Catch the Big One at the Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair

Can you remember seeing your line tighten, your rod bend, and your heart drop from landing your first fish?

Pass that same feeling along to your kids at the Annual Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair.

The fishing fair will be held on Saturday, Oct. 2 at Pere Marquette State Park, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Some of the favorite stations at the Fishing Fair include a catch-and-release bluegill pond, where young anglers can have their photograph taken with their catch; the popular One-Cast station where everyone wins a prize; and the Bow-fishing Stations where children can shoot in a pool or at a 3D target. Every child that completes at least seven stations will receive a prize and have the chance to catch a trout.

Additional entertainment at the Fishing Fair includes the 4,000 gallon mobile aquarium, stocked with fish species found in the Illinois River.

Fishing seminars will be presented by professional anglers all day, including local experts demonstrating a variety of fishing techniques; and food is available for purchase.

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This fair isn’t just for the kids, everyone in attendance will learn knot tying, fish identification, fish cleaning, casting, and many other skills, so Even the most avid of fishermen may pick up a few new techniques.

“We are excited to teach kids how to fish” said Scott Isringhausen, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Urban Fishing Coordinator. “The event has grown each year allowing us to welcome more families thanks to the generous donations from all of our sponsors.”

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The event is hosted by Pere Marquette State Park (administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources) and co-sponsored by Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge (administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) and the Army Corps of Engineers.

For more information, please call (618) 786-3323 or (618) 883-2524.

For other events this weekend, please view our calendar of events.

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