Event calendar

Fish Tales Photo Contest: Hidden Lakes Trout Farm

Event information

Date: Monday, July 1, 2024

Time: 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Fee: Free!

Age: All ages.

Contact: 815-722-4121

Location: Hidden Lakes Trout Farm at Hidden Oaks Preserve


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A teen holding a just caught fish in front of a lake. Photo by Anthony Schalk

Event details

This ongoing event will be held from Monday, July 1, to Saturday, Aug. 31. Preserve hours are 6 a.m. to sunset.

Tell your personal fish tale by competing in the Fish Tales Photo Contest. It doesn’t take the biggest fish to win, just the luckiest. Register your catch with a photo submission. Photo submission stations are posted along the shoreline for the duration of the contest. Rules and contest details are posted at submission stations. If you have questions, you can ask staff at the concessions window.

Every submission is a chance to brag and win a $50 Forest Preserve gift card. Winners will be drawn at random from all submissions in three categories: catfish, bass and panfish. A fourth prize will be awarded to the photo that makes us smile, chosen by staff from all submissions and voted as the Staff Pick! The Forest Preserve encourages catch and release.

Event requirements

No registration required.

The concessions buildings, shorelines, boat dock and sidewalks are accessible. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service to participate in this program should submit a request online no later than 48 hours before the program.