Wauconda fishing derby to benefit war veterans

An ice fishing tournament to benefit two veterans group is being organized for early next year.

Plans call for the fifth annual ice fishing derby to occur from 7 a.m. to noon Jan. 25 on Bangs Lake in Wauconda. If the ice is poor on that date, the derby would be shifted to Feb. 15.

Proceeds from the ice fishing tourney will benefit the Wounded Heroes Foundation and Veterans Release and Relief, according to former Gurnee Trustee Kirk Morris, who is involved in the event. Entry fee is $15.

Wounded Heroes Foundation assists the severely injured men and women of the armed forces serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world. The traumatic injuries include vision and hearing loss, amputations, gunshot wounds, burns and blasts.

Veteran Release and Relief has a mission to perform charitable services, provide educational programs and research for alternative treatments, to enhance productivity and quality of life, and to disseminate timely and useful information to U.S. military veterans afflicted with post-traumatic stress disorder, combat-related stress and traumatic brain injuries.

For those who participate, there will be expansive parking next to Bangs Lake. All-terrain vehicles will help pull participants and their gear onto the lake.

Prizes will be offered for big northern, big bass, big crappie, big bluegill and big perch. There also will be several raffles.

For details, call Ryan Jacobsen at (224) 634-0029. Registration and donations may be done online at lvvaicefishingderby.com or fishing derby day.