Prairie State Wire

Visitors to the Illinois State Fair are invited to explore a variety of new and long-standing fish- and fishing-related activities and exhibits in Conservation World during the final weekend of the 2024 Illinois State Fair, which closes on August 18.

"We have all the traditional favorites, including youth fishing and the giant aquarium filled with native fish, but we've also added some new things this year, including a sea lamprey, a catfish raceway, and fishing opportunities for anglers with disabilities," said Kevin Irons, assistant fisheries chief for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), which hosts Conservation World during the fair every year.

Conservation World, a 30-acre park in the northwest corner of the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It features various family-friendly outdoor activities, shows, demonstrations, learning opportunities, sensory hours, games, music, food, and shade. The Illinois State Fair tram stops at the main entrance to Conservation World.

Fish- and fishing-related activities and exhibits fairgoers will find in Conservation World this year include:

2,800-gallon aquarium

Visitors to the Fisheries Tent can marvel at the 28-foot-long, 2,800-gallon aquarium filled with native fish species such as alligator gar, muskie, catfish, and bass. Additional aquariums in the tent are filled with native fish and reptiles.

Fishing Has No Boundaries

IDNR staff and volunteers with Fishing Has No Boundaries assist fairgoers who need help enjoying an angling experience from an accessible dock near the Fisheries Tent. Motorized reels are available for those with mobility issues. Interested participants can sign up at the Fisheries Tent.

Sea lamprey

Fairgoers can observe a sea lamprey—a parasitic fish found in the Great Lakes known for its sharp teeth that allow it to attach to host fish. Sea lampreys have caused significant harm to Great Lakes sportfishing.

Copi®

The Flippin' Fish Shack offers Copi tacos and burgers. Copi is now a registered trademark name for invasive carp found abundantly in Illinois waterways. It serves as a healthful protein source that is responsibly caught and locally sourced.

Record-breaking catches

New banners in the Fisheries Tent highlight record catches of sportfish in Illinois and North America. Some records are held by residents of Illinois.

Youth fishing clinics

Young visitors can participate in family fishing clinics at various times throughout each day at Conservation World's pond near its main entrance or from one of IDNR's large ponds behind the Fisheries Tent.

Fly-fishing instruction

Free fly-fishing classes are offered Friday through Sunday at noon, 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m., with registration required at the Fisheries Tent due to limited space.

Fly-tying demos

Demonstrations on how to tie flies will be conducted throughout Friday through Sunday within the Fisheries Tent.

Pond management

IDNR biologists will be available daily in the Fisheries Tent to answer questions about pond management practices among other related topics.