GRAFTON — The 37th annual Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair will be held Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pere Marquette State Park near Grafton on Illinois 100, offering free fishing, outdoor activities, and entertainment for families.
“We want to get kids hooked on fishing, and the Family Fishing Fair helps connect kids and families to fun outdoor activities,” said IDNR Urban Fishing Coordinator Scott Isringhausen. “Thanks to our generous sponsors, we can continue offering this free event.”
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Hosted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, the event is designed to connect children and families with fishing and other outdoor activities. There are no admission or parking fees, and no fishing license or gear is required to participate.
The fair marks 37 years at Pere Marquette and has become a longstanding community event, according to Isringhausen.
“I love it,” Isringhausen said of the event. “It has such a tradition.”
Activities will include a catch-and-release bluegill pond, a trout pond, casting stations, fishing instruction, bow-fishing stations with moving and three-dimensional targets, virtual fishing machines, an anglers' tub filled with fish with magnets, and first-fish photos. Children who complete at least seven stations will receive a prize and have a chance to catch trout from the pond. Organizers said every child will leave with a prize.
The event will also feature about 30 outdoor educational activities, law enforcement displays, a 4,000-gallon mobile aquarium stocked with fish species found in the Illinois River, and presentations related to fishing and aquatic life.
Entertainment will include Hall of Fame fisherman Jimmy Houston; Tim Guraedy, known as “Mountain Man” from the television show “Duck Dynasty”; Camo the Clown; music by Steve and Jackie of Outlaw Opry; Twisted Cat Outdoors; Wildheart; and food and beverages.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is hosting the event, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, which is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Event sponsors include the Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery, Farm and Home Supply, the Jersey County Board, Jerseyville Walmart, and the State Farm offices in Jerseyville, Carrollton and Godfrey.
This event is fun for the whole family, and you won't want to miss out! Fishing poles, bait, and any other needed supplies are provided, and there is no need for a fishing license. For more information on the Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair, call Pere Marquette State Park at 618-786-3323, ext. 1.
