Sunday, November 8th, 2026

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Sunday, November 8th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Anthony Candia

Former Illinois DNR director joins Prairie Research Institute

Former DNR Director Marc Miller has landed back in Illinois – the Prairie Research Institute announced Jan. 16 that it had appointed Miller as its new deputy director.
Miller, who led DNR from 2009 to 2015, is known for spearheading resumption of the Illinois Conservation Congress and fighting to restore funding to DNR, which was struggling to recover after being drained of resources and staff when he took charge in February 2009.

Former Illinois DNR director joins Prairie Research Institute Read More »

Illinois angler takes overall title at Bassmaster high school fishing combine

Illinois angler Joe McNamara used a variety of skills to take top honors at the Bassmaster High School Combine on Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Alabama.
A junior at Boylan Catholic High School in Rockford, McNamara combined high scores in three challenges — Long-Distance Casting, Technical and Casting Accuracy — to finish as the Combine’s overall points winner (368 points), enough to take home the Overall Skills Competition trophy. McNamara also tied for the win in the Technical Challenge.

Illinois angler takes overall title at Bassmaster high school fishing combine Read More »

Illinois law lowers cost of fishing license for new, ‘lapsed’ anglers

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 2317 into law on Aug. 15, essentially giving “lapsed” Illinois anglers a chance to get back into fishing at a bargain price.
It’s $5 for those who qualify. It’s also a one-time deal.
The legislation, filed by State Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, significantly reduces the license fee for fishing or spearing for anyone 26 years old and older.

Illinois law lowers cost of fishing license for new, ‘lapsed’ anglers Read More »

New fish plant planned in southern Illinois would help remove carp from Ohio, Mississippi rivers

Copi from both the Mississippi River and Ohio River could soon be processed at a proposed fish plant to be built in southern Illinois.
Copi – the name given to Asian carp by the state last summer – would be processed in Alexander County on land currently owned by DNR. Two Rivers Fisheries, a western Kentucky company that launched operations across the Ohio River in 2012, is expected to purchase the parcel, which sits adjacent to Fort Defiance State Park and the city of Cairo.

New fish plant planned in southern Illinois would help remove carp from Ohio, Mississippi rivers Read More »

An endangered victory: Piping plovers released on Chicago lakefront

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Illinois DNR, and the Chicago Park District this month released federally endangered piping plover chicks back into the wild at Lake Michigan’s Montrose Beach.
The July 13 release marked the first time piping plovers have been released outside the state of Michigan.
“Releasing captive reared piping plover chicks in new locations helps to encourage the population to spread throughout the Great Lakes Region,” said Armand Cann, a USFWS biologist. “It’s a strategy to reduce the extinction risk to the population.”

An endangered victory: Piping plovers released on Chicago lakefront Read More »

Giant carp taken from Illinois waters showcase just how big these invasives can get

Days before commercial fishermen landed a 109-pound bighead carp on the Illinois River, Scott Battin broke two Illinois state bowfishing records – one that he himself had previously set.
On June 1, Battin was bowfishing on a private body of water in Logan County, Ill., when he arrowed the 50-pound silver carp, which was about seven pounds bigger than record silver he stuck in 2021. The next day, Battin was bowfishing in the same area when he lined up and shot a bighead carp weighing 92 pounds, 1.6 ounces.

Giant carp taken from Illinois waters showcase just how big these invasives can get Read More »

Ohio River fish kill along Illinois banks did not make a dent in invasive carp populations

A spring fish kill along the Illinois banks of the Ohio River seems to have subsided, but not before alarming a number of anglers.
Thousands of dead fish floated down the Ohio back in May and into June, littering the riverbank. Turns out, it was a typical seasonal event unofficially referred to as “Gas Bubble Disease. While many sportfish fell victim to this year’s kill, there was a silver lining – literally.

Ohio River fish kill along Illinois banks did not make a dent in invasive carp populations Read More »

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