The family of fishing: The Van Cleaves earn Fishes of the Week for fishing during the pandemic

Kimberly Van Cleave with a nice largemouth bass from Tampier Lake. | Provided

Call it Family Fishes of the Week.

“During these unprecedented times my family and I were able to get out and do a little social distancing at some of our local fishing holes,” Ed Van Cleave emailed.

Grace Van Cleave with her first walleye, caught at Tampier Lake.

The family from Beverly caught an eclectic mix, as shown here, from nearby waters.

At Tampier Lake, daughter Grace caught her first walleye; son Charlie caught a 30-inch northern pike from Wolf Lake; mom Kimberly caught a nice largemouth bass at Tampier; and, on opening day Friday at William Powers State Recreation Area (Wolf Lake), Ed added a 21-inch largemouth and a 13.5-inch smallmouth bass (pictured).

Charlie Van Cleave with a nice northern pike from Wolf Lake at William Powers State Recreation Area.

FOTW, the celebration of big fish and their stories (the stories matter) around Chicago fishing, runs Wednesdays in the Sun-Times. Submit nominations by message on Facebook (Dale Bowman), on Twitter (@BowmanOutside) and Instagram (@BowmanOutside) or email (BowmanOutside@gmail.com).

Ed Van Cleave with a nice smallmouth bass from Wolf Lake during reopening day at William Powers State Recreation Area.