Michigan Roadside Attractions: National Trout Memorial in Kalkaska

Michigan Roadside Attractions is a periodic feature on Travel the Mitten that will explore the many interesting things that can be found on the highways, byways and back roads of Michigan, ranging from the interesting to unusual.

One of the easiest roadside monuments to spot on a trip north via US-131 is the National Trout Memorial in downtown Kalkaska. Also known as the Fisherman’s Shrine and Trent the Trout, this statue sits in a fountain in front of the local museum.

The large fish is a mascot of sorts for the annual National Trout Festival, which takes place April 22-26 this year. This event dates back to 1935 and coincides with the beginning of trout season. Events during the festival include parades, a classic car show, a 5K run, food, entertainment and many more – check out http://www.nationaltroutfestival.com/ for more details.

The statue itself is incredibly easy to get to, and there is plenty of parking here so you can stop and get out for a few pictures. It’s definitely a more fun stop in the summer when the water is flowing, but it is still pretty impressive any time of the year.