Sycamore Park District Fishing Derby

SYCAMORE - It was a perfect morning for Don Hardt of Genoa to take his son Donnie, 7, to a fishing derby.

“We fish quite a bit but this was our first time at this event,” Hardt said. “This is our first derby together.”

The Hardts were two of 32 participants in the ninth annual spring fishing derby at Sycamore Lake Rotary Park on Saturday morning. Sycamore Park District superintendent of recreation Bart Desch said he only creates two categories for the derby - 12 and under, and 13 and up.

“I like to keep it nice and simple - the longest fish in both age groups,” he said.

Randy Ericson of Sycamore chose a Zebco rod and reel set for winning the adult category by catching a 14-inch largemouth bass, and Maverick Warren, 8, of DeKalb also won a rod and reel for catching a 10-inch smallmouth bass. The second-place winners were also able to choose prizes from a selection of fishing gear, and the rest of the items were distributed to participants in a raffle drawing.

The 8-acre lake at the north end of North Cross St. averages 11 feet in depth, and the deepest area of the lake is 35 feet. The lake is stocked with bluegill, bass, sunfish, crappie and catfish.

All fish were returned to the lake after being caught and measured.