JOIN “HARD-WATER CLASSIC” ICE FISHING TOURNAMENT

Anglers of all ages, pack your jigs and tip-ups, sharpen your augers and join the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s “Hard-Water Classic” Ice-Fishing Tournament Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, from noon to 3:30 p.m. on Silver Lake at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville.

Registration is $15 per person in advance online at signmeup.com/86766. Check-in is at Blackwell on Jan. 5 from 11 to 11:45 a.m., and tournament fishing is from noon to 3:30 p.m. The event entrance is on Butterfield Road one-quarter mile west of Winfield Road. If the ice is unsafe, the tournament will be on Saturday, Feb. 9. For details, call 630-876-5931.

Anglers 16 and older who are not legally disabled must have valid Illinois fishing licenses in their possession, and all must follow all District and state regulations and bring their own gear and bait.

There will be 10 prizes: one each for the three longest largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie and a gas-powered auger for the longest overall catch. All registrants will also be in a raffle for ice shelters, augers, a fish finder, rod-and-reel combinations, tip-ups and other ice-fishing gear.

Proceeds from the registration fees will support Forest Preserve District education programs that provide outdoor experiences for special-needs groups, Scouts and community centers in DuPage.

Good things happen when you explore nature at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s 60 forest preserves and five education centers. For ways to experience conservation, education and recreation in your neck of the woods, call 630-933-7200, or visit dupageforest.org.