Outdoors shows: Master list for 2025 around Chicago and beyond
Master list of outdoors shows, classes, swap meets and major ice fishing events for the 2025 season.
If you have additions or tweaks, email (BowmanOutside@gmail.com) or contact me on Facebook (Dale Bowman), X (@BowmanOutside), Instagram (@BowmanOutside) or Bluesky (@BowmanOutside.bsky.social).
Nov. 3: The Early Show, Mayslake Peabody Estate, Oak Brook
Dec. 6-8: St. Paul Ice Fishing and Winter Sports Show, St. Paul RiverCentre, Minn.
Dec. 13-15: Wisconsin Ice Fishing Expo, EAA Grounds, Oshkosh, Wis.
Jan. 3-5: Let’s Go Fishing Show, Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville
Jan. 10-12: Tinley Park Fishing, Travel and Outdoor Expo, Tinley Park Convention Center
Jan. 8-12: Chicago Boat Show, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont
Jan. 17-19: Muskie Expo Chicago, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles
Jan. 17-29: Rockford RV, Camping & Travel Show, Indoor Sports Center, Loves Park
Jan. 18: Musky Swap Meet, Quad County Hawg Hunters chapter of Muskies, Inc., St. Charles Moose Lodge, Duane Landmeier, dlandmeier@frontier.com
Jan. 23-26: Chicagoland Fishing Expo, Schaumburg Convention Center
Jan. 30-Feb. 4: All-Canada Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, St. Charles
Jan. 31-Feb. 2: LVVA Ice Fishing Derby, Bangs Lake, Wauconda
Jan. 31-Feb. 2: Rockford Boat, Vacation & Fishing Show, Indoor Sports Center, Loves Park
Feb. 1: Island Lake Lions Club Ice Fishing Derby, Island Lake, headquartered at Eastway Park
Feb. 1-2: Captain Dan Keating Salmon Schools, Lake Michigan Angler, Winthrop Harbor
Feb. 1-2: Chicago Travel & Adventure Show, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont
Feb. 9: Henry Decoy Show, Three Sisters Park, Chillicothe
February 12-16: NWTF Convention & Sport Show, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Nashville, Tenn.
Feb. 13-16: Chicago RV & Camping Show, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont
Feb. 14-16 and 19-23: Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, Indiana State Fairgrounds
Feb. 14-16: Muskie Expo Milwaukee, Washington County Fair Park, West Bend, Wis.
Feb. 15: Salmon Unlimited Swap Meet, TBA
Feb. 15: Hoosier Coho Club's “Fish Tales and Tackle Sales Swap Meet,” LaPorte County Fairgounds, La Porte, Ind.
Feb. 21-23: Wisconsin Fishing Expo, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis.
Feb. 27-March 2: Illinois Boat Show, Lake County Fairgrounds, Grayslake
March 1: Fish & Hook Sports Show, VFW Post 5788, Lockport
March 7-9: National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic, Kansas City Convention Center, Kansas City, Mo.
March 7-9: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, Wis.
March 7-9: Canoecopia, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis.
March 8: Indoor Fishing Flea Market, Rolling Meadows High School
March 13-16: Illinois Taxidermist Association convention, Northfield Inn & Suites, Springfield
March 13-16: Ultimate Sports Show, DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, Mich.
March 15: Fox River Valley chapter of Muskies Inc.'s annual banquet, Schaumburg Golf Club
March 21-23: Illinois Deer Classic, Peoria Civic Center
March 21-23: Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo, Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas
March 22: Riverside Fishing Club swap meet, Berwyn Moose Lodge
April 22-26: North American Vintage Decoy & Sporting Collectibles Show, Westin Chicago Lombard
Aug. 21-24: Chicago International Boat Show, Navy Pier Marina, Chicago