More Than 100 Anglers at LITH Ice-Fishing Derby

Anglers at the Lake in the Hills Sportsman’s Club Ice-Fishing Derby were giddy because of the weather.

“It’s a beautiful day,” said Ron McCoy of Algonquin who was fishing on the frozen waters of Woods Creek Lake, Saturday morning. “I don’t care if I catch one or not. It’s just great to be outside.”

 It was sunny with temperatures pushing 30 degrees Fahrenheit – a heat wave, compared to a few days ago.

Word was out, though, fish were biting, said Tim Ruhl, one of the officials with the Sportsman’s Club. 

Wayne Guziak, president of the club, estimated that about 100 anglers participated in the tournament. 

Randy Fredrick brought his 7-year-old son, Zachary, who caught a good-size crappie. 

  "We switched from jigs to bobbers," Randy Fredrick said.  "That's when they started biting. We’re going to try to catch a few more and have them for dinner.”

Jim Erlenbaugh brought his grandson, Matthew Kane, out for some fishing. He had a hand-cranked, manual auger and took some time to get through the layers of ice.

“Fishing is my only vice,” Erlenbaugh said. “One of these days, my wife will give me permission to purchase a power auger.”

The biggest catch of the day was a 33-inch northern pike, Guziak said.