Chicagoland’s Most Accessible Fishing Show is Bigger in 2026

Chicago, IL – September

The Tinley Park FISHING, Travel & Outdoor Expo is growing much bigger and adding more fishing exhibits for February 2026. All about fishing tackle, rods, reels, electronics with more boats, the expo adds 27 booths and a Hawg Trough.

Chicago’s Longest Running Fishing & Outdoors Expo is growing over 20% in size and emphasizing fishing tackle, bass and walleye boats, fishing electronics and fishing experts. 167 booths for tackle, fishing guides, fishing resorts, hunting, camping and outdoors will offer Chicago fishing fans a winter learning opportunity to get ready for fishing and hunting. The addition of 20% more booths will solidify the Expo as a top destination for learning to fish in Chicago. 

The Tinley Park Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo is now held in the South Side’s best convention venue and now features the newest fishing rods, reels, lures and fishing electronics. Gone are the swap meet isles of used tackle. The expo over the past couple years has grown into Chicagoland’s world-class fishing. Added are Hall of Fame fishing experts, a giant Hawg Trough seminar series, more fishing tackle booths and fishing content. Show organizers are providing the best experience and easier way to get to great fishing exhibits, learn about the latest in fishing boats, electronics. Hands on opportunities for you with fishing tackle, rods, boats and also learn from the experts at the show.  Attend the Expo to see the region’s best fishing store exhibits and help to get you, your family and friends ready for the fishing season. Meet with fishing, camping and hunting resorts, charter captains and fishing guides to plan great trips and book your vacations.

Brand new this year at the fishing show, the Hawg Trough fishing tank seminar. In addition to more fishing exhibits and more fishing tackle, this expo will feature Hawg Trough fishing seminars. See bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish interact live with lures, baits and presentations. Top regional experts will help you learn to fish a the expo with live fish in a 40’ long tank with over 4,000 gallons of water. 

The shortest walk of any event and easiest parking are by far the best of any Chicago fishing show. The fishing show offers the shortest walk to either entrance at the Tinley Park Convention Center. From parking lot to show floor is as short as 110 feet, far closer than any show in Chicago’s history. Carpeted floors, easy access to restrooms and food at the show make this the best fishing show experience available.  Gone are the long walks through halls, shuttles from remote parking lots and a lot of concrete between visitor and show. Get inside the show in under a minute. Other shows and past shows suffered from quarter-mile walks to the entrance, remote lots and long hallways just to get to the ticket window. 

This year’s fishing show will feature added attendee entrance on the North End. The shortest walk to get into a show, no long hallways and parking right next to show doors will mean this year’s show will be the most accessible fishing show. A convenient drop-off out front makes handicapped assistance very easy. 15 feet from curb to entrance will make helping friends and family get inside very convenient and fast. The Tinley Park Fishing, Travel & Outdoors Expo is dedicated to being the most accessible family fishing and outdoors event in Chicagoland. 

This year features added fishing experts and fishing hall of fame members with increased fishing seminars, Learn at the Show™ and the brand new Hawg Trough fishing seminar.

The board of directors for the fishing expo has also decided to improve the atmosphere of the expo. Reduced loud sounds, removal of music and music performances will improve the show experience. The directors made the decision to remove loud speakers and distractions to provide an improved environment for learning fishing, boating, camping and kayaking at the show. 

Elvis has left the building. While some attendees enjoyed the fun of seeing performances, the show organizers have decided that the environment for conversation, learning about and seeing the new fishing rods, reels and lures is top priority.