Youth from across Illinois can head into the great outdoors to participate in the statewide 4-H Hooks Us Together Virtual Fishing Challenge each spring!

While competition is the focus, participating youth take away much more from the experience. The intention of this contest is to advance the interest, or spark, of fishing passions to a higher level. There are over 100,000 less fishing licenses sold now than 20 years ago and we hope these contests will help show more youth the benefits of the sport.

Go fish! The 2025 Illinois 4-H Hooks Us Together Fishing Tournament is on with April through June challenges!

Prizes Sponsored By: Steve Moffitt, 4-H Fish Camp All-Star Volunteer

Eligibility and Rules: Open to all 4-H members from Illinois, but to win prizes these requirements must be met:

1. Must be a current year Illinois 4-H member and enrolled in a 4-H Sport Fishing Project.

2. All Illinois Department of Natural Resources fishing regulations must be followed

You will need a smart phone to take a picture of your catch (use this link once the tournament opens in April: go.illinois.edu/fish4H) In the picture, you must clearly show the length of the fish in inches (take a picture of the fish with a tape measure for proof). 

Gift certificate prizes will be awarded for the longest fish each month! The dates are as follows:

  • April 1-30, Crappie 
  • May 1 – 31, Largemouth Bass
  • June 1-30, Channel Catfish