Beall Woods State Park is hosting its first-ever Tagged Fish Challenge. Forty-five tags are distributed among different species of fish in the park’s lake including largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redear, and channel catfish. The fishing frenzy has begun with only two of the tagged fish being caught. There is still plenty of time for anglers to try and catch the fish. The challenge will continue until August 31st, 2020.
Anglers of all ages are encouraged to wet a line. Residents of Illinois must have a valid Sport Fishing License, with the exception of persons declared legally disabled or blind, under the age of 16, and a person on leave from Active Duty in the Armed Forces. Non-resident sport fishermen must purchase an Illinois Sport Fishing License before participating in the contest, unless under the age of 16.
All tagged fish must be caught in accordance with all state and local laws, codes, rules and regulations. Illinois Department of Natural Resources fishing regulations can be found at https://www.ifishillinois.org. Site specific size and creel limit can be found in the kiosk by the park’s boat dock. If an angler doesn’t comply with regulations, Beall Woods State Park staff and sponsors will have no obligation to award any prize to that angler. He or she will be disqualified.
Fish must be caught on a rod and reel. Angler should take a photo of themselves with the fish (tag needs to be visible in the picture). The top of the tag can be removed from the fish (cut and leave the bottom portion in the fish). Angler will need to contact the park’s Visitor Center 618-298-2441 to inform the Interpreter that a tagged fish has been caught and schedule a time to meet with the sponsor to receive their prize. Any tagged fish caught after Aug. 31st, 2020 will not be eligible for a prize. One individual is only allowed to catch two prize specific tagged fish. There is no limit to the number of generic tags an angler can catch for the grand prize. Anglers catching tags for the grand prize will be contacted at the beginning of Sept. 2020 to meet at the park for the drawing.
Twenty-five of the tags correspond with specific prizes donated by the following sponsors: Kenny Saxe – State Farm ($100), The Smile Center ($100), Nobbe – Albion ($100), Citizens National Bank ($100), Ingram Meredith Funeral Home ($100), Edwards County Concrete ($100 gift certificate), Zachry Industrial Inc. ($100), Wabash Valley Bass Club ($100), CTB Repair ($65 value – oil change and tire rotation), Hanging Rock Bass Club ($50), Wabash Valley Association (sponsored two $50 gift card fish), Kids Outdoor Zone – Little Prairie Christian Church (sponsored two $50 fish), Kids Outdoor Zone – Little Prairie Christian Church (sponsored four $25 fish), Brian Mewes – Edward Jones (Product Package), Gottman’s Jewelry ($25 gift certificate), Casey’s General Store (sponsored two $25 gift card fish), Darrin’s Collision (sponsored two $25 fish), and JUSTINERTAINMENT ($25).
The remaining twenty tags are not prize specific. Anglers catching generic tags 1514-1534 will be entered to win a grand prize. The “grand prize” consists of a guided fishing trip at Rend Lake with BONEYARD Fishing and a gift card from the First Baptist Church of Mt. Carmel! This amazing guided trip was sponsored by the Illinois Conservation Foundation. A huge thank you to all of the businesses and organizations that supported this idea and contributed to the prizes.
Stay informed and keep track of which fish have been caught by stopping by the Visitor Center and checking out the Tagged Fish Challenge display! Good Luck!
