MidwestAngler > Chicago Fishing Club

Why Attend the Chicago Fishing School & Join the Chicago Suburban Fishing Club?

1. Purchase a gift membership now and recieve free fishing gear including a float, hooks and fish remover tool- a $10 value! gift one or renew today!
2. You want to learn local fishing tactics
3. You want to teach/learn to fish with a friend
4. Family activity, teaching, fishing with child, neighbor
5. You want to learn about local fish
6. You watch all the TV shows, but they don't help
7. Meet new anglers locally
8. You think fishing in Wisconsin or Canada is the "only place" and that fishing around Chicago is bad (WRONG!)
9. You are brand new to fishing in Chicago but want to learn
10. You want to learn in a non-pressured atmosphere
11. You are frustrated by size or number of fish you catch
12. You want 10% off any individual fishing lesson!

New Chicago Fishing School Website:

INFO: We have a brand new website to get information. Visit ChicagoFishingSchool.com for more information regarding our fishing club. There you can find a blog, event schedule and a way to RSVP for events.

Q: "Fishing "
A: Wow, that is the reason we started the fishing school. I used to think the fishing was horrible, and then I discovered I was using lures from Texas, Florida and Tennessee. These methods were the exact reason why I didn't catch any fish. They worked great on TV, but not on a lake around Chicago like in the Forest Preserves of Cook County. I used to fish all weekend for one or two fish.

Would it make you cry to hear that one of our guys caught 112 lb. of fish in 4 hours in Addison, IL?

How about 512 fish in 4 hours from a Forest Preserve in Alsip? 7 lb. to 25 lb. fish, yea we lock into those too. Fishing is incredible around the Chicago area and we can put you on the fish, with some helpful tips, you will be holding on for dear life- it is very possible to drive under :25 minutes to the most awesome fishing you have ever had!

Q:What will I expect from the membership?
A: You will be able to attend any of our 6 hour-long seminars featuring fish-catching tactics. This is the Fishing School portion of the membership which includes a 3-year educational format to teach you to really catch a lot of fish and big fish around Chicago. Start as a beginner and join any year in the cycle. General topics are taught each year and then worked into the teaching. By the 3rd year, you will be able to catch 15 lb. of fish in 4 hours every time out as well as land a 4 lb. fish in many of the ponds, lakes, rivers around Chicago. Also included in your membership are the many 4-hour fishing activities we schedule for your chance to measure your progress. All anglers in the School usually participate while some watch and learn during the session. At the end of our fishing, every member shows what they caught. This is THE BEST way to learn fishing around Chicago- period.

Q: "You Guys fish that European Style Gear"
A: Our tackle is US-style! European fishing tackle is DRAMATICALLY different and we are fishing park district lakes in Chicago- not Europe. You will learn techniques from experienced anglers including a member of the US Fishing Team (US of A)- not European which means you will learn to catch fish around here - American fish.

Q:"I am not into catching a lot of small fish"
A: The methods we use and teach often catch the largest fish in the area and can be applied to big channel catfish, large bass, huge walleye and even giant muskie. I don't think the (6) 24" walleye I caught on a recent fishing trip were small - or the 29.75" monster we landed in our boat. In fact, my small fish techniques helped me to catch the bait that the huge fish were attacking! Catching small fish is essential.

Q:"I go mainly for bass"
A: I will be the first to admit- our local lakes are so pressured for bass, it makes it tough on the angler to catch a bass over 12"- but our club even counts bass so if you want to come out and try it, we welcome bass anglers. Truth is bass account for fewer than 5% of the fish in the lake - so we figure, why limit ourselves to a handful of fish or just one species.

Q:"It's expensive to fish these club events"
A: Is a $45 membership expensive for several seminars, and fishing outings as well as an online tip sheet expensive? Many bass tourneys cost you $250 - $1,200 per outting!

We offer many discounts including a 2-angler for $42.75 each (use the family fishing club sign-up). There are zero fees the rest of the season including our annual club outing/social. If you wish to fish our regional competitions or championship, there will be optional fees for these events. You will have the benefit of being able to learn during club seminars, from other members as well as receive a 25% discount on any private sessions or guided trips.

Q:"I don't want to compete"
A: Valid point. Most of our fishing club members come for the seminars and the fishing. This is the very reason we switched to a fishing school and educational club.

Yes, we have competitions, but they are simple. Some clubs used to be really intense and their focus was on rules, weights and techniques- let's face it, getting beaten badly by a couple of serious anglers with specialized gear and rules on their home waters is no fun.

There is no pressure at all to compete-ever! We fish 4 hours and "draw for spots" is so you can see what was caught by your neighbors and how they did it.

We gather at the same time so you can adjust your fishing, improve your tactics and transition some of your gear to catching more fish. It is pretty neat to look down the row and see someone landing a big fish. Many an angler came "just to watch" and now has caught the fishing bug. Truth is, you only compete with 1 person, yourself.

We are easy going and unlike European anglers in many ways.

Q:"You fish those Thill -style floats"
A: Yes, we do- but we also fish other methods. The truth is the Thill -style floats you buy in the store aren't as good as some others we have. But, the concept is the same and if you really want to learn how to float fish- come on out. This year we are also adding lures to our teaching so you will have a well-rounded angling education for fishing our local ponds

Q:"I fish in Canada & Wisconsin"
A: Wow, reason number 2 for the club- it made me a much better angler when I went on any fishing trip! Also, how sad is it to only go fishing for 7 days out of a year? With great fishing nearby, a group of people willing to show you some local fishing rigs, why don't you get out the stuff. A wise old angler said to me many times- they don't just go out and play a baseball game and hit homeruns. If you want to get better, you need practice and experience.. There are so many great places to fish, you might be 5 minutes from a lake that has really great fishing, why do you need to drive 14 hours? Get out here and fish.

Q:"I don't want to catch hundreds of fish"
A: Fine, come out and fish and learn a little.- we still think catching a lot of fish is a good problem to have..