It doesn’t matter how young a fisherman is or how small the catch, everyone’s got a chance to win a prize at Waukegan Park District’s 26th Annual Fishing Derby, to be held June 3 in Bevier Park.
“In the past winners have gotten their own fishing poles or a bicycle,” said Shelby McDonald, recreation supervisor for the park district.
Fishermen come for the prizes, for sure, she said, but what’s also exciting, according to McDonald. is that the low-cost event gives families with children of all ages the chance to enjoy the outdoors together.
“Kids have a really fun time,” said McDonald, who grew up fishing on family vacations in Wisconsin. “It’s not something they get to do every day — hanging out with their parents and doing the same activity. There’s always a very long line in the morning. People get super excited about it.”
Plus, participants don’t need a fishing license that day; thanks to a permit from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. They’re also getting a pond fully stocked with catfish, affording them a darned good chance at a catch — and they can take their catch home to cook and eat.
“That’s something that’s unique in a fishing derby,” McDonald said of keeping the catch. Many Lake County fishing derbies are catch and release, she said.
The event draws several hundred participants, so McDonald recommends fishermen register ahead of time. Otherwise they might have to stand in line to register on the day of the event.
Each person is allowed one pole in the fishing area. Most bring their own poles and bait, but the park district will sell worms, which McDonald said catfish particularly enjoy. A few poles will be available for rent, she said.
Prizes are given for the largest fish caught in various age groups — and new this year, McDonald is offering a prize to the smallest fish caught.
The pond is stocked just before the event.
“We get catfish from Minnesota,” she said. “We’ve worked with the same company for years. They’re awesome. They come in a truck with cabinets on the side that they dump into the pond.
“We drop the fish in the cold water. They’ll move everywhere around the pond so everyone gets a chance to catch one,” she said. “We get all different sizes — anywhere from just a few inches long to about 30 inches.”
In years past, some of the prizes have included a fryer for cooking the catfish. “I’m not a big fish eater. But I do like fried catfish,” she said.
Award winners receive certificates and other prizes. The pond area opens at 7 a.m. for people to pick their favorite spot; on-site registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the contest begins at 8 a.m.
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“It starts out calm and gets a little crazy because everyone’s excited. Everyone’s in a really good mood.”
Six stations with two helpers are positioned around the pond where kids can get help taking their fish off their hooks.
“We also explain at the beginning on how to handle a catfish if you’re to catch one. It’s pretty easy. You grab it from its back and take it off the hook.”
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer for the News-Sun.
Waukegan’s Annual Fishing Derby
When: 8-10:30 a.m. June 3; pond area opens at 7 a.m.
Where: Bevier Park, 2255 Yorkhouse Road, Waukegan
Tickets: Age 12 and under: $3/$5 for pre-registration or $5 on-site registration; Age 13+: $5/$7 for pre-registration or $7 for on-site registration
Information: 847-782-3300; www.waukeganparks.org