Fishing Program Builds Communities

by Kathy Andrews Wright | August 3, 2026 | People

An elderly woman holds a fishing rod and reel with a fish caught on a hook attached to the fishing line. To women stand next to her. One of the adjacent women helps the elderly woman hold up the fishing rod and reel. In the background is a pond in a park with trees and a quiet street nearby. Two people fish from the pond bank.

Photo by Kathy Andrews Wright.

“Wow, Linda, that’s four fish for you today,” exclaimed Megan Chase, an assistant activity director with a Springfield senior living community. “That’s today’s record!”

A woman places a fish in the hands of an elderly woman. In the background is another woman holding the fishing rod and reel. — Christina Yoc (left) showing a fishing clinic participant the fish she had reeled in. Photo by Kathy Andrews Wright.

Linda was among the participants from The Villas of Holly Brook attending a fishing clinic conducted by Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Conservation Education Representative and Fishing Clinic Instructor Christina Yoc.

Throughout the summers of 2025 and 2026, residents have had the opportunity to sign up for a Friday morning trip to fish at a pond in Washington Park, one of the water bodies IDNR annually stocks for community fishing.

“Fishing has become a popular activity with our residents,” explained activities Director Sherry Sutton. “We have a group of regulars who participate and oftentimes these folks fished when they were young or they took their children fishing. But every week some residents sign up to attend simply because they want to try something new.”

In Sutton’s eyes, these fishing sessions not only stimulate a new, or renewed, interest in fishing but are great opportunities for residents to socialize and keep their minds fresh.

Three elderly people sit on a bench and another elderly woman sits in a wheelchair by the bench. All are looking towards a pond in the background. A few people are fishing from the banks of the pond. Trees are interspersed around the pond. A bright blue sky is overhead. — After spending some time at the shoreline fishing, clinic participants take a break to enjoy a shady seat and just be in nature. Photo by Kathy Andrews Wright.

“We’re outdoors in the fresh air, absorbing vitamin D and having fun,” she noted. “There’s a fair amount of relaxation taking place between the action of reeling in a fish, but there’s also a bit of competition.”

Sutton explained that after every Friday outing past participants ask how many fish were caught. It’s a record that will be hard to break as over a two-hour period one Friday in 2025 a single resident caught 44 fish.

The pond at Washington Park is much more than the location for summer youth and senior fishing clinics sponsored by IDNR. It a popular fishing spot for the entire community and where many children or grandchildren receive an introduction to the sport of fishing.

Sutton appreciates the sense of belonging that comes with fishing.

“It’s not uncommon for other anglers to stop by and speak with participants in the senior clinics,” she said, recalling the day a gentleman walked over to show the residents a catfish he had caught.

Sutton believes that the success of their Friday Fishing Program fully lies with CER Christina Yoc.

“She goes above and beyond during our fishing clinics,” she said, also noting how easily Yoc engages the residents in conversations. “She is kept busy baiting hooks and removing fish, but she does so with great enthusiasm and patience.”

Fishing, Conservation and Community

Yoc’s love of the outdoors began while fishing alongside her father and grandparents in the creeks of Puerto Rico. Those quiet moments by the water left a lasting impression and eventually inspired her to help others discover the same connection.

On a wooden dock over a pond a woman holds up a large green and white fish while two excited young girls stand next to the woman. One of the girls holds the fishing rod and reel. — Photo courtesy of Christina Yoc.

A graduate of Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management, Yoc spent more than 20 years working in veterinary medicine and business management. While her background is in science and animal care and she runs an eco-based wellness retreat, during the summer months she serves as a Conservation Education Representative and Fishing Clinic Instructor with the IDNR, working through the state’s Urban and Community Fishing Program. She joined the program during the 2025 season and is continuing her involvement in 2026, with aspirations of continuing for many years.

Through these clinics she teaches youth, families, seniors and special-needs groups the fundamentals of fishing, aquatic ecology and outdoor ethics.

“These experiences remind me that returning to the basics isn’t a step backward,” she said, noting her joy in providing an environment where learning happens naturally. “Unplugging from the pace of modern life and slowing down are key to discovering the rhythm of the lands and finding balance again.”

Lessons in Nature

A group of children stand on a concrete bridge overlooking a pond and hold fishing rod and reels. All the children are attempting to catch fish. In the background sunlight is dappled on mowed park lawn in between the shade of tall beautiful trees. A bright partly cloudy sky is overhead. — Youth fishing clinic participants lined up along the shoreline at a Washington Park pond waiting on a bite. Photo by Kathy Andrews Wright.

Another day, another fishing clinic with Christina Yoc. But the vibe, and ages of participants, was different.

It was a sweltering June morning at Washington Park with the feels-like temperature expected to hit triple digits. Water bottles lined the walkway and the scent of sunscreen—and excited proclamations from young anglers—filled the air.

“I got a fish!”

“Me, too, it’s my fourth today.”

The attention suddenly shifted to the center of the pond where a large carp circled the fountain in typical spawning fashion.

“I’m going to catch that fish,” one youngster announced. That statement turned into a lesson that a large fish would snap the lightweight line designed for sunfish.

“I almost fell in,” revealed another angler. “If I did I would try to catch that carp with my hands.” That statement became a lesson on how some people hand-fish for catfish.

The questions…and lessons…continued.

“What is the largest fish in the United States?” White sturgeon, followed by alligator gar.

“Do alligators live in Illinois?” “What about sharks?” “Turtles?”

A woman takes a small green fish off the hook while a young girl holds the fishing rod and reel the fish is attached to. In the background are more children and adults fishing off a concrete bridge over a pond. — A spawning carp circling the fountain drew attention and ignited curiosity and questions. Photo by Kathy Andrews Wright.

Yoc unpacked and addressed each question: No alligators in the wild but one pet alligator was found in Chicago a few years ago after being illegally released; no sharks except for the very rarely occurrence of a bull shark that enters the lower stretches of the Mississippi River; and yes, many varieties of turtles live in Illinois, including the common red-eared slider seen surfacing for a breath by shoreline.

Shortly after the barrage of questions from the young anglers, a large bass hit a rod rigged for small sunfish, stunning the student angler and capturing the attention of all the young anglers and supervising adults. That bass got away and only a snapped line was reeled but it became a lesson in how to re-tie and rig a line. Extra emphasis was put on the value of tying a good knot.

A morning of fishing became a memorable and learning experience for these young anglers and the teachable moments brought joy to Christina Yoc.

Get Outdoors!

Three African American woman stand together. In the background is a dry fall shoreline next to a pond. — Photo courtesy of Christina Yoc.

Yoc is also passionate about encouraging more women to explore fishing and outdoor recreation. Her advice for beginners is refreshingly simple: start where you are.

“Just get out in nature and do it,” she said. “Fishing, gardening or spending time outdoors are simple activities help us disconnect from the noise and reconnect with ourselves.”

For those new to fishing, she encourages curiosity over perfection.

“Find what interests you about fishing and go from there,” she continued. “If you’re a social person, invite friends and make a day of it. If you prefer quiet time, go by yourself and enjoy the solitude. Either way, you’re trying something new and recognizing that everyone belongs in nature.”

Yoc encourages everyone to head to a local body of water to find your moments in nature as you’ll find life is better. Your mind is better. Learning takes place. And perhaps as you’re relaxing in the fresh air with a fishing rod in your hands you will feel the tug of fish at the end of your line.

Kathy Andrews Wright retired from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources where she was editor of OutdoorIllinois magazine. She is currently the editor of OutdoorIllinois Journal.