Natalie Phelps Finnie, Director   |   JB Pritzker, Governor   |    

2023 Upcoming Sport Shows and Events

June 2023

• June 10  Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair
  Pere Marquette State Park
  10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

  The 34rd Annual Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair will be held Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 10AM to 4PM. For more than 30 years, the free Fishing Fair has been one of Pere Marquette's most popular family events, featuring catch-and-release fishing, casting stations, fishing instruction, information, and entertainment. The event is hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge (administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), and Pere Marquette State park (administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources). Dozens of local businesses and volunteers support the fair.

  This event if fun for the whole family and you won't want to miss out! For more information on the Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair, call Pere Marquette State Park at 618-786-3323, ext. 1.

• June 17  Kids' Fishing Derby
  Weldon Springs State Park
  9:00 – 11:00 AM

  Weldon Springs State Park will offer a Kids' Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 17, 2023 to celebrate Free Fishing Days. This year's event is sponsored by The Weldon Springs Foundation and Boy Scout Troop 142. Registration will begin at 8:30 AM at the concession area. The derby will run from 9 AM to 11 AM. Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places for number of fish caught from the bank in three age divisions: 6 and under, 7-8-9, and 10-11-12. There is no registration fee. No experience is needed and volunteers will be on hand to assist participants. In the case of heavy rain or lightning, the event will be cancelled.

  Free Fishing Days is an opportunity for those who want to give fishing a try, or those who haven't fished for awhile, to experience the fun of one of our most popular forms of outdoor recreation. Young people and adults alike can discover the joys of fishing and develop an appreciation for our lakes, rivers and streams and the wildlife in and around them. Illinois and non-resident anglers can fish without purchasing annual fishing licenses, salmon stamps or inland trout stamps during the four-day Free Fishing Days promotion June 16-19, 2023.

  For more information please call the park office at 217-935-2644.

IFishIllinois lists only fishing-related events. See here for a complete listing of IDNR events.