All About That Bass: Mokena Man Wins Fishing Contest

MOKENA, IL — Fishermen are known for their whoppers, sometimes about the fish they caught and sometimes about the fish that got away. Those fish tales can take on a life of their own, until a minnow turns into a marlin. Not so for Mokena resident Rick Dahlman, who has the bona fides to back up his claim as the top bass fisherman in the Forest Preserve District of Will County.

Dahlman took first place in the bass category in the Forest Preserve's Big Fish Contest for the walloping 21.5-inch bass he reeled in at Monee Reservoir, according to a news release from the Forest Preserve. The contest ran from July 1 to Aug. 31.

Other winners from the Big Fish Contest included:

• Dan Burklow of Park Forest, biggest catfish winner, 29 inches.
• Dwayne Dooley of Chicago, biggest panfish, 10.75 inches.
• Denny Bruns of Crete, random winner selected from all entries, 10.75 inches, perch.

Winners received a fishing T-shirt, a free all-day boat rental and a $100 Forest Preserve gift card, according to the news release.

Plus, they all have bragging rights and the proof to back up their fish tales.

For more information on Forest Preserve District of Will County, visit its website.

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