About HOF:

 “Having the ponds re-open with kids and seniors in mind is a nice tribute to my father,” -Jim Dixon (Owner of Dixons)

“The mission of Hooked on Fishing is simple: to teach the sport and joy of fishing to local children, special needs groups and seniors by providing the location, equipment and education free of charge.” -Heather Nena (Board Member)

“Our goal is to produce life-long anglers that will gain appreciation for the outdoors.” –Heather Nena (Board Member)

“Anyone wishing to schedule an event can contact Hooked on Fishing to arrange a date for their outing.” –Dustin Seidel (Park Manager)

“Hooked on Fishing provides everything- fishing poles, bait, education and staff, refreshments.  All you have to do is schedule a time to come enjoy the park. ” –Dustin Seidel (Park Manager)

“It just sounded like a worthy effort to try to get people involved with fishing who don’t necessarily have an opportunity, especially kids.” “It’s really an impressive facility. They did it up right.” –Kevin Patton, volunteer from Washington, IL

“Everybody that comes here, I want them to have a good time and to go home through the gate with a smile on their face.” I do not see a downside to this project.” –Mike O’Reilly (Founder of HOF)

About the Property:

“Hooked on Fishing leased the ponds next to Dixon’s Seafood Shoppe and undertook a massive restoration project, including cleaning  the artesian wells that feed the property’s three man-made ponds, brush clearing and landscaping, and constructing new wheelchair accessible sidewalks, fishing pier and large shelter.” –Heather Nena (Board Member)

“We’re looking forward to seeing this unique property come alive again.” –Jim Dixon (Owner of Dixon's)

“Nobody really understood the complexity of this property until the (HOF) people approached me. They have a very solid background in property management and development.” –Jim Dixon (Owner of Dixon's)

"There's more to these fishing lakes than people think.  The individuals with Hooked on Fishing understand property. They have the background to do this project correctly," –Jim Dixon (Owner of Dixon's)

“The wonderful thing about this property is the artesian well spring water.” -Jim Dixon.  “When all of our wells are cleaned property, approximately 1.5 million gallons of spring water flows through those lakes every day.”  -Jim Dixon (Owner of Dixon's)

“The ponds are stocked with fish of nearly every variety and will be replenished when needed, though Hooked on Fishing will maintain a catch-and-release policy.” -Nate Herman (co-owner of Herman Brothers Pond Management)

"People think this water is all from the river, but it's actually from an aquifer." -Nate Herman (co-owner of Herman Brothers Pond Management)

"We can keep fish in here that nobody else can keep in central Illinois." That's because the constant flow of cold water creates a habitat suitable for rainbow trout and other species that wouldn't otherwise survive in stagnant pond water.” –Nate Herman (Co-Owner of Herman Brothers Pond Management)

"The concept and the facilities here really make this a one-of-a-kind deal." –Mike O’Reilly (Founder of HOF)

“All improvements done to the property were made according to specifications defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.” –Heather Nena (Board Member)

“A sidewalk leads to the fishing pier from the pavilion.  If someone is in a wheelchair, they won’t ever have the need to go off of the concrete to have access to pretty much the whole park, including wheelchair-accessible restrooms.” -Michael Lutes (Board Member)

“The restored pond area at Dixon's is safe and accessible for seniors, kids and mobility-impaired individuals.” –Heather Nena (Board Member)

"The ponds are at ground level with little or no incline; you can pretty much walk or wheel right up to them. Special care has been taken to ensure the area is safe for youth and the elderly," –Heather Nena (Board Member)

Volunteer Opportunities:

“We have a need for volunteers to help kids learn to fish one-on-one.” - Michael Lutes (Board Member)

“Anyone available who has knowledge of fishing and a joy of teaching and being around kids is needed.” –Michael Lutes (Board Member)

“In our first year of operation, we had approximately 20 volunteers.  We are looking to increase that number to over 100.” –Dustin Seidel (Park Manager)

"We're definitely looking forward to seniors' participation, and we're hoping they enjoy themselves and offer to help with the students and other groups through volunteering." –Megan Head (Park Volunteer)

Funding/Needs:

“This is a project funded 100 percent by donations.  We will never charge a senior, child or a person with disabilities to come down here and fish.  To do that, we will need to accept donations to fund this activity.  Any donation of any amount are welcomed and appreciated.” –Michael Lutes (Board Member)

"Hooked on Fishing is only as strong as the support it receives from the community, so the appreciation and importance of donations and sponsors can not be understated." - John OReilly (Board Member)

About the Park/Past:

“It was touted as the first fee-fishing lake in the country.” –Jim Dixon (owner of Dixon's)

“Our family started their well known business as Dixon’s Fisheries by pulling bullhead, channel catfish and carp from the Illinois River to sell to local consumers around 1896.” –Jim Dixon (owner of Dixon's)

“The property was primarily a swamp area when my grandfather and great-grandfather purchased the land in the 1920’s.  Soon afterward, they scraped out the first of three now-famous ponds with mule-drawn dredging equipment, allowing for year-round stocking of fish to sell to consumers.  During the winter, we would stock the pond with up to 80,000 pounds of live, “corn-fed” fish, giving us a major advantage over other area fish markets.” –Jim Dixon (owner of Dixon's)

“My father, Don Dixon, would be proud to see the effort Hooked on Fishing has put into restoring the spring-fed lakes and surrounding property.” –Jim Dixon (owner of Dixon's)

HOF Direction:

“It is our goal to increase the number of participants to over 2,000 for this upcoming season.” –Mike O’Reilly (Founder of HOF)

“I do not see a downside to this project-the opportunities here are endless.  ” –Mike O’Reilly (Founder of HOF)

“We have one year under our belt and are really looking forward to our future success.” – Mike O’Reilly (Founder of HOF)

“We have a team that is dedicated to seeing that Hooked on Fishing exceed expectations.” –Heather Nena (Board Member)