Archives of Past "Carp Fishing in Illinois" News
October 2010 through November 2009

Lily Cache Carp Tournament gives up just a few, small carp

A big "thank you" to those who participated in the October 30 Lily Cache Carp Tournament! What is especially appreciated are those who commit to an event and actually fulfill that commitment. As has been the case for the past two years and despite relatively warm, but windy, weather, the venue was very headstrong about giving up its carp. Although we caught almost twice as many fish as were captured last year and although everyone had at least one run, "small, few and, far between" best describes the carp. This will probably be the last time Lily Cache is used as a venue. Nevertheless, the participation and commitment by those who attended are valued.

Frank Rink took first in the total weight division with 14 lbs., 9 oz., and Jim Rink took second place money with 11 lbs., 11 oz. A 9 lb., 6 oz. carp won big fish honors for Frank Rink. Click here for photos and results.

Anglers wanted for J-Town Frozen 40's
Carp League, Joliet, Illinois
November 6, 2010 - March 26, 2011

This 10-session winter league will begin on November 6 at Bicentennial Park in Joliet, Illinois. There is still room for more anglers, but time is short. If interested, let CARPBOWL know on the CAG forum or on the Carp Fishing in Illinois Message Board. Click here for more information and tournament rules.

Welcome to Carp Fishing in Illinois!

I am disappointed that the MCAA website has been discontinued, but I still think there is a place here for information about Illinois carp fishing. In fact, we can now expand this site to include other organizations and events. In the future, I will be happy to include information about all Illinois events and tournaments, including events sponsored by CAG, the WCCL, the MWCL, the JTF40CL, the MCAA, and any others. Just e-mail me or PM me on our own message board or on the CAG site. I look forward to hearing from you.--Frank Rink

Frank Rink, Branko Kirincic, Paul Sander "catch" 2010 MCAA Summer Series prizes!

MCAA's annual Summer Series concluded on September 6 with some nice fish recorded. Dr. Frank Rink won the $50 Visa gift card by capturing the first 30 pounder of the season (31-0) on May 19 at the Lincoln Park Rowing Lagoon in Chicago. The Biggest Common Carp prize ($100) went to Branko Kirincic for his July 10, 34 pound, 9 ounce common caught from the Chicago River. Frank Rink's 15-9 Mirror Carp pulled from the "T" at Two Rivers, WI on April 11 won him $100 for top Mirror. And, finally, Paul Sander took home $100 for the biggest (16-14) Grass Carp netted on June 19 at a retention pond in Carol Stream, IL. A couple nice entries were disallowed because submission guidelines were not followed, so make sure the simple rules are followed carefully in future contests. Thanks to all who participated!

Click here for more results from the event!

Paul Scott wins 2nd Annual MCAA Illinois River Challenge™

MCAA wishes to thank the 16 competitors who traveled to Ottawa, IL on July 31st to participate in the 2nd Annual MCAA Illinois River Challenge™. Congratulations to Paul Scott who took the tournament's top prize with 166 pound, 7 ounces of carp. Mike Olinger was second (156-7) and Larry Hemmens was third (101-10). 129 commons and grassies were weighed in for a total of 726 pounds, 9 ounces. 112 were commons; 17 were grassies. Thanks to all!

Click here for more results from the event!

Over 472 pounds of carp caught at 1st Annual MCAA Chi-Town Carp Classic™ on May 2, 2010

The MCAA continues its "snakebitten" status as far as heavy bites on tournament days are concerned, but the May 2, 2010 MCAA Chi-Town Carp Classic™ made some headway as 10 of the 13 participants managed to catch some carp.

It wasn't the typical frequent bite and big fish venue, but the Lincoln Park Rowing Lagoon did yield 37 carp weighing a total of 472 pounds, 14 ounces.

Winners were Mike Olinger-1st total weight and 3rd, big fish; Juan Serrano-1st, big fish and 3rd, total weight; Ed Montgomery-2nd, big fish; and Frank Rink-2nd, total weight

Thanks to the following who participated in the May 2, 2010 MCAA Chi-Town Carp Classic™: Sam Snow, Mike Olinger, Dan Ramir, Juan Serrano, Frank Rink, Jim Rink, Paul Wells, Tracy Jourdan, Branko Kirincic, Larry Seeman, Paul Scott, Ed Montgomery, Bogdan Bucur.

Click here for more results and nearly 30 photos from the event!


Mike Olinger wins April 17, 2010 MCAA Rock River Valley Challenge

It was a "Battle of the Popcans" on April 17, 2010 at Levings Lake in Rockford, IL, but Mike Olinger caught a sackful of those 2-3 pound fish and was named gold medalist of the event with nearly 50 pounds and over 15 fish.

Larry Seeman had to interrupt his tournament participation to run to Walmart for another rod/reel combo after one of his rigs was pulled into the lake while he was weighing a fish. Nevertheless, Larry took second place in the event.

Fred Rhodes caught the big fish of the day by far at 9+ pounds, and that served as an excellent foundation for his bronze medal finish in the event.

Click here for more photos and resuts from the event!

Team Larry Seeman and Dennis Davis topple all comers in March 20, 2010 Steel City Challenge™

Despite some tough, wintery conditions, fish were caught at the March 20, 2010 MCAA Steel City Challenge™.  Congratulations to the team of Larry Seeman (right in photo) and Dennis Davis (seated in photo) who took home the first place winnings with a total weight of 44+ pounds! Dennis and Larry pulled in a 16+ with less than a half hour to go to easily out-distance the field. Cory Bohman and Mike Deets won second place money with 30 lbs., 2 oz.. Mike Olinger and Charlie rounded out the top three teams with 27 lbs., 4 oz. Mike Olinger won the big fish pot and World Classic Baits goodies with a very nice 22-4. Mike Olinger and Sam Snow won the raffle for $50 Wacker Bait and Tackle gift certificates. Thanks to all who participated!

Click here for more photos and resuts from the event!

Paul Pezalla, Dan Ramir take top spots in 2010 MCAA Winter Tournament

The 2010 MCAA Winter Tournament resulted in records for number of participants and poundage of carp captured. Big Four Division fish totaled over 1,039 pounds with an average of 17+ pounds per fish. The Big Fish Division yielded eight winter monsters in the mid-twenties range. The average weight of a Big Fish submission was almost 21 pounds.

Dan Ramir took Big Four honors with 94 pounds, two ounces! Andy Burnagiel also brought in four fish weighing in excess of 90 pounds, and he placed 2nd in the Big Four tournament. Ed Montgomery rounded out the top three prizewinners with a sack of carp weighing 83-9. Dr. Paul Pezalla's 27 pounder caught in early February held on for the top spot in the Big Fish Division and edged the 26-5 caught by Paul Wells. Dan Ramir's 25-14 placed third.

MCAA Winter Tournament Director Frank Rink reported that 16 anglers participated in the tournament. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all participants. Click here for more information and photos from the event.


Dr. Paul Pezalla
27-0 Big Fish
Dan Ramir
Big 4 Total - 94-2


Frank Rink wins 3rd Annual MCAA Thanksgiving Challenge

Third in 2007, second in 2008, and first in 2009, Frank Rink (pictured at right in photo) was fortunate to draw Peg #1 in the Third Annual MCAA Thanksgiving Challenge and take home not only the total weight (80 lbs., 8 oz.) prize money but also winnings for the first angler to reach 50 pounds and for the big fish of the day at 15 pounds, 4 ounces.

Rob Gutierrez (pictured at left in photo), fishing from Peg 20 at the other end of the tournament peg system, took second place with 31 pounds, 4 ounces, and a catch in the last half hour of the tournament that vaulted him into that second place slot.

2008 Thanksgving Tournament winner Mike Olinger (pictured in middle in photo), who drew Peg 19, rounded out the top three with 28 pounds, 10 ounces.

Click here for more information and nearly 60 photos from the November 28th MCAA Thanksgiving Challenge!

Trevor Burgess takes 2nd Annual Lily Cache Shootout

Nineteen anglers caught only 7 fish equating to 35 pounds of carp at the 2nd Annual Lily Cache Shootout held November 1 at Bolingbrook, IL. A two inch deluge just two days prior to the event and a morning cold front dipping to 32° kept the bite to a minimum, although the day ended at a pleasant 55°.

Match angler Trevor Burgess caught well over half the total weight and won the event with three fish totaling 19 pounds. Trevor also took big fish of the day honors with a nice 10-14. Cory Bohmann took second place honors and Dan Ramir finished third. Thanks to those who attended on a day when bites were scarce.

Click here for more information and over 30 photos from the November 1st Lily Cache Shootout!