Doesn’t feel as packed with organized events for this Wild Weekend Wandering around Chicago outdoors as some other summer weekends, probably because Father’s Day is Sunday–in case you forgot.
LAKEFRONT PERCH: They have to come in eventually, I think any way. Maybe this is the weekend. There were some hopeful signs for the favorite of Chicago fishing in the past week, including some better reports at Northerly Island.
SHABBONA BASS OPEN: Shabbona Lakeside’s Bass Open is 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday. Cabela’s is offering $100 for the heaviest bass caught. Lakeside will award an additional $100 for a record largemouth (currently 7.85 pounds). Go to shabbonalake.com or call (815) 824-2581.
ILLINOIS BULLFROGS: Bullfrog season is open in Illinois. BTW, it somebody ever wants a writer, namely me, to tag along, I would love to.
ILLINOIS PERMITS: Applications are underway for first lottery, resident-only, free dove permits. . . . Residents may apply for fall shotgun turkey permits through July 5. Click here.
FREE FLY FISHING: Orvis offers free clinics for fly fishers on weekends through July. Click here. After completing the 2 1/2-hour class, students receive coupons and free membership to Trout Unlimited. And the Chicago Orvis has Joseph Meyer, the area’s great fly fishing teacher.
DALEY DERBY: The Richard J. Daley Sportfishing Derby is open. In June, the species are carp, catfish, perch, coho and chinook. Register fish at Henry’s Sports & Bait, Park Bait or Vet’s Bait. There’s been some nice perch and carp registered so far this month. Go to henryssports.com or call (312) 225-8538.
ARCHERY: The 900 Metric 60-50-40 meters tournament is at Lincoln Park Archery Club on Saturday. Practice begins 9:30 a.m.
Click here. . . . Archery Bow Range Chicago offers instruction.
KIDS OUTSIDE: Through Sunday, Chicago Wilderness and the Lurie Garden are the featured partners in the Family Fun Activity Zone for the Millennium Park Family Fun Festival’s “Wild in the City” week.
Here are some details:
The Family Fun Festival tent will be open 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and located on the Chase Promenade North at Millennium Park, just north of the Cloud Gate bean. The hands-on activities presented during Wild in the City week include: * Planting and taking home a native flower * Petting turtles, snakes and lizards * Building binoculars using common household items * Exploring the world in a giant, inflatable globe * Digging for worms
LAKEFRONT SMALLMOUTH: Big smallmouth are being seen shallow, catching is another matter. It has to happen eventually. Again, one I repeat.
PERSONAL PICKS: I am about to leave for the IHSA bass fishing championship on Carlyle Lake. At some point this weekend, I plan to put in some time shore fishing for catfish or maybe bluegill at Carlyle. . . . Father’s Day I usually try to sneak in some wandering around Mazonia. Considering the forecast heat, I may consider some other option, like something on the lakefront. Would prefer wading, but doubt if rivers will be ready for that. . . . Or I need to get the kids out for a hike on Sunday. . . . Mainly I am looking forward to a couple days of hard work for several newspapers on the high school bass fishing. It’s work I enjoy. . . . As always, a fair amount of my spare time is spent working on “Outside,” the radio show Joel Greenberg and I are doing at 4:30 p.m. Mondays on WKCC-FM (91.1).
