Waukegan, Illinois (May 24, 2024) – The Waukegan Park District is hosting the 33rd Annual Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 8am to 10am at Bevier Park, located at 2255 W. York House Road. Participants will have the chance to win prizes in a friendly competition for the smallest and largest fish caught overall and in their age group. Competitions will be held for the following age groups: 4 years or younger, 5 to 8 years, 9 to 12 years, 13 to 16 years, and 17 years or older. Prizes will be awarded to the top three individuals in each age group.
The Waukegan Park District hosted the first Fishing Derby in 1990 at Roosevelt Park, located at 520 S. McAlister Avenue. The annual event has been held at Bevier Park since 1995. This year, the Bevier Pond will be stocked with over 700 pounds of fish for the 33rd Annual Fishing Derby.
On-site check-in will begin at 7am. Preregistration is required and only one pole or rod per participant is allowed. The cost to compete is $3 per participant twelve years or younger/$5 per participant thirteen years or older (residents) and $5 per participant twelve years or younger/$7 per participant thirteen years or older (nonresidents). Participants can register online or at the Field House Sports, Fitness & Aquatics Center, located at 800 N. Baldwin Avenue in Hinkston Park. Worms will be sold on-site. More information, including registration, is available at waukeganparks.org/fishingderby.
About the Waukegan Park District
Established on December 26, 1916, the Waukegan Park District (WPD) has 53 properties and more than 742 acres of land, including the 18-hole Bonnie Brook and 9-hole Greenshire Golf Courses. Properties are managed to the highest environmental and conservation standards. Facilities operated by the WPD include the Field House Sports, Fitness and Aquatics Center, Waukegan’s Greg Petry SportsPark, Waukegan Skate Park, BMX Track, SplashZone, Percussion Playground, recreational centers, disc golf course, dog exercise area and agility course, outdoor sports fields, picnic areas, playgrounds, splash pads, and sports courts including basketball, tennis and pickleball. A full range of programs and services are offered year-round for all ages, from infants to seniors, as well as special need populations. Healthy lifestyles, wellness initiatives, and a connection with the outdoors and nature are integrated throughout programs, services, and special events. Arts and cultural activities are provided by the Jack Benny Center for the Arts, Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus, and the Waukegan History Museum. We offer something for everyone!
A member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD), Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA), and the Park District Risk Management Agency (PDRMA), the WPD employs 73 full-time and 219 part-time, seasonal, and temporary employees and is recognized by the IPRA as an Exceptional Workplace.
Nationally accredited by the NRPA Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and State accredited through the IAPD Distinguished Agency Accreditation, the WPD has received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Triple Crown Award for receiving the GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award, and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The WPD was awarded the NRPA National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management in 2013, and was named a Gold Medal Finalist in 2012, 2013, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Media Contact
Josue Pasillas, MPA
Communications Supervisor
Waukegan Park District
(847) 360-4789
jpasillas@waukeganparks.org
waukeganparks.org