Peoria Chapter

of the Izaak Walton League of America

About IWLA

At the turn of the 20th century, uncontrolled discharges of industrial waste and raw sewage, unrestricted logging, and soil erosion threatened to destroy the nation’s most productive waterways. In 1922, 54 hunters, anglers and conservationists declared that it was “time to call a halt” to this destruction. They formed a new organization to combat water pollution and protect the country’s woods and wildlife. As a reminder of their purpose, they named the organization after Izaak Walton, the 17th-century English angler-conservationist who wrote the literary classic The Compleat Angler.

The Izaak Walton League of America soon became one of the nation’s preeminent advocates for sustainable use of our country’s natural resources. Almost every major, successful conservation program of the past 100 years can be traced to a League activity or initiative. Today, our more than 42,000 members and 200 community-based chapters are building on the accomplishments of those who preceded them as defenders of the nation’s soil, air, woods, waters and wildlife.


Who We Are

The Peoria Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America received its charter on June 2, 1948. 

With great ambition on educating the public on the importance of conservation of the soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife, the membership commenced on locating a quality location to build a clubhouse. The first building of our current clubhouse was completed in 1958. Two additions were added later by the members, mostly tradesmen, which encompasses our current clubhouse with a large hall, kitchen, and restroom facilities. We have two lakes used for fishing for our members and paddle boating during certain functions throughout the year.

Today, with over  60 members, our Chapter continues its endeavors in acting on and the education of conserving our natural environment.

What We Do

As like-minded conservationists such as anglers, hunters, and nature lovers of all walks of life, we work locally to promote our conservation mission. Our Chapter's primary interests are focused on local clean water issues including watershed and wetlands protection. We advocate sustainable living and encourage outdoor users to protect our valuable natural resources while they continue to enjoy the "Great Outdoors." We have an "Adopt A Highway" litter pick up at different scheduled times.  We accept aluminum cans for recycling to help keep them out of our landfills. The proceeds go towards stocking our lakes.  When you arrive in our parking lot, you will see a "Memorial Garden" with wildflowers. This was created in an effort to save the bee population.

Memberships

If you are interested in membership,  please see our Membership Heading. An application is on that page which can be printed and mailed back with the fees which are also included on the page..

Find Us

We are located at 1125 Spring Bay Road, East Peoria, IL 

(Route 26 - 1.5 miles north of Route 116 & Route 26 intersection in East Peoria.  When you see Schaer's Market, look to the left for marker 1125, which almost directly across from a 55 MPH speed limit sign and turn left. Be careful when turning into the lane as it is one way and sometimes cars may be leaving through this entry or you may even see a deer or two standing in the lane.

There is also an Izaak Walton sign at our entrance. Please note, the speed limit on our entrance road is 10 mph. If you are stirring up dust, please slow down even more for consideration of our neighbor on the left.  At the end of the lane will be our yellow block brick clubhouse. The lakes are to the right. The 2nd lake is behind the 1st lake. When leaving, there is a lake in front of our neighbor's house. This lake is the neighbor's private  lake and fishing is not allowed in their lake.  

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Club Rentals 

Club rentals are available for a  discounted fee to members & a non-discounted rate to nonmembers for bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties, wedding receptions, celebrations of life receptions, nonprofit organization fund raisers, etc. The rate depends on how much space is needed.  Members need to have paid for two consecutive membership dues in order to get the rental discount.  This is  to detour people from joining just to get a rental discount. 

 For Club rental information call  Tom Miller at 309-338-7265.

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Camping

Camping is available to members only.

There are camping spots available on the garage side of the building. 

Camping Rules: Fees: Camping is for members only; Campers must sign and pay campers fee in advance.

Weekends start Friday at 4 pm and end Sunday at 4 pm; No camping when we have a club function or there is a rental either for the pavilion or the building.

Parents are responsible for their children; No swimming in the lakes; No ATV’s or mini-bikes allowed on grounds; 

If you have a fire, you must have a fire ring and when done, put ashes in our burn barrel.

When fishing in the lakes you must abide by the rules of the club and a fishing license is required following the law for the State of Illinois. The Board of Directors has the right to refuse service to anyone who isn’t following the rules. No drinking bottles allowed – cans only. Must have proof of insurance for all campers and provide a copy to keep on file. Please call Tom Miller at 309-338-7265 for camping rentals.