Illinois’ Outdoor Calendar
A look at upcoming outdoors-related events from across Illinois published in the May 15, 2026 edition of Outdoor News.
Illinois’ Outdoor Calendar Read More »
May 12, 2026
Illinois Cuffs & Collars: Attempted selling of wild mallard ducklings
New reports from Illinois Conservation Police were not available from DNR as this issue of Illinois Outdoor News went to press. The following reports are from past CPO files.
Illinois Cuffs & Collars: Attempted selling of wild mallard ducklings Read More »
Southern Illinois man recognized for ‘record-threatening’ crappie
A southern Illinois man with a history of outdoor accomplishments came just a few ounces shy of breaking the Illinois state crappie record.
Not that the numbers mattered – he was actually fishing in Mississippi. But Barry Girten, of Crossville, did receive some national attention for the 4-pound, 1.6-ounce crappie he landed.
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First eagle born in Chicago in 100 years
Chicago’s piping plovers have some competition for attention. For the first time in more than 100 years, a bald eagle has been born inside the city’s limits, the Chicago Park District egg-statically announced Wednesday.
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Illinois Mixed Bag: Muskie Tournament Trail season opener won with 39-inch fish
Springfield — The Illinois Muskie Tournament Trail kicked off its 2026 season on April 25 with the Spring Classic Tournament on Wheel Lake at Banner Marsh.
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Fish salvage declared for small lake in Manito, Ill.
Manito, Ill. DNR issued a fish salvage declaration for the south lake at Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Tazewell County on May 5.
Fish salvage declared for small lake in Manito, Ill. Read More »
Feds say three rivers in Illinois are ‘critical habitat’ for endangered mussel species
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated three rivers in Illinois and several in Missouri as “critical habitat” areas for endangered species that play an important role in water quality.
The federal agency announced April 24 it was designating roughly 3,814 river miles across 17 states critical habitat for four endangered freshwater mussel species: the rayed bean, sheepnose mussel, snuffbox mussel and spectaclecase mussel.
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Bill upping size of otter, beaver traps advances in Illinois
A measure backed by the Illinois Trappers Association aimed at increasing the size of foothold traps used for beavers and otters in the state was scheduled for a Second Reading after passing out of the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee by a unanimous vote May 5.
Bill upping size of otter, beaver traps advances in Illinois Read More »
Carp trap installed at Rock Run Rookery in Illinois
A one-way trap has been installed in a channel that links the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Rock Run Rookery Preserve lake to the Des Plaines River as part of the battle to keep invasive carp from reaching Lake Michigan.
Invasive carp were first detected in the 84-acre former quarry in 2012.
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