Wednesday, May 21st, 2025

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Wednesday, May 21st, 2025

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Kathy Andrews Wright

Committee keeps focus on angler concerns in greater Chicago region

Nine times a year, a group assembles to discuss a topic they have a vested interest in – fishing the greater Chicago region.
The Chicago Fishing Advisory Committee, formerly known as the Mayor’s Fishing Advisory Committee, was established by Mayor Richard M. Daley in advance of the 2000 Bassmasters Classic in Chicago. The impetus for the committee was a result of an uproar created by the fishing community after a road leading to the Horseshoe pier at Montrose – a route that provided considerable fishing access – was removed.

Committee keeps focus on angler concerns in greater Chicago region Read More »

Important steps are required to land in Illinois’ fishing record book

Once in a blue moon, the fish at the end of the line of a long-fought battle is a personal best – and just may be a contender for a state record. Remarkably, from 2021 to 2022, 10 Illinois state records were broken, and already in 2024 one record-breaking fish has been certified.
Nerissa McClelland, a DNR fisheries biologist who also coordinates the Record Fish Program, explained that one reason for the increase in record-breaking fish is that “As a community, each and every day fish managers and scientists understand more about aquatic ecosystems and managing fish communities.”

Important steps are required to land in Illinois’ fishing record book Read More »

Illinois DNR’s 2024 Fishing Guide features saugeye, ’23 state records

One of Illinois’ popular Illinois sportfish, the saugeye, graces the cover of DNR’s 2024 Illinois Fishing Information Guide.
Inside, rules and regulations for the upcoming year are provided, along with information on the state’s ongoing lake sturgeon program. The new edition contains regulations that take effect on April 1, 2024 and runs through March 31, 2025.

Illinois DNR’s 2024 Fishing Guide features saugeye, ’23 state records Read More »

Chance to hook a stocked rainbow trout returns Oct. 21 at several Illinois sites

In about a month – on Oct. 21 to be exact – anglers will stand along the shorelines of nearly 60 ponds, lakes, and streams throughout Illinois, anxiously watching the clock.
At the stroke of 5 a.m., lines will be cast into the water. It’s Illinois fall trout season.
“Our catchable trout program is a fun and popular family activity, and a great opportunity to introduce children to fishing,” said Mike McClelland, chief of DNR’s Division of Fisheries.

Chance to hook a stocked rainbow trout returns Oct. 21 at several Illinois sites Read More »

Huge tank featuring state’s native fish returns with Illinois State Fair

More impressive to State Fair visitors is what’s inside the massive tank as it showcases native fishes of Illinois, including flathead, blue and channel catfish, striped bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass, bowfin, buffalo, and all four species of gar.
Thanks to the work of DNR fisheries biologists, those fish are impressive.

Huge tank featuring state’s native fish returns with Illinois State Fair Read More »

Fish, anglers benefit from Mississippi River collaboration across state boundaries

As a new employee, the first task assigned to DNR fisheries biologist Dan Sallee was to join a team of other biologists in a study of backwater lake management techniques. It was 1980 and the study area was Burnt Pocket, one of a series of Mississippi River floodplain lakes south of Keithsburg, Ill.
In some regards, that team was unique, as it consisted of three Illinois Department of Conservation (now DNR) fisheries biologists, with another eight from the Iowa DNR and several from each the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Fish, anglers benefit from Mississippi River collaboration across state boundaries Read More »

The Fishing Teacher, Eileen Rice, inducted into Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame

The 2023 Illinois Conservation Foundation Outdoor Hall of Fame nomination of first-grade teacher Eileen Rice was a chance for Chauncey Niziol to recognize – and thank – a schoolteacher who he feels embodies Mother Nature in the classroom.
“As a member of the Illinois Conservation Foundation’s Outdoor Hall of Fame, I have always felt this award is not something for the people who are doing something for themselves, but those who are undertaking projects that will affect the outdoor lives of our children for generations to come,” said Niziol.

The Fishing Teacher, Eileen Rice, inducted into Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Read More »

Two nutria, a hugely destructive invasive, caught by beaver trapper in southern Illinois

Nutria, one of the planet’s most ecologically harmful invasive species, are coming to Illinois.
Actually, some of them are already here. Since 2019, a handful of credible reports indicate that nutria – a beaver or muskrat-looking animal – are making their way northward into the state. On April 11, the Wall Street Journal reported that two of the creatures were caught in beaver traps in southern Illinois in 2022.

Two nutria, a hugely destructive invasive, caught by beaver trapper in southern Illinois Read More »

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