Ice-fishing tournament coming to Blackwell
Anglers of all ages are packing their jigs and tip-ups and sharpening their augers in preparation for next month’s Hard-Water Classic Ice-Fishing Tournament.
Sponsored by the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, the tourney is slated to run from noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, on Silver Lake at Blackwell Forest Preserve near Warrenville.
Registration is $15 per person in advance online at signmeup.com/86766. Check-in is from 11 to 11:45 a.m. at Blackwell. The event entrance is on Butterfield Road, about one-quarter mile west of Winfield Road.
If the ice is unsafe, the tournament will be Saturday, Feb. 9. For details, call (630) 876-5931.
Anglers ages 16 and older who are not legally disabled must have valid Illinois fishing licenses in their possession, and everyone must follow all district and state regulations and bring their own gear and bait.
There will be 10 prizes: one each for the three longest largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie, and a gas-powered auger for the longest overall catch. All registrants will be in a raffle for ice shelters, augers, a fish finder, rod-and-reel combinations, tip-ups and other ice-fishing gear.
Proceeds from the registration fees will support district education programs that provide outdoor experiences for special-needs groups, Scouts and community centers in DuPage.
For more information, visit dupageforest.org.