Get your poles ready for Palatine fishing Derby

The Palatine Park District will present its annual Fishing Derby from 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 12, at Plum Grove Reservoir, on Algonquin Road near Harper College. This day of catch-and-release fishing for all ages includes largest fish competitions, a kids casting competition and raffle prizes throughout the event.

The family-friendly event has been offered annually in the fall by the Palatine Park District since 1991. This year, on the recommendation of members of the fishing community, the event has been moved to the spring, a period of the year when the fish are more apt to be biting.

Fish in the Plum Grove Reservoir include hybrid sunfish, bass, channel catfish, perch, carp, bullhead and northern. Prizes will be awarded for the largest bass, largest catfish, largest northern, and the largest fish in the "other" category.

The West Suburban Bass Anglers will be on hand to conduct a kids casting contest complete with prizes donated by the club. Raffles will also be held throughout the day, made possible through donations received from a variety of community sponsors including the Salmon Shop of Palatine, Lucky Dog Charters, Cabela's, Daily Herald Media Group, Angler's International Resources, and Ram Restaurant.

The $3 entry fee is payable at event check-in on Saturday, May 12. All participants 16 years and older must have a fishing license. Licenses can be purchased online through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at www.dnr.illinois.gov or locally at the Salmon Shop, 111 South Northwest Highway, Palatine.

For information, please contact Todd Ranum, Palatine Park District athletic coordinator, at (847) 496-6238 or tranum@palatineparks.org.

The Palatine Park District is a separate municipal governing agency established for the purpose of providing parks, facilities and recreational programs for the community. The park district is responsible for the maintenance, operation and administration of parks and parks facilities under its jurisdiction.

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