In the fall, Will McDonald, senior and captain of Marmion Academy’s bass fishing team, will be headed to Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., chosen in part because of its proximity to Lake Michigan.
But for one more time, next week he will be hard at work preparing fish along with the other 40 members of Marmion Academy’s fishing team to support its annual Lenten fish fry fundraiser.
The fish fry will go from 4 to 7 p.m. March 15, with drive-thru pickup only at the school, 1000 Butterfield Road, Aurora.
Each meal costs $12 and includes three pieces of Sgt. Dotson’s Famous Fried Catfish, french fries, hush puppies, cole slaw and a dinner roll.
Meals must be purchased before March 14 at www.marmion.org.
All proceeds from the event will benefit Marmion’s bass fishing team.
McDonald, of Sugar Grove, said he first caught the fishing bug from his dad.
Joining the Marmion fishing team as a freshman, McDonald counts his experience on the team as one of the highlights of his high school experience, calling the team one of “brotherhood and camaraderie.”
McDonald said he has made friends at many other schools across the state due to his involvement with the sport.
Bass fishing became an IHSA sport in 2009, due in part to the involvement of Marmion Academy Vice Principal and bass fishing team coach Joe Large, school officials said.
In 2018, 290 schools participated in the IHSA bass fishing state series, up from 190 in its initial year as an official high school sport.
“The goal with starting the team was to get kids outdoors more, appreciate the environment and nature, and learn about the skills of fishing,” Large said. “We also try to get the boys involved in service with the DuPage Forest Preserve District.”
The fish fry helps to support the team, and any additional amount raised through the fish fry above the targeted fundraising goal is donated to Hesed House homeless shelter in Aurora, Large said.
Even though bass fishing is a no-cut sport at Marmion, Large said those students who make it to the upper levels of the sport can vie for college scholarships.
The Marmion Academy bass fishing team has developed close bonds with other local bass fishing high school teams such as Batavia, West Aurora and Aurora Central Catholic.
“We do a trip to central Illinois in April together each year,” Large said.
The Marmion bass fishing team also hosts a summer camp for middle school students who are interested in learning about the sport, he said.
In addition to local area restaurants and taverns, throughout the Lenten season other local nonprofits are utilizing the deep fryers to raise money for their organizations.
There is a Knights of Columbus Fish Fry at Holy Angels Church, 120 S. Lancaster Ave., Aurora, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Fridays through April 12. The cost is a $10 donation.
In Maple Park, the American Legion offers an all-you-can-eat fish and chicken buffet on the third Friday of every month at the post at 203 Main St., Maple Park. The cost of the buffet is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors 62 years old and older and $9 for children 9 years old and younger. Carryouts are $13.
In Montgomery, the Montgomery Memorial Post 7452 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars offers a Lenten fish fry buffet on Fridays through Lent from 5 to 8 p.m. at the post, 121 N. River St. The cost is $13.
In Naperville, the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 will host a Friday night fish fry at the post at 908 W. Jackson Ave. through April 19. The fish fry goes from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The cost for adults is $12, for seniors $10, for children $7 and free for children 3 years old and younger.
The Sheridan American Legion holds a fish fry every Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the post, 300 W. Si Johnson Ave. The cost is $8.50. Carryouts are available by calling 815-496-2380.
The Sugar Grove American Legion at 65 First St. sponsors a smelt/chicken fry from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on three Saturdays during Lent: March 16, March 30 and April 13. Carryouts are available by calling 630-466-4747.
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