Illinois DNR stocked 674,200 largemouth bass in lakes and rivers across the state last year, which sounds like a big number.
But it’s small-time compared to the nearly 13 million saugers and more than 5 million walleyes collected by fisheries biologists from DNR’s hatchery system and set free in state waters for anglers to someday catch – if the creeks don’t rise and luck is on their side.
Home » Home Page News » Big fish, tiny fish and odd fish – Illinois DNR stocked 22.6 million of them
Big fish, tiny fish and odd fish – Illinois DNR stocked 22.6 million of them
SUBSCRIBER CONTENT
Read this article now.
Create a free Outdoor News account.
Create a free account below to get instant access to this article, thousands of Outdoor News stories, and our digital editions. Your 1-month trial starts the moment you sign up.
No credit card required
No credit card required
Subscriber? Login Here.
Share on Social
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Hand-Picked For You
Minnesota’s Outdoor Calendar
Staff Report
September 16, 2026
Minnesota Cuffs & Collars: 13-year-old has memorable waterfowl weekend
Staff Report
September 16, 2026
Pro Hunting Tip of the Week: Don’t give up on your bear season
Holly Stilwell
September 16, 2026
Minnesota’s statewide fishing and hunting report on Sept. 16, 2026
Staff Report
September 16, 2026
Steve Carney: Getting familiar with Minnesota DNR’s new mobile app, and a red-tailed hawk encounter
Steve Carney
September 16, 2026
Minnesota DNR proposes permanent lead ammo ban for Keystone Woods Wildlife Management Area
Tori McCormick
September 15, 2026
Related Articles

Steve Carney: Getting familiar with Minnesota DNR’s new mobile app, and a red-tailed hawk encounter
Steve Carney
September 16, 2026
For those not reading their Outdoor News, the DNR has changed its format for tagging and registering your deer and

Yeah, it has slabs and perch, but let’s talk Loon Lake’s walleyes in Minnesota’s Blue Earth County
Glen Schmitt
September 16, 2026
“Anglers definitely go there to find fish to eat and those walleyes certainly do well in this shallow, turbid system,”
Minnesota’s Outdoor Calendar
Staff Report
September 16, 2026
A look at upcoming outdoor-related events from across Minnesota published in the Sept. 18, 2026 edition of Outdoor News.