Catching Angler Fever: Hooked on Fun at Four Lakes Forest Preserve

By Andrew Wright, Wright Communications

“Good morning, anglers,” the announcer’s voice echoed across the lake shores. A horn sounded through the loudspeaker. “That officially kicks off Hooked on Fun 2026. Thanks for being here!”

More than 330 children along with parents, volunteers, and support staff lined the shores of Four Lakes Forest Preserve, just north of Pecatonica, Illinois, to participate in the event. This event marked the second year of the partnership between the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County and the Muskies Inc. – Flatlander Chapter.

Wally Haas, president of the Muskies Inc. Flatlander Chapter, has a great affection for this event. Haas has been a participating member of the chapter for 25 years, since his first trip fishing in Wisconsin while working at the Rockford Register Star. “My companions each caught a musky, I did not. But that’s what got me hooked on the sport.” What motivates Haas most to ensure the event is a success is to encourage kids to find their passion for fishing. “With any organization, youth is your future. In the future, we are going to need invested people to stock and maintain fish populations in various lakes. We want the next generation to be invested in protecting these habitats. To do that, we want to make sure our community is growing. Also – fishing is a fun thing to do.”

Children who participated were gifted rods and reels, and bait was provided for the event. 200 tackleboxes, donated by Plano Molding, and 195 rods and reels provided by Muskies Inc. were handed out to youth participants. Contests were held for largest fish caught based on three age groups, but many were trying out the sport for their first time.

Le’Ann Taylor (pictured), 8, was one of the first-time anglers. You could see her face light up as she landed a bluegill on her new fishing pole. “This is my first time catching a fish and it was exciting! I can’t wait to grow up so I can catch bigger fish.” Taylor’s mother, Felicia Taylor, brought her family out for the event because her children had been asking joining her. “I like to fish, and now that my kids have this gear and this experience, I’m looking forward to all of us going fishing together. Now we can all go as a family.”

Four Lakes Forest Preserve contains four well-stocked fishing ponds and walking trails along Fish Hatchery Road in northwest Winnebago County. Kids were hoping to catch bluegill, largemouth bass, and catfish.

Addy Bork, 9, was reeling in her fourth fish when she was asked about her morning on the lake. Addy has been participating in youth fishing programs, and had already reeled in a 21.5” catfish, putting her on the leaderboard. “I really like fish stories the most,” she answered when asked why she likes fishing. “Trout fishing stories are the best.”

Jeff Tilly loved to see families spread around the lake on a beautiful Saturday morning. “If you look around, you see how popular it is. It brings families together in nature, you get outdoor recreation, you interact with wildlife. We teach youth about nature preservation, fish management, catch and release programs. It brings everything together that we’re passionate about.”

Tilly, the president of the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County Board of Commissioners, grew up near the Kishwaukee River Valley. The forest preserves were an important part of his youth. “You don’t experience real life from a phone. Being outside you get a breeze, the fresh air, the barbecue, the fish. All five of your senses are engaged. You’re active, moving around, staying healthy.”

Dan Olson, executive director of the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County, has been with the organization for 10 months. “This is the first time I’ve done this event, and my first impressions were overwhelmingly happy. We are seeing people enjoying fishing for the first time, learning about ecology along the way. Kids are learning about fish, about worms even more, and in particular learning about patience.” Olson has been working in nature for more than 30 years. “There are so many benefits in having kids in nature. I really like to see family togetherness—whether it’s walking a dog on a trail together, or kids interacting with other kids they don’t know.”

Olson came from central Illinois, previously leading the Champaign Park District. “I’ve done fishing events in the past, but this one is the biggest and most organized. We are fortunate to work with these sponsors and provide these giveaways that families really like.”

Olson recalled his early memories of fishing with his dad. “Weldon Spring State Park was one of the first trips with my dad. I remember falling off the dock, getting tangled in the seaweeds. But that bonding time was my earliest memory of catching fish, so that really stuck with me all these years.”

Matt Green brought his son, Leo, (pictured) out for the event, gathering their equipment from their vehicle near the entrance of the park. Green said he was looking forward to the event: “It’s a beautiful day to hang out for a bit with my son.” 

Volunteers and staff for the Hooked on Fun Kid’s Fishing Derby knew that the fun kids have at the event will convince them to go fishing with their family again. Jeff Tilly noted, “The lakes are always here, you can always come and fish, but events like this bring people together. It takes a lot of work from our volunteers and staff, and our partners putting this together as a free event for the community.”

The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County and Muskies, Inc. Flatlanders Chapter would like to thank the sponsors of the 2026 Hooked on Fun Kid’s Fishing Derby: Plano Molding, Muskies Inc., Consumers Credit Union, Hugh C. Becker Foundation, Try-Beta Foundation, Loves Park Fraternal Order of Police, Carpenter’s Place, and Rockford Park District.

FISHING AWARD WINNERS
Age Group	Name	Fish Type	Length
3-6 / Biggest Blue Gill (Overall)	Yasmin R.	Red ear sunfish	8.5”
7-11	Andrew Howard	Largemouth bass	18”
12-16 / Biggest Fish (Overall)	Elijah Biller	Catfish	22”