Anglers Hope To Reel In Biggest Fish At Horsetail Lake Fishing Derby

PALOS PARK, IL —If you missed Palos Park’s spring fishing derby, when the Koch family reeled in a 42-inch grass carp, anglers of all ages and abilities are invited to the fall fishing derby Saturday, Oct. 14, at Horsetail Lake, McCarthy Road/123rd Street and 104th Avenue. No advance registration is required, so just show up.

Check-in begins at 8 a.m. Anglers will have 8:30 to 11a.m. to try to catch the biggest fish in their age group. Fishing derby awards will be presented at 11:30 a.m. First and second place awards will be handed out for the biggest fish caught.

Bring yourself, your family, tackle and rods to Horsetail Lake. The rec department will have some rods available to borrow. The fishing derby is free, but an Illinois fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older.

Fish found in Horsetail Lake largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, green sunfish, bullhead, yellow perch and crappie. Horsetail Lake is part of the forest preserve's Rainbow Trout Program and gets stocked with ½ to ¾ pound rainbow trout in both the spring and fall.

All fish caught will be released back into the lake. The fishing derby is being hosted by the Palos Park Recreation Department and the Forest Preserves of Cook County.