Youth Fishing in the Shawnee

Spring comes early to the Shawnee with its shocks of redbuds and unpredictable weather. As the days grow longer and warmer, school children grow restless for the summer break. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) Division of Fisheries prepares its seasonal workers for the summer ahead.

Founded in 1985 in Chicago, the IDNR’s Urban and Community Fishing Program provides access to outdoor recreation and conservation opportunities for historically underserved, urban communities across the state. Staffed by seasonal help from early-June through the end of August, the program has inspired generations of young Illinoisans to explore the natural resources of our prairie state.

I have been a Conservation Education Representative for the last decade and seen the Urban Fishing Program in southern Illinois grow and adapt to changes in our region. In recent years, the program has served around 1,000 school-age students each summer; that number continues to grow.

When I tell people about my role, I often hear “Southern Illinois; that’s not “urban,” which is true. Surrounded by national forest, sandstone bluffs, lakes, rivers and trails, southern Illinois is a destination for nature-lovers everywhere.

Still, we have populations with limited access to outdoor recreation opportunities. And, while we don’t have the concentrated population centers of Chicagoland, the State Capitol, or the Metro East, we do have a dedicated network of community partners who believe in the region and work to instill in our youth the values of land stewardship and resource conservation.

Our Partners

Giant City State Park’s Site Interpreter Jeniffer Rudolph is responsible for various on-site programs throughout the year. She partners with U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the National Park Service, and community organizations to lead fun, educational activities for kids. Over the last five summers, we have partnered on fishing programs at Giant City State Park for local groups like the African American Museum’s summer camp, Carbondale’s “I Can Read” camp, and Scouting America. Through these programs, our network of engaged community partners continues to expand, helping us better serve the diverse populations in our region.

Southern Illinois University’s Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center has also been a steadfast partner through the years. In its mission to “enhance the lives of all people through outdoor experiences,” the center has often incorporated fishing in both their day and overnight camps. Camp Little Giant, an overnight camp for individuals with disabilities, the Illinois State Police’s overnight “Team Illinois State Police Camp,” and many nature-themed day camps have taken advantage of the program, offering fishing opportunities for campers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

The grand reopening of the Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River Wetland Center in January of 2026 promises exciting new fishing opportunities for youth groups in the southern-seven counties. Natural Resources Coordinator, Sydney Waters, has already offered a variety of nature-inspired youth activities at the Wetlands Center, including story hours, amphibian hikes and exhibits on the reintroduction of alligator gar to the Cache. The Center has several fishing locations and paved trails that are ideal for groups who want to explore the cypress-tupelo swamps unique to the region.

Finally, our library partners provide regular community outreach. Carterville’s Anne West Library holds kids’ story hours paired with fishing excursions that allow youth time to practice the real-world skills of stringing fishing poles, baiting hooks, identifying species, and catching and releasing fish. Similar library initiatives at the Sallie Logan Library in Murphysboro and the Carbondale Public Library successfully promote outdoor recreation in exciting, hands-on ways.

These libraries have partnered over the years with the IDNR’s fishing pole rental program as well. Library card holders can check out fishing gear provided by the State of Illinois and take advantage of our region’s many fisheries. Partner libraries in our region include Murphysboro, Carbondale, Carterville, Marion, Benton, West Frankfort, Du Quoin, Ullin and Vienna.

Where We Fish

Lake Murphysboro State Park offers some of the most accessible, and yout-friendly fishing around. With several fishing piers accessible by the main parking lot, clean facilities, and a playground, the park is an excellent place for parents and children to enjoy the outdoors.

Partnering with the park district, we have held free weekly fishing lessons on site for the past five summers. These lessons have grown in participation, often serving 20-30 youth a week in recent summers. We will continue the program this summer on Mondays and Wednesdays in July.

As a nationally certified arboretum, Southern Illinois University’s campus lake also offers a picturesque setting for anglers. The abundant tree, fish, reptile, amphibian and bird species introduce youngsters to the complex ecosystems of southern Illinois.

Carbondale Reservoir, Ferne Clyffe State Park and ponds at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, and Giant City State Park all serve as additional community resources where youth can fish, explore, and learn about the world around them.

As summer approaches and the school year ends, the work for Conservation Education Representatives is just beginning. Amid the busy summer scheduling, IDNR’s fishing programs give kids and parents the chance to slow down and connect with southern Illinois’s many natural resources. Perhaps, the program will remind them, as it does me each summer, just how lucky we all are to have such abundant natural beauty in our own backyard.