Family Wins Palos Park Fishing Derby Reeling In 42-Inch Carp

PALOS PARK, IL — Anglers of all ages flocked to the sunny shores of Papoose Lake on Saturday, for the Village of Palos Park’s spring fishing derby. Over 65 people came out for a beautiful day on the water and chance to win some prizes.

The village hosts a spring and fall fishing derby in collaboration with the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Gift cards donated by Bass Pro Shop Bolingbrook were awarded to Jeff, Josh and David Koch for reeling in the day’s biggest catch – a 42-inch grass carp.

Olivia Reyes caught the tiniest fish of the day at 2.5 inches. John Delmonte reeled in the most fish in the derby, catching three bluegills and two crappie.

John Delmonte reeled in the most fish in the derby, catching three bluegills and two crappie.

Papoose Lake, on McCarthy Road west of South LaGrange Road, is home to a variety of fish, including bream/bluegill, bullhead, large mouth bass, crappie, and, of course, carp. The carp hauled in by the Koch family was a grass carp, not to be confused with the invasive Asian carp. Last year, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources attempted to rebrand Asian carp as “copi” (short for “copious”), to encourage people to eat up the invasive species.

Olivia Reyes caught the tiniest fish of the day at 2.5 inches.

“Copi is more savory than tilapia, cleaner tasting than catfish, and firmer than cod,” Chef Brian Jupiter said, who assisted IDNR in the rebranding effort. “It’s the perfect canvas for creativity — pan fried, steamed, broiled, baked, roasted or grilled.”

Grass carp are notoriously bony, but said to white, tender, smooth in texture with practically no “fishy” taste, but tend to lose their taste as they age, according to BassOnline.com. Carp also rich in minerals and vitamins, particularly phosphorous and vitamin B12, as well as high levels of beneficial fatty acids, protein, and antioxidants.

All the fish caught were successfully released back into the lake. The next fishing derby is planned for Saturday, Oct. 14, at Horsetail Lake.