Will County plans Father’s Day fishing events
A fishing license is required for ages 16 and older to fish a public waterway in the state but the Illinois Department of Natural Resources makes an exception for annual free fishing days.
The 2022 Illinois free fishing days from June 17 to 20 coincide with Father’s Day weekend and allow anglers to fish without purchasing a fishing license, salmon stamp or inland trout stamp.
“Every year they have a free fishing weekend to promote people getting out and fishing and to remove the barrier of having to have a license to try it out,” said Bob Bryerton, program coordinator at Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township.
“It’s a good time to spend time with your family and maybe catch a fish or two.”
Forest Preserve District of Will County offers free fishing for Father’s Day weekend from June 17 to 19 at Monee Reservoir Visitor Center in Monee Township.
Each dad gets a free box of night crawlers for bait and a small gift. House fishing poles are free to rent.
“We have pretty much everything they need,” said Bryerton, who also works with Monee Reservoir.
“Be ready to be outside. Bring your sunscreen and bug spray. We have everything else at the reservoir — poles and a limited amount of fishing gear. We have some refreshments as well. They can bring their own chairs.”
Catch-and-release fishing is encouraged at Monee Reservoir, which features a 46-acre lake, but anglers are allowed to take home some of their catch.
“They can keep it if it’s within limits,” said Bryerton of Beecher.
Daily limits are six for channel catfish, one for largemouth bass (15 inches or larger), three for northern pike (24 inches or larger) and 15 combined for white, black or hybrid crappie.
There is no limit on bluegill that are caught.
“If you like fishing, you can get a license and you can do it year-round,” Bryerton said.
Monee Reservoir sells fishing licenses for ages 16 or older for $5.50 per day or $15 per year for Illinois residents and $10.50 per day or $31.50 per year for non-Illinois residents.
There is also the senior citizen fishing license for ages 65 or older who are Illinois residents for $5.50 per day or $7.75 per year and a Super Senior fishing license for ages 75 or older who are Illinois residents for $1.50 per year.
“It’s a nice self-contained area. There’s a nice trolling fishing area and a shoreline area to experience fishing. It’s a one-stop shop,” Bryerton said.
Monee Reservoir Visitor Center also offers fishing poles, rowboats and trolling motors for rental.
Bait and tackle are available for purchase. Minnows must be purchased from the visitor center. The use of amphibians, reptiles and crayfish is prohibited.
“Fishing is fun and zen. You’re focused on what you’re doing. You forget all the other stuff that you’ve got to do. You have to pay attention to the line while you’re out there. You also have to be quiet,” Bryerton said.
“You’re sitting there and that’s when you discover all kinds of other wildlife. There’s herons and eagles that can come by. Stuff is revealed to you. If you’re still for a bit, that stuff will show up.
“I like the nature aspect of it. I like to be out on the lake and all the stuff that you can see. There’s different critters, turtles, fish, ducks, everything.”
Other fishing events in the Southland during Father’s Day weekend include:
“Get Hooked on Frankfort” Fishing Derby:
8-11:30 a.m. June 18 at Prairie Park, Kansas and White streets, Frankfort. The catch-andrelease derby awards prizes for most fish caught/ biggest fish caught in each category, rain or shine. Ages 3-7 fish from 8-8:45 a.m. (7:30 a.m. check-in). Ages 8-12 fish from 9:30-10:15 a.m. (8:30 a.m. check-in).
Participants must bring their own fishing poles. Families may fish together but each child participating must be registered and accompanied by an adult. No food, coolers or chairs on the pier are allowed.
Tickets are $3 for a resident and $10 for a nonresident and include T-shirt, drink and snack, fishing hook and bait. Registration is due June 16. Call 815-4692177 or go to frankfortil.org.
Fishing Day: 8-10 a.m. June 18 at Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens, 7402 W. Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights. Fish will not be weighed and measured at the catch-andrelease event. Prizes will not be awarded. Tickets are $15. Registration is required.
Call 708-361-1873 or go to lakekatherine.org.
Fishing Derby: 9-11 a.m. June 18 at Centennial Park, 7601 167th St., Tinley Park. Prizes will be awarded for the largest fish and the most fish caught for ages 2-6, 7-10, 11-13 and 14-16 at this catch-and-release event, rain or shine. Attendees should bring gear. Tinley Park stores Fishing Connection and The Anglers Outlet donate the bait. Attending sponsors present giveaways and games. Ages 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are $5 for residents and $7 for nonresidents in advance or $10 and $13, respectively, on event day. Call 708-3424200 or go to tinleyparkdistrict.org.