Kids can learn to fish, win prizes and help the environment, at Lindenhurst’s annual free carp fishing derby Saturday at the three-acre John Janega Park.
The Lindenhurst Park District created the derby four years ago to rid the one-acre fishing pond in the park of non-native carp, said David Mohr, the district’s executive director. As part of the district’s restoration program, “we stocked the pond with fish, including smallmouth bass,” he said.
The park district offers catch and release for fisherman at the park. But non-native carp got into the pond from nearby lakes and streams. “They are bottom feeders and they will kill off other species,” Mohr said. “We thought instead of going in and shocking the pond or treating it with chemicals (to get rid of the carp), we’d have an annual carp fishing derby. It would be a healthy way and a fun way to get the carp out of there.”
Those who come to the event typically remove 25 to 30 carp annually, he said. “It’s not a big number, but it helps,” Mohr said. Those fish don’t go back into the pond, but instead are given to local farmers to use for fertilizer, he said. “It comes full circle.”
Mohr said people enjoy coming to the event to teach youngsters about fishing. The district offers free bait, corn dough balls, but participants need to bring their own fishing equipment. “A lot of the dads are really into it and they’re trying to teach their kids. It could be their first experience.”
Mohr’s 3-year-old daughter got her first fishing lesson from her grandfather last year. “It was really cute. She was out there with Papa and he was showing her how to fish.” The carp range between 15 to 25 inches, and prizes are awarded to the youth for smallest, biggest and most carp caught. Parents take lots of photos that day, he said, adding those youngsters who don’t want to fish can see them swimming around in a tub after they’re caught and before they’re donated to farmers. Depending on the weather, 50 to 75 people attend. “It’s a fun, little event,” he said.
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Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer.
Annual Carp Fishing Derby
When: 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday
Tickets: Free
Where: John Janega Memorial Park, 205 Hickory Drive
Information: 847-356-6011; lindenhurstparks.org/site/epage/157091_538.htm