes for first through fourth place catches. All participants will bring their biggest catches from Big and Little Glen to the Sportsman Shop at 1 p.m., and winners will be crowned. Entry fee for this event is $20, and all ages are welcome to participate.

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