Editor’s note: Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Michael Leighton submitted winners’ names.
The 46th Annual Youth Fishing Derby was held on Saturday, September 8, 2018, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., at Lake Carlton in Morrison-Rockwood State Park, Morrison, IL. Sponsors of the popular, free event are the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office and Mounted Patrol. Even though docks are being replaced on Lake Carlton, area families were able to access the water from the banks.
The event began in 1973, due to the efforts of Bud Latimer and Butch Kimmel, stated retired Sheriff Roger Schipper.
Registration began under gray skies at 8:30, for all youth ages 15 and under; 125 eager children took the challenge. The family below was one of the first to begin fishing.
There was a new component to this year’s Fishing Derby. As they had done on two days during the August 2018 Whiteside County Fair, Illinois Masonic Lodges from Erie, Fulton, Morrison, Prophetstown, and Sterling-Rock Falls, IL, compiled free identification materials for children, at their ILCHIP station. The Illinois Child Identification Program provides fingerprints; a photograph indicating the child’s height; a short video interview; a DNA test kit to administer at home and submit for testing.
In just over two hours, the men registered 37 children.
Shown left-to-right are Ken Schaver, Jon Armstrong, Harrison Lippens, Robert Shambaugh, Northern Area Coordinator Mike Martin, Mark Ottens, and Wade Kaufman.
The Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office thanks all who contributed to this year’s event, including Lenhart Plumbing; Plano Molding Company; Sterling, IL, Wal-Mart; Bo’s Bait and Tackle of Rock Falls, IL; Mary Rasmussen and her Morrison Rockwood Marina & Restaurant staff; Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Beneath the tent, tables full of prizes would be awarded to all participants throughout the morning. They are obscured by these steadfast volunteers, shown left-to-right: Darlene Schipper; Dave Schipper; Retired Sheriff Roger Schipper; Sergeant Jake Kelberg; Lieutenant Seth Janssen; Deputy Jim Melton; Sheriff Kelly Wilhelmi; Chief Deputy John Booker; Lorna Temple; Deputy Michael Leighton.
Awards for biggest fish (by length) for each category are listed below. If no qualifying fish was caught in the category, a name was drawn from the list of participants who registered at least one fish. All winners are from Illinois.
Winners by Fish Species
Largemouth Bass: Madison Hook, Age 6, Albany; Clare Weets, Age 8, Morrison; Luke Holesinger, Age 12, Fulton.
Crappie: Elisa Temple, Age 4, Fulton; Brooklyn Vogel, Age 10, Fulton; Parker Janssen, Age 12, Sterling.
Catfish: Mason Hayton, Age 7, Fulton; Breleigh Hayton, Age 9, Fulton; Mikadyn Jakubs, Age 12, Morrison.
Walleye/Musky: Wyatt Olson, Age 5, Wheaton; Jace Eads, Age 9, Morrison; Kelvin Macande, Age 12, Miles.
Bluegill/Sunfish: Charlotte Boles, Age 5, Morrison; Serenity Palmer, Age 11, Morrison; Ethen Sikkema, Age 12, Lyndon.
Special prizes were awarded for individual efforts:
- Butch Kimmel Award—Ben Martinez (age 12, Montgomery)
- Boy that Tried the Hardest—Cael Wright (age 9, Morrison)
- Girl that Tried the Hardest—Aubriana Sodaro (age 9, Rock Falls)
At the end of the day, a drawing was held; six lucky participants received new bicycles:
- Eleah Kraft (age 3)
- Carson Verdick (age 4, Morrison)
- Cara Tack (age 7, Fulton)
- Issabella Johnston (age 10, Erie)
- Kaid Bryan (age 10, Prophetstown)
- Luke Holesinger (age 12, Fulton.)