The Illinois High School Association will test new waters Friday when it becomes the first high school association to host a state bass fishing tournament.
Sunny skies and 80-degree temperatures are forecast to greet the 199 teams that have registered to compete in 18 sectionals at lakes across the state. They all will be — pardon the pun — angling for a chance to become the first bass fishing champion. Here’s what you need to know if you’re interested in catching the action.
How did bass fishing become an IHSA activity? After gauging considerable interest from member schools, the IHSA board of directors voted last school year to inaugurate a bass fishing state tournament this spring. Schools began forming teams in the fall, and several tournaments already have been held this school year.
What are the rules for sectional competition? Teams are allowed two boats per school. Each boat can hold three students, but only two students may fish at a time. An adult captain also is on board to drive the boat. Fishing will take place between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
How do teams win? How do they advance to state? The teams weigh in their five best fish at the end of competition, and the three teams with the heaviest totals from each sectional advance to the state finals. Awards also will be given to the team with the single largest fish of the day. Weight deductions are made for arriving to the weigh-in site after 3 p.m. (a pound for every minute) and for submitting a dead fish for weigh-in (half-pound per dead fish).
Where are local teams headed to fish Friday? Local sites include Busse Woods Reservoir, Chain O’Lakes, Heidecke Lake, LaSalle Lake, Pierce Lake, Shabbona Lake, Skokie Lagoons and Tampier Lake.
When and where is the state championship? May 8-9 at Carlyle Lake in Carlyle, Ill., about 50 miles east of St. Louis.
Where is more information available? The IHSA has created a site with news stories, photos, results and links: thefuturefisheshere.org. (That’s obviously an adjustment of their “The Future Plays Here!” slogan.)
Did you know? Bass fishing is just one of several offbeat competitions hosted by the IHSA. Aside from its many sports, students also can participate in state competitions for chess, debate, drama and group interpretation, journalism, music, scholastic bowl, spirit and “individual events” — which include original comedy, poetry reading and impromptu speaking.
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Sectionals involving area schools
Sectionals are Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. unless noted. High winds have postponed sectionals at Heidecke and LaSalle lakes until Monday. For additional postponements, go to ihsa.org
Busse Woods Reservoir: Glenbard North, Downers Grove North, Downers Grove South, Immaculate Conception, Elmhurst, Conant, Hoffman Estates, Lisle, Westmont, Wheaton North, St. Francis, Wheaton Warrenville South
Chain O’Lakes 1: Hersey, Deerfield, Larkin, Stevenson, McHenry, Prospect, Streamwood, Vernon Hills, Wauconda, Marian Central Catholic
Chain O’Lakes 2: Antioch, Grant, Grayslake North, Warren, Alden-Hebron, Johnsburg, Lakes, Libertyville, Richmond-Burton, Waukegan, Zion-Benton
Heidecke Lake (Monday): Grant Park, Joliet, Bremen, Minooka, Morris, Lincoln-Way Central, Oswego East, Oswego, Plainfield South, Romeoville, Andrew
LaSalle Lake (Monday): Amboy, Bradley-Bourbonnais, Coal City, Earlville, Erie, Manlius Bureau Valley, Seneca, Serena, Sterling, Sterling Newman Central Catholic
Pierce Lake: Byron, DeKalb, Fulton, Marengo, Poplar Grove North Boone, Rochelle, Rockford Boylan, Rockford Christian Life, Rockford East, South Beloit, Sycamore
Shabbona Lake: Aurora Christian, IMSA, Marmion, Bartlett, Batavia, Geneva, Naperville North, Plano, Sandwich, St. Charles East, St. Charles North
Skokie Lagoons: De La Salle, St. Patrick, Taft, Maine West, Proviso East, Glenbrook North, Fenwick, Riverside-Brookfield, Niles North, Loyola, Regina Dominican, North Shore Country Day
Tampier Lake: Reavis, Brother Rice, Marist, Simeon, Hinsdale South, Evergreen Park, Hinsdale Central, Lemont, Oak Lawn, Sandburg, Stagg, Argo
Source: IHSA
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ckane@tribune.com
