Carter Redlich, 8, of Inverness is excited to see movement on his fishing pole Sunday as he fishes with his father, Steve, during the Hoffman Estates Park District's annual ice fishing derby at South Ridge Park.
Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald
The third time was the charm Sunday as anglers took to the frozen lake in Hoffman Estates' South Ridge Park for the Hoffman Estates Park District's twice-delayed annual fishing derby.
Postponed each of the previous weekends because of subzero temperatures — even ice fishers aren't that crazy — anglers young and old finally had a chance to try their luck luring bass, bluegill and other species out of holes cut in the 12-inch-thick ice.
“I caught a 7¼-inch bluegill, and a half an hour later, I caught a 5-inch bluegill.” said 8-year-old Carter Redlich of Inverness, who fished with his father, Steve.
The fishers had three hours on the lake and competed for awards and prizes for largest fish in several categories. Among the winners was Hans Predel of Barrington, who snared a 14½-inch largemouth bass.
Hans Predel of Barrington holds his award-winning 14½-inch largemouth bass Sunday during the annual catch-and-release ice fishing derby sponsored by the Hoffman Estates Park District at South Ridge Park.
Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald
"The ice is about 12 inches thick," Kyle Goddard of the Hoffman Estates Park District said Sunday as he drilled a hole in the ice at South Ridge Park during the park district's annual fishing derby.
Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald
After two weeks of delays because of subzero temperatures, anglers were eager to try their luck Sunday during the Hoffman Estates Park District's annual ice fishing derby at South Ridge Park.
Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald
Hans Predel, left, of Barrington, holds his winning 14½-inch largemouth bass as it gets measured by event organizer Kyle Goddard during the Hoffman Estates Park District's annual ice fishing derby Sunday at South Ridge Park.
Ryan Rayburn for the Daily Herald