The Illinois High School Association State Fishing Tournament is underway at Carlyle Lake.
Doug Wasmuth of the US Army Corps of Engineers says teams from around the state arrived in time for practice fishing on Thursday.
“75 boats and 2 unified boats so a total of 77 boats in the field this year definitely the largest we have ever had.”
And Wasmuth says the tournament brings a large number of people to South Central Illinois.
“It’s a huge tourism thing and we are happy to have them here. We didn’t get to do it last year. With 77 teams, families, coaches and stuff a lot of the local motels and restaurants benefits and it’s good to start seeing things get back to normal again.”
Wasmuth says fishing starts at seven both Friday and Saturday morning with weigh-in around three. Trophies will be handed out in a Saturday afternoon ceremony. This is the final year Carlyle Lake has the contract for the state tournament. Bids were taken this winter, but the winner to host next year’s event has not yet been announced.
