The Muskie Association of Fox Valley and a One Hope United board member hosted an Ice Fishing Derby on Sunday, Feb. 24, for the CARE Day Treatment residents at One Hope United in Lake Villa, Ill.

Twenty fishermen arrived at 6 a.m. with snow mobiles and ATVs to set up the ice-fishing community off the shore of Deep Lake. Nineteen residential boys from ages 10-18 years and seven staff members arrived at 7 a.m. for a safety talk and an ice-fishing lesson.

Board member Cindy Lusignan and volunteers coordinated and donated breakfast and lunch for all who attended, and Amy Ceshker and the CARE team provided support to make the event a success. Cabela’s donated water bottles. World champion ice fisherman Mike McNett attended and donated warm hats. 

The boys said that while at first they did not want to wake up so early Sunday morning and were not sure about spending all that time on the ice, they became converts to the sport and the fun of catching fish.