Fishing in Illinois-Sports Shows

2025 Sport Shows and Events

April 17 Pond Management Seminar; 5:00PM
McCully Heritage Project, 592 Crawford Creek Road, Kampsville, IL 62053

Join Illinois Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Biologist, Blake Ruebush for a free and open-to-the-public Pond Management Seminar on April 17, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The seminar will be held at the McCully Heritage Project property and will have outdoor classroom and outdoor field components. Topics that will be covered include: Pond site selection, general construction, pond maintenance, fish species and stocking, aquatic plant control, and more.

There is no fee to attend this event, however registration is required. This is an outdoor event so be sure to dress for the weather. To register: https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/pond-management-seminar

August 7 – 17 Illinois State Fair
Conservation World, Springfield, Illinois

Come visit the IDNR at the Illinois State Fair. The Division of Fisheries is on-hand daily, providing fishing clinics and demonstrations throughout the day. We will also have the live fish display, Touch a Fish for kids of all ages, a kid's pond fishing and the fishing clinics. In addition, IDNR Fisheries Biologists are available to answer questions about private pond management and the fish population in your favorite lakes and rivers. Plans are still underway so be sure to check back for fishing clinic times and more information.

To learn more, visit their website at: https://statefair.illinois.gov/