Most of my childhood memories include a creek, a pond, a lake, or the woods. Whether I was wading, floating, or tromping, my upbringing heavily revolved around waterways and the critters that inhabited them. I knew that this way of life was in my blood, not only because of the many stories of my relative’s outdoor adventures, but because I felt, and still feel to this day, the most alive and the most myself when I am hunting or fishing. 

In 2024, with the on demand constant comparison of peers on social media, it seems to be getting more and more difficult to be sure of who you are and where you belong. We’re scrolling through endless feeds of how others want to be perceived and wishing our lives looked more like “that.” If you take a second to reflect on your mental state after a synthetic dopamine induced doom scrolling session, “alive” isn’t a word that will come to your mind. You deserve better!

Hooked On Fishing Park is a unique 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, located right here in East Peoria, that provides fishing opportunities to youth, senior citizens, military veterans, families, and individuals with special needs. We partner with and provide outdoor programming to organizations that serve our target demographic. Some examples of these organizations include; TCRC, HISRA, Goodwill, Peoria Park District, Morton Park District, Wildlife Prairie Park, Family Core, East Peoria High School Best Buddies, Accolade Healthcare, various Boy/Girl Scout troops, along with many care facilities, schools, camps, and churches. 

Our goal is to get people in the outdoors and introduce them to a way of life that we have experienced and can attribute to a better quality of life and better mental health. In our 2024 season, we hosted over 4,000 individuals who visited our park throughout the week with their groups as well as families and individuals on our Family Fishing Days on Sundays from 12–4pm. We try to take away all of the excuses to not go fishing or to not take your kids fishing by providing well stocked ponds, bait (hotdogs and corn), all of the necessary equipment, and a team of volunteers to teach and assist you in your journey to becoming an angler. 

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the East Peoria community for your support of our mission by your donations of time, equipment, and funds. We rely solely on donations and volunteers to do what we do and are always on the lookout for more of both. To get involved with Hooked On Fishing Park or for more information, please visit our website hookedonfishingpark.org or follow us on Facebook for real-time updates of what’s going on at our park or our mobile unit events. Our season drew to a close on October 13th but will resume on the first Sunday in May 2025! 

Hooked On Fishing Park is located at 1807B N Main St. East Peoria and can be reached at (309) 216-4075 with questions about our facility, our services, and donation and involvement questions.