Big fish: A big crappie from south suburbs/a big largemouth bass from the northwest share FOTW

Saniya Askew brings joy of a big crappie and Eric Stark the wonder of a really big largemouth bass, caught while kayak fishing, to share Fish of the Week.

SHARE Big fish: A big crappie from south suburbs/a big largemouth bass from the northwest share FOTW
Saniya Askew with a 14-inch-plus crappie from Wampum Lake. Provided photo.

Saniya Askew with a 14-inch-plus crappie from Wampum Lake.

Provided

Saniya Askew, 11, brought joy to a 14-inch-plus crappie caught at Wampum Lake, a south suburban Forest Preserves of Cook County lake.

We stick with double FOTW.

“We’ve had substantial success there the past few years and the crappie sizes are very surprising,” her father Phil Askew Sr. messaged. “Haven’t caught many under 13 inches.”

On Monday, he messaged, “She just called me at work to tell me she’s organizing her tackle box to try to fish tomorrow.”

To the northwest near Huntley last Wednesday, Eric Stark, in his kayak, boated a 7.23-pound largemouth bass. It hit a jerkbait. Stark is a middle school teacher and coach of the Glenbard North High School bass fishing team/club. He plans to teach kayak fishing this summer.

Eric Stark with a big largemouth bass caught while kayak fishing. Provided photo.

Eric Stark with a big largemouth bass caught while kayak fishing.

Provided

FOTW, the celebration of big fish and their stories (the stories matter) around Chicago fishing, runs Wednesdays in the Sun-Times. Submit nominations by message on Facebook (Dale Bowman), on Twitter (@BowmanOutside) and Instagram (@BowmanOutside) or email (BowmanOutside@gmail.com).

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