Hidden Lakes Trout Farm Hosts Adult Fishing Derby On Saturday, May 6

It's time to sign up for the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Adult Fishing Derby on May 6 at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm in Bolingbrook.

“We are encouraging all adult anglers to enter the fishing derby at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm, which the Forest Preserve acquired in 2022,” said Suzy Lyttle, a Forest Preserve program coordinator. “This is the perfect time to check out the District’s newest fishing spot and spend the morning or afternoon outdoors.”

Anglers 16 or older can register for one or more of three separate fishing derby sessions scheduled for 7-9 a.m., 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. Each session will cost $5 per person. All participants will receive one free container of night crawlers. Anglers can register in advance or on the day of the derby. The first 25 registrants will receive a free giveaway.

Hundreds of dollars in prizes will be awarded for the first-, second- and third-place catches in each fishing session.

You can’t beat the Hidden Lakes location for a beautiful day out in nature, Lyttle said.

“Hidden Lakes Trout Farm is nestled between Hidden Oaks Nature Center and Whalon Lake preserve, and it has this quiet peacefulness about it,” Lyttle said. “During the derby, anglers can sit back and enjoy the large trees and watch for goose families and their awkward but oh-so-cute goslings.”

For those who are more competitive, the derby will provide anglers with a fun way to compare their catches of the day.

“This is what I enjoy the most, the thrill of seeing all the fish come in and taking measurements,” Lyttle said.

Two more fishing derbies are scheduled at Hidden Lakes this year. A Kids Fishing Derby is set for June 24, and another derby will be scheduled in September.

“The Hidden Lakes staff is so excited to host these derbies,” Lyttle said. “We can’t wait to meet our local anglers and see them do their thing! I would encourage those on the fence to just give it a try. You never know what you will catch.”