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"The free fishing clinics held in communities throughout Illinois
help introduce young people to the fun of fishing," said Department
of Natural Resources Acting Director Sam Flood. "Once they give
fishing a try, we think youngsters will be hooked on a great way to
spend time outdoors."
The free
Urban Fishing Program clinics are targeted toward children ages
16 and younger, but anyone interested in learning basic fishing
techniques may attend.
"The Urban Fishing Program is one of the most popular programs we
offer," said Herb Dreier, central Illinois program coordinator with
the Department of Natural Resources. "Each year we provide thousands
of children with a chance to enjoy fishing and help them to
experience nature and the outdoors."
Fishing clinic instructors present information on fish and other
aquatic life, rules and regulations for fishing, as well as basic
instruction on baiting a hook, tying a knot, casting, and how to
handle and return fish to the water. As part of each clinic,
participants are provided with rods, reels, bait and tackle for 90
minutes of catch-and-release fishing.
The clinics are presented on weekdays during the late spring and
summer months at 40 locations throughout the state. In addition to
the scheduled clinics outlined below, fishing clinics can also be
arranged for Scouts, seniors, civic clubs and groups with special
needs.
Science and physical education teachers interested in starting a
fishing program in their schools can also contact the IDNR urban
fishing coordinator in their area to get more information.
"Fishing is a great activity any time of year, but it is
especially fun for PE classes and other school groups toward the end
of the school year," Dreier said.
The Illinois
Urban Fishing Program was introduced in Chicago in
1985 to teach individuals of all ages to fish, to provide better
local fishing opportunities and to give participants an
understanding of and a greater appreciation for natural resources.
The backbone of the program consists of free summer fishing clinics
that include fishing at nearby stocked ponds. Urban Fishing Program
coordinators also conduct non-fishing programs in conservation
education and visit schools during the fall, winter and spring to
teach and promote fishing and the appreciation of natural resources.
The Access to Fishing program provides loaner fishing gear to
anglers of all ages. The loan program provides the opportunity to
borrow rods, reels and tackle packs. Participating loaner locations
include many public libraries, park and forest preserve districts,
bait shops, recreation departments, and other locations. A list of
sites offering access to fishing gear is available by calling
217-782-6424 or checking
www.ifishillinois.org.
The schedule of 2007 Urban Fishing clinic dates, locations and
contact information is listed below:
Chicago area
June 21-Aug. 24
Contact: Brenda McKinney, 847-294-4137
Northern Illinois
June 14-Aug. 10
-
Riverside Park,
Moline; call Moline Park District, 309-736-5714
-
Butterworth Park,
East Moline (Thursdays only); call 309-755-5224
-
Glen Oak Park Lagoon,
Peoria; call Peoria Park District, 309-681-2865
-
Levings Lake,
Rockford; call 815-625-2968
-
Big Pond, Boone
County Conservation District, Belvidere; call 815-624-2968
-
Mill Race Ponds,
Belvidere; call 815-625-2968
Contact: Dan Sallee, 815-625-2968
[to top of second column] |
 Central Illinois
June 4-Aug. 3
-
Miller Park,
Bloomington; call 309-434-2260
-
Crystal Lake Park,
Urbana (June 12-Aug. 4 only); call 217-367-1544
-
Fairview Park,
Decatur; call 217-422-5911
-
Washington Park,
Springfield; call 217-753-0700
Contact: Herb Dreier, 217-935-6860, ext. 238, or 217-622-4266
Southern Illinois
June 4-Aug. 3
-
Veterans Park Lake,
Mount Vernon (June 4-July 3 only); call 618-242-6890
-
Foundation Park Pond,
Centralia (July 5-Aug. 3 only; call 618-532-4311
-
SIU Campus Lake,
Carbondale; call 618-453-6088
-
Jones Lake at Kenneth
Hall Park, East St. Louis; call 618-874-3600 or 618-444-0388
-
Gordon Moore Park
Lake, Alton; call 618-462-1181
Contact: Mark Yehling, 618-462-1181
Illinois State Fair
Aug. 10-19
- Conservation World -- five clinics daily
Contact: Herb Dreier, 217-935-6860, ext. 238, or 217-622-4266
DuQuoin State Fair
Aug. 25-Sept. 3
- Conservation Village Aquatic Area -- daily clinics
Contact: Mark Yehling, 618-462-1181
Southern Illinois Hunting and Fishing Days
Sept. 22-23
- IDNR Aquatic Area, John A. Logan College, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. both
days
Several additional clinic opportunities will again be available
this year. Prospective participants should phone ahead for
information on the following clinic locations and schedules:
Northwest Illinois clinics
-
Lost Nation Lake,
Dixon; call Jerry Sellers, 815-652-3761
-
Lutheran Outdoor
Ministries Camp, Oregon; call Tim Benedict, 815-732-2220
Central Illinois clinics
-
Charleston Park and
Recreation Department, Charleston; 217-345-6897
-
Eastview Christian
Church, Bloomington; 309-662-9376
-
Kennekuk Cove County
Park, Danville; 217-442-1691
-
Human Resources
Center, Paris; 217-465-4118
-
McLean County
Conservation District, Hudson; 309-726-2022
-
Pittsfield Park
District, Pittsfield; 217-285-4484
-
Quincy Parks
Department, Quincy; 217-223-7703
-
Taylorville Park
District, Taylorville; 217-824-3110
-
Watseka Park
District, Watseka; 815-432-3931
-
Weldon Springs State
Park, Clinton; 217-935-0373
Southern Illinois clinics
-
Granite City Park
District, Granite City; 618-877-3059
-
O'Fallon Parks and
Recreation, O'Fallon; 618-624-0139
-
Shawnee Community
College "Fish Tales," Ullin; 618-524-2270
[Text from news release from
the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources] |
