The first weekend of the 36th annual Kankakee River Fishing Derby brought prizes for three fisherman who reeled in tagged fish. The derby continues thru Sunday, July 7. It’s sponsored by the Northern Illinois Anglers Association.

Thomas Palhegyi caught a tagged fish sponsored by the Bourbonnais Friendship Festival with a $500 cash prize.

Jeff Hanson caught a fish sponsored by the Wilmington Free Press with a prize of $500 in fishing equipment.

Evan Legacy caught the Security Lumber sponsored fish. The prize of $500 in merchandise is redeemable at Security Lumber in Bradley.

Organizers of the Derby this year added flathead catfish to the Big Board. Leading that category is James Merritt, of Braidwood, with a 23-pound, 11-ounce entry.

Other info is available at the Derby website, kankakeefishingderby.com.

94.1 WGFA