About
Chicago Fishing School offers kids’ fishing camps, group fishing classes, fishing lessons, and guided fishing sessions that can include half-day or full-day trips. The program also runs fishing parties, kids’ parties, corporate fishing events, scout group fishing events, and boat guided sessions and lessons. Guided fishing is customized to the group’s wishes and can include 2-hour fishing sessions, half-day fishing trips, full-day fishing lessons, and evening–morning double sessions with lodging costs added to the two half-day sessions.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Camps took place in June, July and August, with private sessions on a boat available April–October; weekends run 6:00AM–8:00PM, and weekdays are by appointment or request, with options for 2-hour, half-day, full-day, and evening–morning double sessions
• Price: The format makes 4, 5 or 6 people under $100 per person for a 1/2 day of fishing, with a base rate and lower cost to add more fishers
Chicago Fishing School is led by Johnny Wilkins, a Chicago fishing guide, US Fishing Team member, and 3-time USA Fishing World Championships Team member who is described as the top fishing tackle expert in the region. Johnny has been a Chicago fishing guide and teaching fishing for over 20 years and has fished World Championships for Team U.S.A. in Portugal, Belgium, and Italy after qualifying as one of the five best American anglers. He currently holds the world record for most fish caught from shore in a 24-hour period, with 2,011 fish caught on one hook, and provides expert help as part of the program.
The program supplies all needed equipment, including gear, tips, and premium live fishing bait, and states that participants do not need to bring any equipment. Chicago Fishing School specializes in all-species fishing and live bait tactics for bluegill, walleye, crappie, trout, catfish, and carp, and uses Speedfishing™ patent-pending fishing methods that are described as eliminating the waiting. The program also notes that it can help with discounted lodging, tips on where to stay, and places to eat, and that guided boat lessons focus on learning a lake, boat control, electronics, and fishing tactics that catch in tough conditions.
Chicago Fishing School reports hosting many corporate fishing events and kids’ parties, and notes that any group can book a fishing party that includes flying fish, thrills, competition, or discovery for kids from 4–84, with no prior experience needed. One scout group of 13 is reported to have landed 385 fish in 2 hours on what is described as a horrible day in October, and the program states that a park district group of the same size fished after them and caught zero fish. Testimonials describe the Chicago Suburban Kid's Fishing Camps as “AWESOME,” and mention a child visiting from Cincinnati who caught his biggest fish ever and had his picture in the paper.
Chicago Fishing School states that its instructor will pass on skills learned on three continents, with multiple World Championship appearances, regional competitions, and high-level fishing expertise. The program also notes that a new how-to-fish video series is launching, that families can send kids to Johnny’s Fishing Camp around the Chicago suburbs, and that LiveBaitFishingTackle.com carries hard-to-find fishing tackle not found in stores. The program uses the phrase “Chicago Fishing School - ‘We are why they call it catching’” to describe itself.
Last updated January 12, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Camps took place in June, July and August, with private sessions on a boat available April–October; weekends run 6:00AM–8:00PM, and weekdays are by appointment or request, with options for 2-hour, half-day, full-day, and evening–morning double sessions
• Price: The format makes 4, 5 or 6 people under $100 per person for a 1/2 day of fishing, with a base rate and lower cost to add more fishers
Chicago Fishing School is led by Johnny Wilkins, a Chicago fishing guide, US Fishing Team member, and 3-time USA Fishing World Championships Team member who is described as the top fishing tackle expert in the region. Johnny has been a Chicago fishing guide and teaching fishing for over 20 years and has fished World Championships for Team U.S.A. in Portugal, Belgium, and Italy after qualifying as one of the five best American anglers. He currently holds the world record for most fish caught from shore in a 24-hour period, with 2,011 fish caught on one hook, and provides expert help as part of the program.
The program supplies all needed equipment, including gear, tips, and premium live fishing bait, and states that participants do not need to bring any equipment. Chicago Fishing School specializes in all-species fishing and live bait tactics for bluegill, walleye, crappie, trout, catfish, and carp, and uses Speedfishing™ patent-pending fishing methods that are described as eliminating the waiting. The program also notes that it can help with discounted lodging, tips on where to stay, and places to eat, and that guided boat lessons focus on learning a lake, boat control, electronics, and fishing tactics that catch in tough conditions.
Chicago Fishing School reports hosting many corporate fishing events and kids’ parties, and notes that any group can book a fishing party that includes flying fish, thrills, competition, or discovery for kids from 4–84, with no prior experience needed. One scout group of 13 is reported to have landed 385 fish in 2 hours on what is described as a horrible day in October, and the program states that a park district group of the same size fished after them and caught zero fish. Testimonials describe the Chicago Suburban Kid's Fishing Camps as “AWESOME,” and mention a child visiting from Cincinnati who caught his biggest fish ever and had his picture in the paper.
Chicago Fishing School states that its instructor will pass on skills learned on three continents, with multiple World Championship appearances, regional competitions, and high-level fishing expertise. The program also notes that a new how-to-fish video series is launching, that families can send kids to Johnny’s Fishing Camp around the Chicago suburbs, and that LiveBaitFishingTackle.com carries hard-to-find fishing tackle not found in stores. The program uses the phrase “Chicago Fishing School - ‘We are why they call it catching’” to describe itself.
Last updated January 12, 2026.
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