Lincoln Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
North Pond Casting Pier
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Photographed by Daniel Barriball, September 19, 2026
1. North Pond Casting Pier Marker
The current North Pond casting pier was constructed in 1946 by the Lincoln Park Casting Club, known today as the Chicago Angling & Casting Club. A popular venue for birders and nature lovers alike, this structure is dedicated to preserving and promoting the art and sport of bait, spin and fly casting—while in a natural environment within the city of Chicago.
The North Pond casting pier has been the site of multiple national and regional casting competitions and introduced thousands of Chicagoans, young and old, to the art and sport of casting—a tradition that continues to this day.
The Chicago Angling & Casting Club, with support from the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Angler's Club of Chicago, Elliott Donnelley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters maintains this pier for the enjoyment and teaching of the art of casting.
Stemming from one of the oldest organized casting clubs in the world, the Chicago Angling & Casting Club traces its roots back to the 1891 founding of the Chicago Fly Casting Club. They hosted the world's first international casting tournament at the Columbian Exposition in
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[Caption:]
Chicagoans practice their casting skills at the North Pond in an earlier era.
Erected by Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1946.
Location. 41° 55.589′ N, 87° 38.131′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Lincoln Park. It can be reached from North Cannon Drive north of West Fullerton Avenue, on the left when traveling north. This marker stands just west of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum at the entrance of the path leading to the North Pond Casting Pier. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago IL 60614, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Chicago’s North Side. It is also in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, September 19, 2026
2. North Pond Casting Pier Marker in context
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool (approx. 0.2 miles away); Theurer/Wrigley House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini (approx. ¼ mile away); Penguins Need Protection (approx. ¼ mile away); Reebie Storage Warehouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Penguin Colonies (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
More about this marker. The World's Columbian Exposition took place in Chicago in 1893, not 1891 as the marker says.
Also see . . . Cast in Time: The Legacy of Sport Casting in Chicago. North Pond Casting Pier A detailed history of the sport of casting in Chicago.
Among the concerned anglers, Will Dilg, long time member of the Chicago Fly Casting club, emerged as the leader. On January 14, 1922 he convened(Submitted on October 4, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana.)a meeting at the Chicago Athletic Club of a group of 54 Chicago anglers, over 40 of whom belonged to one of the four major Chicago casting clubs. Charles Antoine, the V L & A owner and C.F.C.C. founder was there. So was Bill Jamison. So was Preston Bradley, founder of the Peoples Church of Chicago – and anglers from many other walks of life, all interested in doing something to save the fish. That day they formed the Isaac Walton League of America, the first grassroots conservation organization, in order to advocate for ethical angling, better fish laws, clean water and other measures to protect and preserve our outdoor resources. Will Dilg became its first President. Two years later, the Isaac Walton League had over 100,000 members nationwide and Will Dilg had successfully advocated in Washington for the establishment of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge on his beloved Mississippi River.Photographed by Daniel Barriball, September 19, 20263. Casting TargetsThis view is looking southwest over North Pond from the casting pier. The circles on the water are casting targets.
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, September 19, 2026
4. Skyline View
The view looking north over North Pond from the casting pier.
Photographed by Daniel Barriball, September 19, 2026
5. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The view looking east from the casting pier toward the museum, with more casting targets visible on the water.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 4, 2026, by Daniel Barriball of Chesterton, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
