Frigid temperatures revive DuPage's Hard Water Classic
Frigid temperatures this week are creating what officials hope will be ideal conditions for the third annual Hard Water Classic ice-fishing tournament at Blackwell Forest Preserve's Silver Lake near Warrenville.
Sponsored by the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, the tourney is scheduled for noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, and is expected to attract hundreds of anglers.
A relatively warm December had put the tournament in jeopardy, but Ranger Bob McNeel said he and his staff drilled holes all over Silver Lake Tuesday and believe the recent deep freeze produced enough ice to support the event.
If those conditions deteriorate before Saturday, the tournament will be rescheduled for Feb. 7.
If you're one of the hardy folks who plan to dip your line in the frigid water, here are some key numbers that may help you land a whopper - or at least tell one - at this year's Classic:
4.5: The thickness in inches of the ice on Silver Lake as of Tuesday morning. McNeel says a minimum thickness of 4 inches is required to safely allow folks on the lake.
15: The cost, in dollars, if you register at signmeup.com until 11:59 p.m. Friday.
2: The maximum number of holes each angler may fish from at a time.
10: Maximum diameter, in inches, for each hole.
28: The number of lakes on which ice fishing is allowed in DuPage County.
2:30 p.m.: Historically the best time of day to begin catching fish through the ice, district officials say.
15: The number of feet down at which crappie and bluegill often are caught on the north side of Silver Lake.
0: The number of beers you are allowed to crack open between catches on DuPage forest preserve lakes.
34: The length, in inches, of the largest walleye, recorded and photographed, coming through the ice on Silver Lake.
5: The weight in ounces of the typical shiner minnow anglers will be using to lure the big one.
1/100: The weight, in ounces, of one of the smallest ice-fishing jigs used for catching crappie and bluegill.
1/16: The weight, in ounces, of the larger spoons that fishermen likely will use to attract the walleye and larger fish.
341: The number of participants in the previous two tournaments in 2011 and 2014.
33: The number of fish recorded during the first tournament in 2011 at Mallard Lake in Hanover Park.
2012, 2013: Years the tournament was canceled because of insufficient ice.
19⅞: The length, in inches, of the northern pike that won the 2011 tournament.
22¾: The number of inches of the largest fish, a northern pike, caught in the 2014 tournament.
14¼: The length of the largest largemouth bass recorded at the tournament.
Sources: DuPage County Forest Preserve District, Justin Kmitch's ice fishing tackle box.