Youth Muskie Hunt on Silver Lake

Trevor Bushnick, 1st place winner of the Lac Vieux Desert, Wisconsin Youth Muskie Hunt

Trevor Bushnick, 2008 1st place winner of the Lac Vieux Desert, Wisconsin Youth Muskie Hunt

On June 26, 2009, from 5 a.m.-6 p.m. the Fox River Valley Muskies fishing club of Illinois in conjunction with the Village of Silver Lake will host a “Youth Muskie Hunt.”

Participants range in age from 9-15, with several belonging to the Silver Lake Middle School Fishing Club. This event will focus fishing as a family sport with more than 20 father & son fishing teams participating. Organizers of this event are Police Chief Daniel Kingsley and Kevin Bushnick, Youth Fishing Director for the Illinois Fox River Valley Chapter of Muskies Inc. Kevin is also a licensed Captain with the US Coast Guard and places a high priority on boating safety and etiquette during these youth fishing events.

The event will also focus on the importance of fishing as it relates to conservation. On the education front will be Michelle Groves, Director of Research & Education for the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation. Located in between Dundee and Elgin Illinois, McGraw is a world-class, federally protected Wildlife Foundation specializing in fisheries research.

According to Bushnick, each father & son and in some cases father & daughter fishing team will be accompanied by a professional fishing guide.

“They will seek out one of the largest and most difficult fish to catch in fresh water, the muskellunge,” he said. “This fish is known as “the fish of 10,000 casts” because it is so elusive to the angler. Muskies in some cases can grow to lengths of 50 inches or more and for certain represent the thrill of a lifetime for those fortunate enough to hook into one. For the Muskie, particular emphasis is placed on ‘catch, photograph & release’ so that others may experience what it’s like to catch one of these spectacular fish. It can take up to twenty years to grow a 50-inch Muskie.”

Additionally, several camera boats on the water will film for a Fox River Valley Muskie TV show.

“Hopefully, a youngster will be captured on film catching one of these monster fish,” said Bushnick. “That’s right, someone in the group just may be the next superstar TV-fisherman.”

Local sponsors for the day include the Silver Lake Dairy Queen, The Peoples Bank of Silver Lake, and the BP Station. Additional sponsors include MuskyTales Online, Frank’s Custom Rods, Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops.

Prizes, which will be awarded at noon, include a custom-made youth Muskie fishing rod, special Muskie tackle boxes, first-aid kits, lures, and lake map. The grand-prize winner receives a day of filming and fishing at the McGraw Wildlife complex on a dedicated tiger-Muskie lake!

The response to the event has been overwhelming and is filled to capacity.

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3 Comments

  1. Bobby Bergeron says:

    Where do we get more details to register for this event?

  2. Miriam says:

    Trevor’s grandma is my first cousin. We’ve watched Trevor grow up into a fine young man and this “catch” has made us very proud of him.
    Miriam

  3. Jessica says:

    Nice Fish Trevor!

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