Young fishermen compete in Des Plaines parks Family Fishing Derby

Posted August 29, 2012 3:10 pm

Submitted by Des Plaines Park District

Cassidy Morisco holds up her 13-inch bass at the Family Fishing Derby at Mountain View Adventure Center on Aug. 4. It was not the biggest fish in her age group, but she also caught the smallest fish in the 6-8 age group, a 3.75-inch sunfish. Courtesy of Lisa Haring

Over 40 fishermen competed for the denizens of the deep in the Des Plaines Park District’s annual Fishing Derby at Mountain View Adventure Center, Saturday, Aug. 4. The event was co-sponsored by the Izaak Walton league of Des Plaines. Anglers reeled in sunfish, bluegills, and large mouth bass ranging from 3-inch to 16.5-inch in the park’s two retention ponds.

The Fishing Derby is a catch-and-release event and scoring is based on the honor system. Each fisherman tallies his catch and records the length of the fish on his score card. Prizes are awarded in three age categories for the smallest fish, the largest fish, and the most fish caught between 9 and 11 a.m.

In the 5-year-old and under age group, McKayla Garnett, 5, caught the most fish, a total of 22. Alexis Weiler, 2, caught the smallest fish, a 4-inch sunfish and Lyric Henry reeled in a 16.5-inch largemouth bass. The bass dragged Henry’s rod across the lake and was rescued by Joe Gallo of the Izaak Walton League, with the bass still hooked.

In the 6- to 8-year-old category, Ryan Weiler, 8, caught 38 fish; Makayla Allen caught the largest fish, a 14.5-inch largemouth bass; and Cassidy Morisco caught the smallest fish, a 3.75-inch sunfish.

In the senior fisherman category, ages 9-12, Boyan Djurovic, 12, Des Plaines, caught 95 fish, the most of all the anglers. Evan Laffey, age 11, caught a 15-inch bass and Kingston Henry, 9, caught the smallest fish, a 3-inch bluegill.

The Des Plaines Izaak Walton league donated three fishing poles that were awarded to the overall winners: Kingston Henry for the smallest fish, Lyric Henry for the largest fish, and Boyan Djurovic for the most fish caught. The League members were also on hand to answer questions about bait and equipment and provide fishing techniques.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources loaned the Des Plaines Park District fishing poles for the event. These poles will also be available for use at the Friends of the Parks Fishing Derby from noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Lake Park.

Fishing is free every day in the Prairie Lakes Community Center retention ponds. Call (847) 391-5711 for more information.

Mountain View Adventure Center is located at 510 E. Algonquin Road.

Call (847) 391-5733 for information about upcoming events or visit www.DPParks.org.

Ÿ Send Your news to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com.

Izaak Walton member Joe Gallo, Maddox and Lyric Henry are all smiles after Gallo rescued Lyric Henrys rod with a 16.5-inch largemouth bass still hooked to it at the Family Fishing Derby at Mountain View Adventure Center on Aug. 4. Courtesy of Lisa Haring

Evan Laffey, 11, Mount Prospect, holds up his award winning 15-inch largemouth bass. Courtesy of Lisa Haring

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