The Libertyville Fishing Club holds about 18 fishing outings a year in northern Illinois and across Wisconsin. Other club activities are the annual banquet and running the Vernon Hills Park District’s children’s fishing event. The main focus of the club is to provide a platform where members can share fishing knowledge with each other. Each year the club will have speakers (tournament fisherman or guides) at several meetings to talk about new techniques or tips on specific bodies of water. The club also provides for some competition with several contests. The Fisherman of the Year contest is based on points members earn for fish they catch at club outings. The Big Fish award goes to the member who catches the largest fish of the year during any club outing. Our newest contest, the Multi-Species Master, goes to the member with the greatest combined length of five fish of different species caught during club outings. Club members winning these contests get their name on a plaque and can have their club dues paid for.
Libertyville Fishing Club holds monthly meetings at 7:00 pm on the third Wednesday of every month at the Libertyville Township Center, 359 Merrill Court, Libertyville, IL 60048. Meetings are free and open to everyone—come check us out!
Officers
President
Matt Biggerstaff joined the Libertyville Fishing Club in 2020 in pursuit of learning more about the local lakes. He grew up fishing in NW Indiana on Lake Michigan and Trail Creek mostly for Trout and Salmon. After college, fishing took a back seat to other interests until his son Isaac was old enough to start fishing...and it's been in high gear ever since. Matt and Isaac enjoy fishing out of their kayaks on the surrounding lakes and especially nearshore on Lake Michigan. They also enjoy the camaraderie of the fishing club and look forward to many more years of membership.
Vice President
Lou DiNicola joined the Libertyville Fishing Club in 2002 after searching for a club that focused on all species. As a young child growing up in Chicago, his dad often took him fishing for perch on the lakefront with a bamboo pole. Soon he moved up to more sophisticated equipment, boat ownership, and fishing trips all over the country. At this point in life he has come full circle and enjoys mentoring kids about fishing. He would rather see a kid catch his first fish than catch a big one himself.
Treasurer
Al Silcroft loves to fish year round for any species that is biting, but his favorites are walleyes, smallmouth, and northern pike. He enjoys the camaraderie of fishing with friends and has a great time whenever anyone is catching. Just being in the great outdoors is his ultimate adventure.
Secretary
Terry Ocheltree joined the Libertyville Fishing Club (LFC) in 2022, following the footsteps of his son, Justin. Having fond memories of fishing with his father, Terry introduced fishing to his children at a young age. Through LFC Terry is learning how to catch and land fish, not just fish for fish. He enjoys the camaraderie at LFC and knowing that a helping hand can be found at every outing. He is quick to point out that LFC is a club where members do not need to know how to fish for every species or have a boat – only the desire to fish and make friends is needed.
Webmaster
Joseph Finn joined the Libertyville Fishing Club at the tail end of 2023. He is a life-long fisherman and outdoorsman. The love of fishing and enjoyment of God’s country was passed down by his father when he was at a very young age, and this family tradition goes back several generations. While primarily focused on lakes in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, he still enjoys exploring and learning new waters. Bass, walleye, and pike are his main targets, but he is never one to discriminate –respect must be given to any fish that tightens the line. Whether it’s rain or shine, whether limiting out or getting skunked, every day on the water with good friends is what fishing is all about.