Register Now for the Forest Preserve's 'Kids' Fishing Derby'

The heat wave has subsided and the rain has waned, so Saturday, July 27, will be a perfect time to take your child to the Forest Preserve District of Will County's annual "Kids' Fishing Derby" at Monee Reservoir.

The derby is for ages 5-15, and it will be held from 8 a.m. to noon at the reservoir. Online registration is open now. Check-in and walk-up registrations begin at 7 a.m.

The derby costs only $5 per person, so it's an affordable event. Adding an element of competition makes it more exciting, as your kids will see how their fish stack up against other derby participants' catches. Prizes will be awarded in three age categories for largest fish, smallest fish and most fish caught. Every participant will receive a goody bag and ice cream.

While the derby will be a fun outing for families and kids, there are other reasons to participate. Fishing:

1. Fosters a greater appreciation for natural resources, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Teach your children that the planet is 70% water and " ... we must strive to be good stewards of our natural resources if we are to coexist with plants and animals." Teaching fishing limits also introduces the concept of conservation and how catch-and-release strategies keep fishing populations healthy.
2. Helps children disconnect from electronic devices and encourages them to get outdoors to soak up some sunshine.
3. Requires patience, something that can be missing from lives filled with instant messaging and streaming media content. No one knows when fish will show up, so kids have to learn how to sit, wait, relax and enjoy nature.
4. Produces bonding experiences and teachable moments for parents. Instructing a child on casting, choosing bait and other angling strategies can form a connection that will last a lifetime. Also, children can learn about what not to do while out on the water. "Teach kids that fishhooks and line can snag and kill fish, birds, turtles, small mammals and frogs when thrown into the water," the IDNR recommends. "These should be discarded in appropriate trash containers."
5. Provides memories that can last a lifetime when proper techniques and patience are rewarded with a catch of the day or a prize-winning derby fish.

For more information on fishing with children, visit the state's "Taking Kids Fishing" webpage.