Salmon Unlimited Inc

09/13/2026

09/13/2026

16th Annual Salmon Unlimited IL Kids Fishing Derby - Waukegan Harbor - September 12, 2026

09/13/2026

Yesterday we had a great day at the Salmon Unlimited IL Kids Derby, hosted at Waukegan Harbor. 123 kids participated, which is a 30% increase from last year! Each child received a tackle package, T-shirt, free lunch and a prize.

Fish that were caught included Northern Pike, Coho Salmon, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill / Sunfish, Perch, Rock Bass, and lots of Gobies. The big fish for the tournament was a 12.4 pound Carp that the winner fought for 45 minutes!

We would like to thank all the generous sponsors and donors who make this event possible:
Waukegan Harbor
Lakeland Elevator
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Zacharias
David Johnson - Amada Senior Care Northern Illinois
Jerry Sappanos
Karl and Gayle Maurer Family
Al Bridgford – Bridgford Foods Corporation
Jim Goebel – Jimmy Flys and Long Gone 3
Eric Rossel - Code F Fishing Team
Dan Wheeler - Kingfin Charters
Fast Forwarding USA
Jim Nelligan – Thermalcraft
Wally Nagel - Class Printing
Patrick & Sean Whippo
Rich Matthews - Musselhead Tackle
Trollers Unlimited
Mike Moyer – MosquitOasis Personal Sleep Sanctuary
Fresh Lures USA
Jim Ziebka
Barbara Sloothaak
Alice Solis - AFS Counseling Services
Waukegan Tire
Rob Wendel - Lake Michigan Angler
Lee's Global Tackle
Team Sailfish
Team My Lady

09/09/2026

At last night's meeting, we were visited by Allie Johnson who is a graduate student at the University of Illinois, and who will be working on an Urban Fishing Participation Project in cooperation with IL/IN Sea Grant. For this project, Allie is looking for input from adult recreational anglers who fish in southern Lake Michigan and nearby inland waterways (rivers, tributaries, ponds, marinas, and boat launches) in Illinois and Indiana.

This project focuses on understanding and increasing participation in urban recreational fishing. The results aim to help agencies and local communities improve access, prioritize improvements in infrastructure, and enhance communication strategies to increase fishing participation among current and new urban audiences.

If you would like to help Allie with this project, please reach out to her via email at: [email protected]

09/09/2026

For those of you who missed it, here is a recap from last night’s meeting.
- Captain Jason Baldwin of Top Dog Charters was our speaker last night. The video of his presentation is posted on the Members Only page.
- We are up to 483 members.
- The Kids Derby is this Saturday. If you plan on having your kids participate, please register online on our website ASAP. https://www.salmonunlimitedinc.com/kids
- Club elections will be held at the November meeting. If you would like to serve on the board, please come to our October meeting and talk to us so that we may get you on the ballot.

09/04/2026

You do not want to miss our next meeting, Tuesday, September 8th at 7:30pm. Captain Jason Baldwin of Top Dog Charters will be the speaker. Jason has over 45 years experience fishing Lake Michigan. He earned his Captain's license at the age of 19, and is also an accomplished tournament angler.

Our meetings are FREE and open to the public. We meet at T-Woods Restaurant, 1051 N Wood Dale Rd, Wood Dale, IL.

09/02/2026

This year’s Kids Derby is Saturday, September 12th, at Waukegan Harbor, 55 S Harbor Pl, Waukegan, IL 60085. Doors open at 6am. Fishing starts at 7am. Please pre-register on our website at: https://www.salmonunlimitedinc.com/kids

This event is FREE to all the participants. Each child will receive bait and tackle, a T-shirt, lunch and a prize.

08/26/2026

John V. Scigala, 73, of Warrenville, passed away August 23, 2026. Beloved husband of Nan Mullin Scigala; loving brother of the late Henry Scigala and sister-in-law Karen Cartwright, Elizabeth (Bill) Scigala Lamb, James (Bernadette) Scigala; proud uncle of Jimmy Scigala and Katy Cartwright-Halperin, and great uncle of Sydney.

John was an adventurer and fishing was his passion. He was an avid member of Salmon Unlimited and seized every opportunity to be on the water, John also took great pride in his garden; always looking for the "perfect bargain". John loved family and would do anything for them. He was truly a people person. He built many strong relationships over the years, and he will be deeply missed. John was a natural storyteller, we will all miss his lively tales, endless texts and YouTube videos that kept us laughing. GONE FISHING. CATCH YOU LATER, JOHN.

Visitation Monday August 31, 2026, from 3 to 9 p.m. at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home 430 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187. Additional visitation Tuesday from 10 a.m. until Words of Remembrance at 10:30 a.m.at the funeral home. Interment to follow at Assumption Cemetery Wheaton, IL. Info @ www.williams-kampp.com or (630) 668-0016. In lieu of flowers donations appreciated to the Will County Humane Society @ https://www.willcountyhumane.com/

https://www.williams-kampp.com/obituaries/John-V-Scigala?obId=49384023&utm_source=copy+url&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=obituary-share&utm_content=copy+url

View John V. Scigala's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/24/2026

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that SU board member John Scigala has unexpectedly passed away. When arrangements for memorial services have been made, we will post that information here.

08/24/2026

The SU IL Club Tournaments have concluded for the year. First and foremost, we would like to thank our sponsors who make all this possible.

Traxstech Corporation
State Farm Insurance / Brian PinkStaff
Lake Michigan Angler / Rob Wendel
Fish Lake Co / Simon Schwindt
Jensen Excavating / Chris Jensen

This past Saturday we were able to get in our last of five club tournaments. The weather was rougher than we had hoped, but luckily there were fish in close, and no one needed to make a long run to find fish.

The day ended with Capt. Jim Parquette and Team Ezperanza taking 1st place for the day. Taking 2nd place and securing top rookie boat for the day was Team NETworking headed up by Capt. Tony Boshold. Taking 3rd place was Team Follow Me captained by Kevin Massard. 4th place and the small boat award went to Team My Lady captained by Brian Hameder. 5th place went to Team Live Each Day and Capt. Steve Ruggiero. Team 100 Proof captained by William Plessner secured the big target fish prize with an 8-pound coho, and they won the big three prize.

Overall, the end the year standings were similar to how boats placed in the last tournament. Team Ezperanza won Boat of the Year honors with a 400-point perfect season. Congratulations on a fantastic season. Team Nauti Donzi captained by Andy Knapp secured 2nd place and Team Follow Me captained by Kevin Massard won 3rd place. Well done guys, great season and congratulations again. Team My Lady and Capt. Brian Hameder won the Small Boat Award. Our Rookie Boat of the Year was Team NETworking captained by Tony Boshold.

The big fish for the year was a 24-pound king salmon caught by Team Luna captained by Vaidas Vlba.

Congratulations to all our winners and great year. We are already looking forward to next year.