Learn to Fish | Chicago Fishing Club | Fishing Lessons in Chicago

Family sessions on the water can include neighbors, work friends, cousins as it is economical to add people to our small classes. Everyone will have fun and enjoy catching loads of fish. Opportunities for pictures and video for sure with your catch!

Learn to Fish Chicago!

The Chicago Fishing School (Formerly Midwest Anglers) is dedicated to teaching fishing to anglers and spreading fishing tips, knowledge and Chicago fishing classes. We saw a gap in local fishing knowledge in urban areas such as Chicago, and figured that we could form a fishing club for regular fishermen, a fishing club for families new to fishing and even seasoned anglers who are frustrated in their local fishing and wanted to (re) learn to fish.

You are not alone. Many of us struggle to catch fish in the Chicago fishing scene because there are 100's of anglers per square mile and not enough "TV fish" to go around. The great thing about learning to fish from anglers & teachers in our fishing club is that these methods work to find you more fish, larger fish & fish that are not "active" when you go fishing. The walleye pictured below was caught using a rig I use in Chicago to catch fish right here, it's simple and I use it all the time! Oh yes, I have fished around Chicago and used to struggle to catch a few fish on a day. I always would resort to trying to catch one fish- want to learn to fish - sign up for the club

Classes & Seminars

Club members save 10% on all fishing instruction private lessons!!

$135 On Water Fishing Class 3 hours - Individual fishing instruction
Add additional anglers to your private session for just $35 more!
Bait Additional $10 - $15 depending on the class.
Classes available for new angler, parent or experienced angler. Everyone will become more confident in one or two lessons and everyone will catch many more fish after a couple of lessons (and club event attendance - practice!)

$195 On Water Fishing Class 6 hours - Full Day Individual Fishing Instruction
Add additional anglers to the all-day package for just $55 more.
Bait Additional $10 - $15 depending on the class.

Fishing Classes Offered:
Beginning Fishing - Fishing Skills & Knowledge for New Anglers/Parents
Intermediate Fishing - Improve Your Catch in Cook & , Lake, Will & DuPage County
Intermediate Fishing - Attract Fish , Big Fish or Lots of FIsh
Advanced Fishing - Stalk Big Fish or Catch 100 fish a session
Call 630-235-2162 to discuss which class is right for you or to discuss open dates and lake locations near you. These classes make the perfect kid's birthday party gift.

Chicago Fishing Seminars
Seminars are held every other month in and around Chicago to teach fishing. Fishing Tips, fishing Chicagoland's waters and species are covered in the seminars. Admission to the seminars is on a reservation basis! Seminars will be lead by experienced anglers who have competition experience including World Championship fishing, and US Competitions.

Learn to Fish Without Driving
With gas heading to the $4.00 per gallon range, driving less to fish around Chicago, while catching fish is the way to go. I know you have it in reverse drive 2 hours to get to your spot, fish all day, get tired and then hop back on the highway sunburned, out $50 (or more) and down a day. What I will teach can get you on the water in under 15 minutes, fishing in :30 minutes and catching a load of fish. Before you would be into your packed sandwiches, or done filling out the boat rental papers, you could be landing fish right near home faster!

Chicago Fishing Classes and Suburban Fishing Seminars
Experienced anglers share tips, tricks, venue information as well as more advanced information on catching fish in the Chicago area lakes. The main fishing club is located in Chicago's Southwest suburbs and fishes at many public urban lakes. In the Spring we offer free fishing classes to wet angler's lines and give you a taste of a big bag of fish. No I don't stand in a classroom teaching fishing if I can help it. Our fishing classes are held on the water and, yes, I do enjoy catching (and releasing) a huge bunch of fish while teaching. You won't believe the success of this fishing system for Chicago. These seminars teach you the best fishing tackle to use in Chicago and fishing methods that will help you enjoy the park district lakes and forest preserves of Chicago and it's suburbs a great deal!

Lakes we hold fishing classes at include Arlington Heights, Wheaton, Palatine , Downer's Grove, Skokie , Joliet, Elgin, Plainfield, Frankfurt, Chicago, Prospect Heights, and Villa Park.

Fishing classes are held at: Plum Grove Reservoir, Churchill Woods, Barth Pond. Fox River, Cricket Creek, Lake Arlington, Skokie Lagoon and other lakes around Chicago. Chicago Park District lakes, DuPage County lakes and other public lakes are fished by the club. sign up for the club

New to fishing?
New anglers are encouraged to attend our outings and fish with us in the competitions. The fishing club is for new anglers and family anglers who are wishing to meet new people and learn a little more about catching fish.

Our fishing club will offer 3ree Spring events so you can meet, get a taste and learn a little. Membership is open from all year long as there are online learning sessions throughout the year which you can benefit, and seminars that you can attend to learn.

During outings the angler is free to fish at any pace they wish as there is no pressure. We feel that if you taste a little success and see some fish, pick up some fishing tips on local lakes, you will get excited and really enjoy fishing. 85% of all dues, prizes & awards go to building fishing, marketing and online materials- we want newer anglers & juniors!

Sponsors - all money raised from the club, promotions, website go to the promotion of fishing locally, marketing & angler education. 100% of sponsor donations go back to club members! Unlike some organizations who tend to hoard their gear they get from you, your donation will see the light of day, get to new users.

If you are frustrated with fishing locally in Chicago, think you can catch more than you normally do- this fishing club is for you.

For more information, drop me an e-mail and we will help you out with some more information or directions to our next event: john@midwestangler.com or call my cell phone 630-235-2162 (John Wilkins).

2010 Chicago Fishing School Club Dues

$65 Family Annual Membership

$45 1st year Adults

$35 1st year Jr Anglers

$35 1st year Good Folks
Teachers, Students, Military (and veterans), Seniors, Clergy, Police, Junior Anglers

Discounted Levels:
$65 1st year Groups
Family membership
& Two-angler membership

$35 annual 2nd Year, Renewal Memberships

Contact for club speaking, show seminars for rate, availability

Club fees cover all regular season admission to events, seminars, competitions