Grab your rod and reel: Spend quality time with family at suburban fishing derbies

With Father’s Day coming up, local fishing derbies offer a relaxed way to spend time with Dad — or other friends and family. In most cases a fishing license is not required. Here are some happening soon.

Family Fishing Exploration Day: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, June 19, at Rolling Knolls Forest Preserve, 11N260 Rohrssen Road, Elgin. Hosted by Crabtree Nature Center. Discover the wonders beneath the waters of the preserves. Learn to fish, examine specimens and create art with your family. Free. Registration required at (847) 381-6592. Visit fpdcc.com.

Family Fishing Derby: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 20, at Cornerstone Lakes Park, 2199 Smith Road, West Chicago. Enjoy a light breakfast by the pond and try to catch the “big one.” Each participant receives a goodie bag, and trophies will be awarded in each age category. Bring fishing poles, bait and hooks. Advance $10-$12. Register: we-goparks.org/special-events.

Father’s Day Fishing Derby: 8-11 a.m. Saturday, June 20, at Lakefront Park, 71 Nippersink Blvd., Fox Lake. Awards will be given for largest fish in each age category: 0-8, 9-15, 16 and older; most unique catch; and largest overall fish. An Illinois Fishing License is not required. Bring fishing poles. Chain O’ Lakes Fishing Club will be on-site with fishing and boat vendors. Free. foxlake.org.

Fish-O-Rama: 8-10 a.m. Saturday, June 20, at Northside Park, 1311 N. West St., Wheaton. Wheaton Park District and Kiwanis Club of Wheaton invite kids 15 and younger with an adult to participate in an open fishing contest. Free. Registration required: Lincolnmarsh.org.

30th annual Tuna Kahuna: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, June 20, at Blackhawk Pond, Blackhawk Circle in South Elgin. Kids 15 and younger can try to catch the biggest and smallest fish. Bait and concessions for sale. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Pre-registration is available or on-site the day of. Register: southelgin.com/registration.

Outdoors Day Fishing Derby: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 20, at Busse Lake Boating Center, 20010 Busse Woods, Elk Grove Village; follow signs to Grove 25. No fishing license is required, and all experience levels and ages are welcome. There will be awards for a variety of fish types and catch sizes, and three age group categories (10 and under, 11 to 17, and 18 and older). Free. For details, email District15@cookcountyil.gov; call Justin at (847) 519-7674; or visit buff.ly/PH2BFLJ.

Take Me Fishing: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 20, at Robert Bernas Park, 5716 S. Wilmette Ave., Westmont. Fishing giveaways, while supplies last. Bring a fishing pole. Adult supervision required for kids 14 and younger. Free. westmontparks.org.

Community Fishing Derby: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at South Ridge Lake, 1450 Freeman Road (Freeman and Mumford), Hoffman Estates. Hosted by the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce, the event features a learn to fish clinic from 8-9 a.m. and cash prizes for tagged fish. No fishing license needed. Worms will be available to purchase, as will hot dogs, chips, pop and water. Preregistration is $5 through 10 p.m. June 19; day-of registration is $10. hechamber.com.

McHenry Youth Fishing Derby: 8 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, June. 21, with check-in starting at 7 a.m., at Whispering Oaks Park ponds, 4300 Front Royal Ave., McHenry. The city stocks the pond with catfish and bluegill for anglers to catch. Bring your own rod and reel. First 200 registered children will receive a goodie bag with a participation gift. Bait and breakfast are free, while supplies last. Trophies will be awarded in several categories. Free to youth ages 1 to 16. facebook.com/events/4184744155102394

34th annual Lake Zurich Fishing Derby: 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, June 21, Paulus Park, Lake Zurich. The Dick Schick and Bob Warren Annual Fishing Derby is a catch-and-release event for ages 16 and younger. Prizes awarded in five categories. Bring your own fishing pole. Free. lakezurich.org/751/Fishing-Derby.

Fish with the Cops: 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, June 21, Happy Acres Pond, West Bryn Mawr Ave., Itasca. Join the Itasca Police Department for a morning of fishing. Bring your own fishing gear and see what you can catch. Free. itasca.com.

Fishing Under the Stars: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm at Hidden Oaks Preserve, 475 Trout Farm Road, Bolingbrook. The gates are open late for nighttime fishing when the water cools and the moon is full. Let the kids stay up late and bring the family to enjoy fishing under the stars. All ages. Bring a flashlight and bug repellent. Concessions building open for sales. Free. No registration required. reconnectwithnature.org.

Father’s Day Appreciation: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 21, at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm at Hidden Oaks Preserve, 475 Trout Farm Road, Bolingbrook. All ages. Visit the Tackle Box on Sunday to get a free Father’s Day giveaway. Fishing poles available to rent for free, courtesy of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. No registration required. Free. reconnectwithnature.org.

Father's Day Fishing Derby: 1-2 p.m. Sunday, June 21, at Blackberry Farm, 55 S Barnes Road, Aurora. Hosted by Fox Valley Park District. Dads and kids are invited to bring their lucky fishing pole and join in the fishing action at Blackberry Farm. Prizes awarded for most fish, biggest fish and smallest fish caught in Lake Gregory. Parent participation is encouraged. Included in daily admission. $8 for age 1-64 or $7 for 65 or older; $3 extra for nonresidents. blackberryfarm.info/special-events/.

Kids Fishing Derby: 7-9 a.m. and 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm at Hidden Oaks Preserve, 475 Trout Farm Road, Bolingbrook. Open to kids, age 5 to 15. Prizes and trophies awarded for the largest fish in three different age categories: 5-8; 9-12; and 13-15. One free container of nightcrawlers provided. $5. Sign up for one or both sessions via reconnectwithnature.org.