Congratulations to Craig Stephany for winning the Bass Series event at Winton Woods Lake on Sunday, June 8, 2014. These are two-person team tournaments, but anglers are permitted to fish alone. That is exactly what Craig did, and he caught a 10.84-pound, five-fish limit! He won the tournament and collected $539 in Great Parks prize certificates.

James Whitaker and Brian McLucas finished second with 9.88 pounds. Brent Jones and Ryan Zwick finished third with 9.21 pounds. Mike Hoefker won the Bass Pro Shops Big Bass plaque and gift card with a beautiful 4.38 pound largemouth!

The next Bass Series tournament will be at Miami Whitewater Forest on July 12. There are plenty of other opportunities to test your fishing skills before then. There is an Adult/Child Tournament at Sharon Woods Lake this Saturday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to noon. One member of every team must be 16 years old or younger. The entry fee is only $20 and that includes the boat rental. There is also a Midnight Madness Tournament at Lake Isabella on June 21. The event begins at 10 p.m. on Saturday evening and ends at 6 a.m. on Sunday morning. Weigh in your largest six fish to win.

There is a great opportunity to take a kid fishing on Sunday, June 22. The annual Chris Macarthy Memorial Fishing Derby will be at the pond Mitchell Memorial from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. There is no fee to participate. The lake will be stocked with channel catfish for the kids, and live bait will be available for purchase at the event. Every kid 12 years old and younger who catches a tagged fish will win a trophy, and every kid who catches a fish will receive a first fish certificate.

It is already the second week of June, and it is time to get on the water…the fish are biting!

Neal Ramsey, District Recreation Manager