At the 29th annual Youth Fishing Derby, a sea of people gathered yesterday around the Lincoln Park lagoon armed with bait and tackle.
Organizer Al Hayden said about 550 registrants signed up for the friendly competition.
Throughout the afternoon, kids ages three to 15 cast their rods with their families.
Each kid who caught a fish got to take their catch to a prize table for a reward. Prizes included Wiffle ball sets, kites and soccer balls — all sorts of outdoor goodies.
Also, a couple bicycles were given away.
Prizes ran out quickly, but families stayed around through the afternoon to enjoy the sweater weather and a day out.
Just after the derby’s 1 p.m. start, Hayden took a look around the lagoons and said he was happy with the turnout.
