Our Daily Show! Scott- IDNR & Mountain Man- Duck Dynasty: Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair
GRAFTON – The Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair promises a fun day for fishing enthusiasts and newbies of all ages.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026, Pere Marquette State Park will host the 37th annual free fishing fair. Organizer Scott Isringhausen with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources promises a fun day with plenty to do.
“We’re going to have a good crowd, lots of people, and a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s really special.”
The fair features catch-and-release fishing, casting stations, knot-tying instruction, and a lot more. There will be 30 outdoor educational activities for families and kids to enjoy. Camo-the-Clown will bring a ton of fun, as will Wildheart and Twisted Cat Outdoors.
Isringhausen is especially excited for the First Fish Photo station, where kids catch a bluegill and pose for a photo, and the trout pond. Volunteers will actually clean the trout onsite so the kids can eat them.
“Any aspect of the fishing world, you’re going to find at the Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair,” Isringhausen said.
A few special guests will make the day even more fun. Jimmy Houston, a major name in the fishing world, and Mountain Man from “Duck Dynasty” will be at the fair to give autographs, take pictures, and answer questions.
Both men attended the fair last year and enjoyed the experience. Mountain Man shared that his favorite part is connecting with the youngest fishers and seeing their excitement as they learn the tricks of the trade.
“I enjoyed being with all the kids, watching them catch all the fish. It was just a blast. And then we’ve got Jimmy Houston on top of that,” Mountain Man said. “When you get me and Jimmy Houston together, it’s going to be good.”
Isringhausen expressed his appreciation for Mountain Man and Jimmy Houston. He believes both fishers are great people who will add a lot to the June 6 event.
“You will not find two better people than Jimmy Houston and Mountain Man,” he said. “Just to come to see those two is very much a privilege and something that it’s just worth coming to see, because these guys are as good as people as you’re ever going to meet.”
The fair is hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Pere Marquette State Park/Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Isringhausen also thanked “all of the generous sponsors” who came forward, including many local businesses and organizations. Their support allows the fishing fair to remain a free event, where every child leaves with a prize.
Isringhausen hopes many people come out to the fair on June 6. He has been a major organizer since the fair’s inception 37 years ago, and he loves bringing people together to share in one of his favorite activities. He hopes the event encourages more kids to learn how to fish and inspires more people to love the experience.
“There’s something, really, for everyone there,” he added. “Somebody that’s a couple of years old to somebody who’s 80 or 90 years old is definitely going to get some enjoyment out of the fishing fair.”
For more information about the Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair, click here.
